NASA Invested $45 Million, In Seeding Cutting-Edge , U.S. Space Businesses.br NASA is looking to accelerate the development br of new technologies at hundreds br of small aerospace businesses.br NASA is looking to accelerate the development br of new technologies at hundreds br of small aerospace businesses.br TechCrunch reports that the grant program br comes as part of a broader government goal br of seeding cutting-edge U.S. enterprises.br NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and br Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs br gave grants to 249 small businesses and 39 institutions.br NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and br Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs br gave grants to 249 small businesses and 39 institutions.br TechCrunch reports that each $150,000 grant br adds up for a total investment of $45 million.br Among those companies are Starfish Space, which br was given an SBIR grant to continue developing br its Nautilus docking and capture mechanism.br The Argo Space Corporation was awarded br a grant for its reusable transfer br spacecraft known as the Argonaut.br Winning an SBIR grant, in addition to the resources that it brings in, can connect the company to an agency like NASA, [which] builds relationships, provides access to experts and insight, Carissa Christensen, CEO and founder br of analytics firm BryceTech, via TechCrunch.br According to Carissa Christensen, CEO and founder of br BryceTech, the relatively small grants signal NASA's br potential interest in purchasing the tech in the future.br It’s a demand signal thatbr I think is relevant and that br I think investors value, Carissa Christensen, CEO and founder br of analytics firm BryceTech, via TechCrunch.br TechCrunch reports that companies involved in Phase 1 have the option to apply for an $850,000 Phase II grant as well as further opportunities.