Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs Program (Tech Hubs)
Economic Development Administration (US Dept. of Commerce)
Tech Hubs is a CHIPS and Science Act program that designates regions positioned to become globally competitive innovation centers within about a decade, then funds a subset of those designated hubs to execute a strategy built around a specific critical technology (semiconductors, biotech, clean energy, and more).
Objectives
Authorized to spend up to $10B over five years (though actual appropriations have been far lower), Tech Hubs aims to spread advanced-technology economic growth beyond existing coastal hubs, strengthening US competitiveness and supply-chain resilience.
Who can apply?
- Applicants are regional consortia (a lead organization plus universities, companies, state/local government, and workforce partners), not individual startups applying directly.
- 31 regions were designated as official Tech Hubs in October 2023; a subset received Phase 2 implementation funding.
- A founder benefits by operating in a designated Tech Hub region and engaging with its consortium's programming.
What do you get?
- Phase 2 implementation awards ranged from about $19M to $51M per hub, totaling roughly $504M across 12 hubs in the first round.
- Designated (non-funded) Tech Hubs still gain a federal designation useful for attracting private and state investment.
How to apply
Individual founders don't apply directly — check EDA's Tech Hubs page for whether your region holds a designation, and connect with that hub's lead consortium organization.