Book Event: Deployed by Kevin De Cock
March 9, 2026 • 4:00 – 6:00 pm EDT
Hosted by Global Health Policy Center
Reauthorizing and Reforming the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
September 9, 2025 • 9:00 – 10:45 am EDT
The SBIR program has been a critical tool for U.S. government agencies to foster innovation across America’s startups and small businesses for more than forty years. In the past decade alone, SBIR awards have almost tripled to $6 billion annually. Eleven federal agencies participate in the SBIR program with the Department of Defense comprising about half of total awards, making the program a key tool for accelerating defense innovation for warfighter needs.
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Reauthorizing and Reforming the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program: Keynote Panel
Transcript — September 9, 2025
As the SBIR authorization period approaches its expiration on September 30th, there have also been numerous calls to reform the program to make it more effective and efficient in the development and delivery of innovation across government.
To address the future of SBIR, CSIS is thrilled to announce a keynote address by Iowa Senator Joni Ernst on this topic and her bill, the INNOVATE Act. A fireside chat will follow her address as well as an expert panel of industry leaders and policy experts that have direct experience with small business innovation.
This event is made possible through General Support to CSIS.
About Senator Joni Ernst
Senator Joni Ernst, a native of Red Oak, Iowa, has dedicated her life to her state and country, and currently represents Iowans in the United States Senate.
Joni was elected in 2014 as the first woman to serve in federal elected office from the state of Iowa and became the first female combat veteran elected to serve in the United States Senate. After 23 years of military service, she retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard.
She is working to grow a strong economy; stand up for Iowa farmers, families, and small businesses; hold Washington accountable, ensure a strong national defense, and support our veterans. As chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Ernst is committed to getting Washington out of the way and is working to streamline our regulatory system, so businesses have the certainty, confidence, and flexibility they need to invest and expand.
She also serves on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Senate Armed Services Committee, where she chairs the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities.
Agenda
Keynote Panel
9:00 am
Keynote Address:
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chair, Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and Chair, Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
Welcoming Remarks:
Emily Harding, Vice President, Defense and Security Department, and Director, Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program, CSIS
Moderator:
Dr. Jerry McGinn, Director, Center for the Industrial Base, CSIS
Expert Panel
9:30 am
Panelists:
Caleb B. Carr, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO, Vita Inclinata Technologies
Eric Kanagy, Founder and CEO, Simplesense
Ali Reza Manouchehri, Co-Founder and CEO, MetroStar
David Rothzeid, Principal, Investments, Shield Capital
Moderator:
Dr. Jerry McGinn, Director, Center for the Industrial Base, CSIS
Contact Information
- Shivani Vakharia
- Deputy Director, Congressional and Government Affairs
- SVakharia@csis.org
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Chair, Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and Chair, Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
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Vice President, Defense and Security Department; Director, Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program
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Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department