Senators Coons, Young introduce bipartisan legislation to invest in startups and entrepreneurs across the country

WASHINGTON - 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's (EDA) Build to Scale program through fiscal year 2030.

"Delaware is a state built on innovation. We know what it takes to turn a good idea into a thriving business: support, investment, and expertise," said Senator Coons. "This 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."

"America's long-term economic strength depends on our ability to turn innovation into opportunity," said Senator Young. "The 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."

Since 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.

Build to Scale funding is essential to Delaware's innovation economy. The Delaware Innovation Space (DISI) has received $2.25 million in funds through this program to advance Delaware entrepreneurs' access to state-of-the-art laboratory spaces. Reauthorizing funding for the Build to Scale programs would mean supporting Delawarean entrepreneurs and innovation.

The Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026 would:

• Reauthorize the Build to Scale program through FY2030 at $50 million annually
• Expand access to capital for entrepreneurs and technology startups seeking to commercialize new ideas and products
• Increase outreach to rural, trade-impacted, and economically distressed communities to reduce barriers to participation
• Authorize cost-share waivers for certain economically distressed communities to reduce barriers to participation
• Strengthen coordination among the Economic Development Administration, National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and related federal innovation initiatives
• Require the Department of Commerce to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity within 90 days of enactment to help accelerate grant availability

The 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.).

This bill is supported by the Delaware Innovation Space and the Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP).

"EDA's Build to Scale program has played an instrumental role in strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem for scalable, science-based startups," said William D. Provine, Ph.D., president & CEO of the Delaware Innovation Space. "Its support has helped us build more commercially viable companies that have crossed the 'valley of death' 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's economic competitiveness."

"Delaware Prosperity Partnership strongly supports the reauthorization of the Build to Scale (B2S) Program. This legislation is an opportunity to strengthen Delaware's 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's capacity to grow and attract scalable startups, create quality jobs, increase access to capital, and reinforce Delaware's position as a cradle of innovation," says Becky Harrington, DPP's interim president and CEO.

Further endorsements of the Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026 include: SSTI, the Association of University Research Parks (AURP), Cornell University, Georgetown University's 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.

Read the full text of the bill here.