Tester Helps Secure NASA Funding for Five Montana Businesses

Award recipients include small businesses from Bozeman and Polson

(BIG SANDY, Mont.) – Senator Jon Tester announced today that five of Montana’s cutting-edge small businesses will be receiving NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award.

Bozeman businesses ADvR, Bridger Photonics, Global Technology Enterprises and Resonon, along with S&K Global Solutions of Polson, will receive up to $125,000 each to research and commercialize technology that will support NASA’s future missions.

This announcement comes after Tester added language to the 2016 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill urging NASA to fund firms with fewer than 50 employees.

“These awards show once again that Montana is the greatest place in the world for ambitious entrepreneurs,” Tester said. “These five companies are doing amazing things, developing technologies that are not only applicable to big picture stuff like space travel, but that also benefit our local economies and consumers.”

The five local companies submitted specific proposals for projects that would “support the development of technologies in the areas of aeronautics, science, human exploration and operations, and space technology.” These projects include the development of new laser technologies, tools for increasing thermal conductivity, and instruments for measuring the effect of the moon on our planet. In addition to their application in space exploration, these projects also have potential commercial applications in sectors like the consumer electronics industry, the oil, gas and nuclear industries, and the commercial drone industry.

“This funding will support research and development of technology that will be used by everyone from NASA to the Navy,” said Pete Roos, CEO of Bridger Photonics. “We couldn’t be more excited and appreciative of Senator Tester’s support when it comes to investing in Montana’s small businesses and entrepreneurs.”

NASA received 1,278 applications for its SBIR program this year, which the agency winnowed down to 341 winners.