Innovation in the structural building components industry does not always come from sweeping, disruptive change. Often, it begins with practical ideas, incremental improvements, and solutions born directly from jobsite challenges. The SBCA Innovation Grant is designed to bring those ideas forward, giving companies of all sizes a platform to share, refine, and elevate their innovations within the industry.
Now open for applications, the SBCA Innovation Grant provides an opportunity for emerging and established companies alike to showcase new technologies, processes, and products that can move the industry forward. More than just funding, the program offers visibility, connection, and real-world feedback from industry peers.
At its core, the SBCA Innovation Grant is about participation and engagement. As Cheryl Lewis of FairBuild AI, a 2025 Grant Recipient, explains, the value goes beyond simply presenting an idea: “This is a great opportunity for any company that is up and coming to get out there and be seen and get some feedback. That’s the great part. People are coming here and giving us feedback, telling us what they want, what they want more of, and how they’d like us to address some of these issues.”
That feedback loop is a defining feature of the program. Participants are not operating in isolation. Instead, they are engaging directly with component manufacturers, framers, and other industry professionals, stakeholders, and decision-makers who can help shape and strengthen their ideas.
The SBCA Innovation Grant also reinforces an important message: innovation does not have to be large-scale to be meaningful. Denis Zulfic of Randek, a 2025 Grant Recipient, highlights this perspective: “Every small innovation is an innovation. I think it’s important to get that out there. To apply and try, and see what people think of it.”
This mindset lowers the barrier to entry and encourages broader participation. Whether it is a new piece of equipment, a software solution, or a process improvement, the program welcomes ideas that address real challenges in residential and multifamily construction.
For companies developing new technologies, the grant offers a pathway to industry recognition and integration. Scott Nyborg of Dusty Robotics, a 2025 Grant Recipient, emphasizes the importance of visibility and community connection: “If you’re innovating in the space of residential homebuilding or multifamily construction, and you have an exciting innovation to bring to the industry, this is a really great way to daylight that innovation, bring attention to it, and also become part of the community that you’re innovating for.”
That sense of community is further reinforced through the program’s connection to BCMC, SBCA’s annual trade show, where selected participants have the opportunity to present their innovations on the show floor. This exposure places new ideas directly in front of decision-makers and end users, creating a unique environment for collaboration and discovery.
As Diego Polanco of Alpine, an ITW Company, a 2025 Grant Recipient and the 2025 People’s Choice Innovator, notes, the setting itself plays a key role in sparking new thinking: “Being here at BCMC on the floor is a great opportunity for everybody to think about innovation in the future. Customer pain points bring a good opportunity for innovation.”
By grounding innovation in real-world challenges, the SBCA Innovation Grant ensures that ideas are not only creative but also practical and applicable. The program encourages participants to identify pain points and develop solutions that can be implemented in the field, driving measurable improvements across the industry.
Ultimately, the SBCA Innovation Grant is about more than individual ideas. It is about fostering a culture of innovation within the structural building components industry. By providing a platform for collaboration, feedback, and visibility, the program helps ensure that new ideas are not only generated but also refined, shared, and adopted.
For those ready to take the next step, the message is clear: apply, participate, and contribute to shaping the future of the structural building components, and the greater construction, industry.
2026 SBCA Innovation Grant Recipients will receive:
- One 10x10 booth (100 square feet) at BCMC 2026
- Up to three exhibit passes for the full BCMC event
- Press release announcements recognizing 2026 SBCA Innovation Grant Recipients
- The opportunity to be named the 2026 People’s Choice Innovator, including publicity in SBCA Magazine’s January/February 2027 issue and a feature in SBCA’s Industry News
The deadline to enter is May 15, 2026 @ 11:59pm Pacific Time. Learn more and apply at: www.sbcacomponents.com/innovationgrant.