{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-coons-young-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-invest-in-startups-and-entrepreneurs-across-the-country/", "Senators Coons, Young introduce bipartisan legislation to invest in startups and entrepreneurs across the country", "2026-08-05", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Christopher A. Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", "coons", "https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) introduced the Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026, which would reauthorize the Economic Development Administration\u2019s (EDA) Build to Scale program through fiscal year 2030.\n\n\u201cDelaware is a state built on innovation. We know what it takes to turn a good idea into a thriving business: support, investment, and expertise,\u201d said Senator Coons. \u201cThis bipartisan bill brings those needed pieces to startups and entrepreneurs across the country, so Americans can continue to reach for their dreams, create jobs, and grow our economy.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s long-term economic strength depends on our ability to turn innovation into opportunity,\u201d said Senator Young. \u201cThe Build to Scale program helps entrepreneurs, universities, investors, and local organizations work together to develop new technologies, launch businesses, and create good-paying jobs. This legislation will ensure Hoosier innovators and communities across the country have the tools they need to compete in the industries of the future.\u201d\n\nSince 2014, the Build to Scale program has strengthened regional innovation ecosystems by supporting entrepreneurs, technology startups, and organizations that connect startups with the capital, infrastructure, and expertise needed to grow. The program has awarded more than $272 million to 426 projects across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, helping support more than 58,600 jobs and 6,200 startups.\n\nBuild to Scale funding is essential to Delaware\u2019s innovation economy. The Delaware Innovation Space (DISI) has received $2.25 million in funds through this program to advance Delaware entrepreneurs\u2019 access to state-of-the-art laboratory spaces. Reauthorizing funding for the Build to Scale programs would mean supporting Delawarean entrepreneurs and innovation.\n\nThe Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026 would:\n\nReauthorize the Build to Scale program through FY2030 at $50 million annually\n\nExpand access to capital for entrepreneurs and technology startups seeking to commercialize new ideas and products\n\nIncrease outreach to rural, trade-impacted, and economically distressed communities to reduce barriers to participation\n\nAuthorize cost-share waivers for certain economically distressed communities to reduce barriers to participation\n\nStrengthen coordination among the Economic Development Administration, National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and related federal innovation initiatives\n\nRequire the Department of Commerce to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity within 90 days of enactment to help accelerate grant availability\n\nThe Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in May by Representatives Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) and Jim Baird (R-Ind.).\n\nThis bill is supported by the Delaware Innovation Space and the Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP).\n\n\u201cEDA\u2019s Build to Scale program has played an instrumental role in strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem for scalable, science-based startups,\u201d said William D. Provine, Ph.D., president & CEO of the Delaware Innovation Space. \u201cIts support has helped us build more commercially viable companies that have crossed the \u2018valley of death\u2019 between scientific discovery and successful commercialization. In 2025, The Innovation Space and the companies we support generated an estimated $704 million in economic output and supported nearly 2,500 jobs across the United States. Reauthorizing Build to Scale will help more promising science-based companies reach the market, grow, and contribute to America\u2019s economic competitiveness.\u201d\n\n\u201cDelaware Prosperity Partnership strongly supports the reauthorization of the Build to Scale (B2S) Program. This legislation is an opportunity to strengthen Delaware\u2019s innovation economy by accelerating the commercialization of emerging technologies, expanding access to entrepreneurial resources, and fostering strategic partnerships among industry, academia, local accelerators, and government. With past EDA Build to Scale funding, The Delaware Innovation Space in Wilmington has been able to expand its support of regional and national science and technology startups and early-stage companies. Future B2S investment could enhance the state\u2019s capacity to grow and attract scalable startups, create quality jobs, increase access to capital, and reinforce Delaware\u2019s position as a cradle of innovation,\u201d says Becky Harrington, DPP\u2019s interim president and CEO.\n\nFurther endorsements of the Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026 include: SSTI, the Association of University Research Parks (AURP), Cornell University, Georgetown University\u2019s Office of Technology Commercialization, the Center on Rural Innovation, US Ignite, Launch Tennessee, JumpStart Inc., Rev1 Ventures, Arch Grants, mHUB, BioSTL, the Maryland Clean Energy Center, the Washington Technology Industry Association, and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.", 1, "2026-08-06T07:37:31Z", "2026-08-06T07:38:34Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-coons-young-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-invest-in-startups-and-entrepreneurs-across-the-country/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 6.240108050405979, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}