HSSA
HSSA is a quasi-governmental authority that provides non-dilutive grant funding (up to $750K) to bioscience companies and healthcare-access nonprofits in Spokane County, financed by a 0.02% county sales tax and reauthorized through 2038.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersSpokane, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What HSSA does
HSSA (Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane County) is a quasi-governmental, non-profit authority created in 2007 under Washington State RCW 35.104 and Spokane County Resolution 7-1054, and the only Health Sciences & Services Authority operating in Washington State. It is funded by a 0.02% county-wide sales tax in Spokane County, supplemented by a $10.7M bond issuance in 2011, and allocates roughly 75% of revenues to bioscience research and infrastructure grants and 15% to Access to Care grants serving underinsured and uninsured populations.
HSSA operates a portfolio of six grant programs: Spokane Early Stage (up to $100K, no match), RD&C Spokane (Level 1 up to $250K, Level 2 up to $750K, 1:1 match required), RD&C Relocating (matching Level 1/Level 2 awards for companies relocating to Spokane County), Bioscience Infrastructure and Ecosystem Building (up to $100K for nonprofits and public entities), Access to Care (annual cycle for healthcare-access nonprofits), and Grant Writing Assistance (up to $5K for SBIR/STTR preparation). Grants are disbursed through a competitive quarterly RFP process.
HSSA is governed by a nine-member Board and operates with a 1-10 person staff led by Executive Director Erin Williams Hueter (appointed October 2022, succeeding founding Executive Director Susan Ashe). The authority has invested over $8M in research/infrastructure grants, nearly $4M in Access to Care grants, helped attract over $35M in extramural federal funding, and claims responsibility for over $100M in total economic activity and 500+ jobs in Spokane County. It was reauthorized by the Washington State Legislature in 2019 for an additional 15 years (until 2038).
HSSA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HSSA
- Legal name
- Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane County
- Website
- https://hssaspokane.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- HSSA is a quasi-governmental authority that provides non-dilutive grant funding (up to $750K) to bioscience companies and healthcare-access nonprofits in Spokane County, financed by a 0.02% county sales tax and reauthorized through 2038.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HSSA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Health Grant Funding
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)
- SIC
- Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Health Research Funding Agencies (Public/Quasi-Public) (HLAJALAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL), Chronic Disease & Health Promotion Program Funding (HLAJALAJ), Health Equity & Social Determinants Program Funding (HLAJALAK)
Keywords
Where HSSA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Spokane
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
HSSA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- County Sales Tax Revenue: HSSA was established by Washington State legislation (RCW 35.104) and is funded through a 0.02% county-wide sales tax in Spokane County. The organization designates 75% of revenues for bioscience research and infrastructure grants, and 15% for Access to Care grants supporting underinsured and uninsured populations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Spokane Early Stage Grant - up to $100,000 for early-stage bioscience businesses |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Bioscience Infrastructure and Ecosystem Building Grant - up to $100,000 |
| Other | Multi-year contract | RD&C Spokane Level 1 - up to $250,000 for companies already in Spokane County |
| Other | Multi-year contract | RD&C Spokane Level 2 - up to $750,000 for Spokane companies after completing Level 1 |
| Other | Multi-year contract | RD&C Relocating Level 1 - up to $250,000 for companies relocating to Spokane |
| Other | Multi-year contract | RD&C Relocating Level 2 - up to $750,000 for companies that completed Level 1 |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Grant Writing Assistance - up to $5,000 for SBIR/STTR grant support |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
HSSA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HSSA is a public, quasi-governmental health sciences authority that distributes non-dilutive grant capital to bioscience companies, research institutions, and healthcare access organizations in Spokane County. It runs six distinct grant programs covering early-stage bioscience funding, two-tier research/development/commercialization matching grants for both local and relocating companies, bioscience infrastructure and ecosystem support, Access to Care healthcare delivery funding, and small grant-writing assistance for SBIR/STTR applications. Approximately 75% of revenues fund bioscience-based economic development grants and 15% fund Access to Care grants for underinsured populations.
Product overview
HSSA (Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane County) is a grant-making organization, not a technology product company. Its offerings consist of six grant programs designed to promote bioscience-based economic development and advance public health in Spokane County: Spokane Early Stage Grant (startup capital up to $100,000), RD&C Spokane and RD&C Relocating (two-phase research, development and commercialization matching grants with Level 1 up to $250,000 and Level 2 up to $750,000), Bioscience Infrastructure and Ecosystem Building Grant (infrastructure support up to $100,000 for nonprofits and government entities), Access to Care Grant (annual grants for healthcare access programs representing 15% of revenues), and Grant Writing Assistance (up to $5,000 for SBIR/STTR grant support).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Spokane Early Stage Grant Grant opportunity supporting early-stage bioscience businesses located in Spokane County. Awards up to $100,000 for determining technical merit, feasibility, and commercialization potential of proposed ideas or technologies, with no match required.
- RD&C Spokane (Research, Development and Commercialization) Two-tier grant program supporting research, development, and commercialization for bioscience companies located in Spokane County. Level 1 awards up to $250,000 over 24 months with 1:1 match required; Level 2 awards up to $750,000 requiring completion of Level 1 with fully executed outcomes and subject to a $1,000,000 lifetime entity maximum.
- RD&C Relocating Two-tier grant program supporting research, development, and commercialization for bioscience companies relocating to Spokane County. Level 1 awards up to $250,000 over 24 months with 1:1 match required; Level 2 awards up to $750,000 requiring completion of Level 1 with fully executed outcomes.
- Bioscience Infrastructure and Ecosystem Building Grant Grant program supporting bioscience infrastructure and ecosystem growth in Spokane County. Awards up to $100,000 (no match required) for activities including business and health analytics tools, recruitment of scientific faculty, laboratory core equipment purchases, and collaborative bioscience developments. Eligible entities include nonprofits, government entities, and public-private partnerships.
- Access to Care Grant Annual grant program funding innovative health service delivery and increased access to healthcare for underinsured, uninsured, and at-risk populations in Spokane County. Represents approximately 15% of HSSA's annual revenues.
- Grant Writing Assistance Micro-grants of up to $5,000 providing professional grant-writing consultants for organizations seeking SBIR/STTR federal grants in health sciences.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $100 million in total economic activity generated in Spokane County
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use HSSA
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
HSSA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
HSSA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Evergreen Bioscience Innovation ClustercorePartner organization hosting bioscience-focused events that HSSA promotes to its network. Collaborative relationship supporting the growth of Spokane's bioscience ecosystem.
- FUEL CoworkingcoreSpokane coworking space that hosts bioscience and startup events. HSSA promotes their events as part of the ecosystem development efforts.
- Ignite NorthwestcoreRegional startup support organization. HSSA collaborates on events and ecosystem development for the Inland Northwest bioscience community.
- Greater Spokane Inc.corePrimary economic development partner for Spokane County. Collaborates on bioscience recruitment, ecosystem development, and has commissioned studies (Life Science Asset and Landscape Study) to support HSSA's mission.
- Life Science Washington & Life Science Washington InstitutecoreStatewide life sciences trade association. HSSA co-hosts events with LSW including the East/West Summit, grant writing boot camps, and other industry events. LSWI provides SBIR/STTR training that HSSA sponsors.
- Spokane Angel AllianceminorAngel investor network in Spokane. Events are promoted by HSSA as part of the bioscience funding ecosystem.
- Spokane Regional Health DistrictcoreSRHD received a $47,500 HSSA matching grant for the Quality of Life Survey. SRHD events are promoted by HSSA as part of the public health ecosystem.
- Launchpad Inland NorthwestminorStartup support organization. Received Grant Writing Assistance Micro Award from HSSA. Events promoted through HSSA channels.
- Washington Research FoundationminorNon-profit supporting research commercialization in Washington State. HSSA promotes their events as part of ecosystem development.
- Inherent BiosciencesminorUtah-based company that relocated most operations to Spokane County using HSSA Level 1 and Level 2 grants. HSSA helped facilitate their collaboration with Allele Diagnostics.
- Washington State University (WSU) SpokanecoreWSU Spokane is a major beneficiary and partner. HSSA has provided $1.18 million in grants for lab equipment and researcher recruitment. WSU has received over $30 million in extramural grant funding that HSSA takes credit for helping attract. Home to the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.
- UW/Gonzaga Regional Health PartnershipcorePublic-private partnership between University of Washington and Gonzaga University for medical education and research in Spokane. HSSA Board member Dr. Darryl Potyk serves as Regional Director of Medical Education. New 80,000 SF building planned.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
HSSA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Life Science Washington: Statewide life sciences trade association that HSSA partners with for grant-writing bootcamps, SBIR/STTR training, and events. A peer given the shared mission of growing Washington's bioscience ecosystem through funding, training, and advocacy.
- Spokane Angel Alliance: Spokane-based angel investor network that HSSA promotes as part of the bioscience funding ecosystem. Comparable as a complementary source of early-stage capital in the same Spokane geography and bioscience deal flow.
- BioGenerator: St. Louis-based nonprofit bioscience investment organization that provides grants, lab space, and startup support to life science companies. BioGenerator is a comparable nonprofit grant-and-ecosystem-builder in a mid-size metro, much like HSSA in Spokane.
- Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO): State-chartered quasi-public corporation that funds and develops technology/life science companies in Maryland. TEDCO mirrors HSSA's model of using public/legislative authority to deploy grants and seed capital to early-stage bioscience ventures.
- Greater Spokane Incorporated: Spokane County's primary economic development organization and a core HSSA partner. Operates in the same regional economic-development mission, including commissioned bioscience landscape studies, and is a natural peer in mission and geography.
- Launchpad Inland Northwest: Startup support organization in the Spokane/Inland Northwest region that has received HSSA grant-writing assistance. Peer in regional startup ecosystem support and an HSSA grantee.
- Washington Research Foundation: Nonprofit that supports research commercialization across Washington State through grants and gap funding. Closely comparable to HSSA's RD&C and Bioscience Infrastructure grant programs in funding early-stage commercialization.
- Ignite Northwest: Regional nonprofit that supports entrepreneurs and startups in the Inland Northwest, with a focus on catalyzing early-stage ventures. HSSA lists Ignite Northwest as a core partner, making it a peer in the local startup-support ecosystem.
Broad incumbents
- New York State Health Foundation: Private foundation making grants to improve health and healthcare access across New York State. Comparable to HSSA's Access to Care program in its health-equity grantmaking focus, though at much larger scale and broader geography.
- California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM): State-level quasi-public authority funding stem cell and regenerative medicine research via voter-approved bond financing. A larger-scale analog of HSSA's bioscience grant authority model, established by state statute.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
HSSA social profiles
Digital presenceHSSA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HSSA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
HSSA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HSSA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HSSA
What does HSSA do?
HSSA is a public, quasi-governmental health sciences authority that distributes non-dilutive grant capital to bioscience companies, research institutions, and healthcare access organizations in Spokane County. It runs six distinct grant programs covering early-stage bioscience funding, two-tier research/development/commercialization matching grants for both local and relocating companies, bioscience infrastructure and ecosystem support, Access to Care healthcare delivery funding, and small grant-writing assistance for SBIR/STTR applications. Approximately 75% of revenues fund bioscience-based economic development grants and 15% fund Access to Care grants for underinsured populations.
Is HSSA a public or private company?
HSSA is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was HSSA founded?
HSSA was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is HSSA based?
HSSA is headquartered in Spokane, United States, in the North America region.
How does HSSA make money?
One revenue line is on record: county Sales Tax Revenue.
Who are HSSA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Life Science Washington, Spokane Angel Alliance, BioGenerator, Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), Greater Spokane Incorporated, Launchpad Inland Northwest, Washington Research Foundation and Ignite Northwest. Broad incumbents are New York State Health Foundation and California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).
Does HSSA have an API?
No public API is recorded for HSSA.
What industry is HSSA in?
HSSA's product category is Public Health Grant Funding. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJALAB, Health Research Funding Agencies (Public/Quasi-Public), with a secondary code of BPAGAKAL, Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8090.