SBA, Energy Department launch investment initiative for critical energy technologies
The SBIC-E Initiative will direct private capital toward nuclear power, grid equipment, critical minerals, traditional energy, and domestic supply chains.
The U.S. Small Business Administration and Department of Energy announced a joint initiative Aug. 24 aimed at attracting private investment to small businesses working in areas critical to domestic energy production.
Under the Small Business Investment Company-Energy Initiative, the Energy Department will identify priority technology, production, and supply-chain needs. The SBA will license and oversee participating investment funds that commit capital to those areas. The broader Small Business Investment Company program currently represents $58 billion in combined portfolio value.
Priority areas include traditional energy production, infrastructure, and storage; next-generation nuclear and baseload power systems; advanced materials, metals, and critical minerals; grid equipment and energy-system resilience; and specialized supply-chain technologies.
The initiative could provide a new source of growth capital for Oklahoma small businesses operating across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure supply chains. It follows the SBA’s recent announcement of a 90% loan guarantee for qualifying small businesses in the energy sector.
