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| About WSSI | About SBIR/STTR | Getting Started | Wyoming Award Winners | News & Events |
| 1.0 March Phase 0 Award Winners Congratulations to the March Phase 0 award winners! return to CONTENTS |
| 2.0 SARATOGA/ENCAMPMENT AND RAWLINS - WSSI & RPC PRESENTATION ON MARCH 25 The Research Products Center (RPC) and the Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative (WSSI) are economic development programs funded and administered by the Wyoming Business Council (WBC) and the University of Wyoming Research Office. The mission of the RPC is to work closely and supportively with Wyoming entrepreneurs and inventors to identify, protect and commercialize their intellectual property. The mission of the WSSI is to assist qualified Wyoming individuals and small businesses to acquire Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants to fund the development of their creative ideas. These federal programs provide over $2 billion every year to the nation’s innovative technology-based small businesses. The RPC and the WSSI work in concert in encouraging and supporting Wyoming’s innovators to protect, develop and commercialize their new product concepts, thereby stimulating the growth of the state’s technology-based economic sector. During 2004, Wyoming small business entities received more than $3.5 million in seed capital from the SBIR and STTR programs. Frequently, innovators are reluctant to disclose their proprietary ideas, concerned that their concepts will be appropriated by others. Intellectual property protection is one common solution to this concern. The RPC has the resources available to help Wyoming inventors determine the patentability of their ideas, and if merited, provides the means to file a provisional patent with the U.S. Patent Office. The WSSI sponsors the popular Wyoming Phase 0 program, a competition that awards an average of two $5,000 grants each month to qualified resident Wyoming individuals and small businesses. These grants provide the resources needed to prepare SBIR and/or STTR proposals that will be competitive at the national level. Tony Nevshemal, Director of the RPC, and Gene Watson, WSSI Program Manager, will make a two-hour presentation describing the details of these programs, with Q&A following the presentations. TENTATIVE times for these presentations are: 10:00 a.m. to Noon in Saratoga, and 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. in Rawlins. Meeting rooms are still being arranged. A special announcement will be sent out to the WSSI Distribution List as soon as the final arrangements are made. Email Gene Watson, Tony Nevshemal, or Jill Kline with questions. To obtain further information on the RPC, go to www.uwyo.edu/RPC, and on the WSSI, go to www.uwyo.edu/sbir. return to CONTENTS |
| 3.0 GRANTS.GOV UP AND RUNNING! This service is managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Grants.gov - Find. Apply. Succeed! Grants.gov - home of Federal government grant information and applications - is now up and running! Two key features, Find Grant Opportunities and Apply for Grants, are ready for use - FREE of charge. The Grants.gov Find and Apply features enable it to simplify the grants management process and create a centralized, online process to find and apply for over 900 grant programs from the 26 Federal grant-making agencies. Grants.gov streamlines the process of awarding over $350 billion annually to state and local governments, academia, not-for-profits and other organizations. This program is lead by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is one of the President's 24 Federal cross-agency E-Government initiatives focused on improving access to services via the Internet.The Find Grant Opportunities feature allows the grant community to search for information on available grant opportunities using a number of criteria, including key words or specific agency. It also includes a registration function to receive email updates as new grant opportunities are added. Federal agencies are required to post all competitive grant opportunities to the site. The Apply for Grants feature enables users to apply for competitive Federal grant opportunities through a single, unified process. Several of the 26 Federal grant-making agencies have posted application packages for current opportunities and received applications submitted via Grants.gov. There has been a rapid ramp up of agencies and grant programs. Participating grant-making agencies include: the US Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, State Transportation, Interior, Treasury, Veterans Affairs; the Agency for International Development; the Corporation for National and Community Service; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Institute of Museum and Library Services; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; the National Archives and Records Administration; the National Endowment for the Arts; the National Endowment for Humanities; the National Science Foundation; the Small Business Administration; and the Social Security Administration. Visit Grants.gov today for more information and to Find. Apply. Succeed! return to CONTENTS |
| 4.0 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SBIR SOLICITATION OPEN The DOT's Volpe Center opened its FY-05 SBIR Solicitation on February 28, 2005 and has a closing date of May 16, 2005. The DOT solicitation is available through electronic means only at www.volpe.dot.gov/sbir. Special Note: To request other information, please contact the US DOT SBIR Program Director. DOT Topics:Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 3 awards Full topic descriptions are available at: www.volpe.dot.gov/sbir/sol05/sec8full.html return to CONTENTS |
| 5.0 PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL BUSINESS & NATIVE AMERICAN BUSINESS EXPO Come Learn How To Sell Your Products & Services To A Multibillion Dollar Market!
When: March 15, 2005, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Reception following from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Conference fee: $25/person (includes lunch & reception) Why Should You Attend? If you'd like to learn more about business opportunities & doing business on the Wind River Indian Reservation, stay a 2nd day for the: 5th Annual Native American Business Expo Where: The Inn at Lander, Lander, WY For more information contact Jeff Sneddon, U.S. Small Business Administration 307-261-6515 or Lisa Wagner, Wind River Development Fund 307-335-7330 return to CONTENTS |
| 6.0 SENATOR ENZI HOSTS FREE TWO-DAY INVENTOR'S CONFERENCE: FROM YOUR GARAGE TO THE ASSEMBLY LINE If you have ever had an idea for an invention, but didn’t know how to turn that invention into a real product, or if you are simply interested in the invention process, you are invited to join Senator Mike Enzi in Riverton for the second annual "Inventor’s Conference: From Your Garage to the Assembly Line." Senator Enzi will host this FREE two-day workshop at the Holiday Inn on March 17 and 18, 2005. A no-host lunch will be provided. Dean Kamen, inventor of the first wearable drug infusion pump and other cutting edge technologies, will be the key note speaker. The conference will also feature other exciting speakers and informative discussions that will show you how to take your idea and create a product that could earn you enough money to send you into a higher tax bracket. The response to the first inventor’s workshop in Gillette last year was overwhelming. Senator Enzi is excited about this opportunity to help creative Wyomingites capitalize on their ideas to bring in cash and looks forward to seeing you at the second annual inventor’s conference. If you plan on attending, or need more information, please contact Senator Enzi’s Gillette office at (307) 682-6268 or Robin Bailey at robin_bailey@enzi.senate.gov. return to CONTENTS |
7.0 UPCOMING CONFERENCES/TRAININGS/SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS
Successful participation in the SBIR/STTR programs is best viewed as a journey, during which a company moves an idea from the conceptual stage all the way through to the marketplace - i.e., commercialization. Understanding the full demands of commercialization is critical to success in the program. This conference is designed to further define the SBIR/STTR journey and its many steps and considerations. Educational programs have been designed to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the journey that begins with a strategic plan, the development of a commercialization pathway, and a plan to attract risk capital. The "Charting Your Course to Commercialization" program will offer: Federal SBIR program managers will provide overviews of each their SBIR programs, how to cultivate and build relationships, compete and competition tips that will enhance a company's competitiveness. An invention consultant will talk about the commercialization cycle and how to move a product to market. Seasoned SBIR winners will talk about the commercialization strategies they selected for their company. A panel of investors will discuss how early-stage innovators secure capital. A panel of SBIR winners will share best practice tips on governmental accounting. A panel of professionals will discuss their experiences working with universities and federal labs. The Fourth Annual Montana SBIR Conference is the state's principal gathering for entrepreneurial firms engaged in innovation research, development, and commercialization. The fourth annual conference and pre-conference has been designed to feature tracks for both new and experienced participants. Whether already an SBIR/STTR award winner, or just considering these programs for the first time, the conference is organized to help participants make the best use of their SBIR investment. Pre-Conference Workshops (29th) include: Is the SBIR a Good Fit for My Company; Increase Your Chances of Securing SBIR Funding - On-line Search Skills Essential to a Competitive Proposal; Licensing Your Innovation - Developing the Knowledge and Skills to Net the Best Deal For additional details, contact Linda Brander at 406-841-2749 or lbrander@mt.gov
This event begins with Jim & Gail Greenwoods most popular workshop in which they cover the basics of SBIR/STTR, then describe a simple but effective four-step process for developing a competitive Phase I proposal. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss as a group a real SBIR/STTR Phase I proposal. On the second day, the Greenwoods will cover the basics of Phase II, how it differs from agency to agency, a process for developing a Phase II SBIR or STTR proposal, and alternative paths for commercializing an SBIR/STTR technology. This will be great event for someone who wants to get fully indoctrinated into the SBIR/STTR programs and how to apply for funding to both Phase I and Phase II. For more information or to register, contact stephanie_blair@und.nodak.edu.
Where: Albany, NY, The Crowne Plaza Hotel Albany City Center Description: The National Science Foundation, in association with the Small Business Administration and all 11 SBIR agencies, is sponsoring this 2005 Fall National SBIR/STTR Conference. Annually, the SBIR and STTR programs provide over $2 billion to small businesses through federal programs to help entrepreneurs take their ideas from conception to reality. This conference will give you the tools you need to obtain part of the $2+ billion available to small business innovators. This conference also provides each participant with multiple opportunities to meet and network with SBIR and STTR Program Managers, and fellow attendees, including SBIR/STTR award winners, speakers, and experts from businesses and the government willing to work with you to move your business ahead. Who Should Attend: Attendees include SBIR and STTR representatives from the Federal Agencies involved in the programs, sales and marketing professionals, small business owners, entrepreneurs, university researchers, scientists seeking commercialization strategies, venture capitalists, and all small businesses seeking to secure federal funding. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available. Refer questions to Sharon DelaBarre at sbir@dbamlg.com or 360-683-5742. |
| 8.0 COMPETITION TIP: EXPLOIT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES!!! Many disciplines are required for successful SBIR competition and commercialization, and for building a successful technology-based small business. They include technology, marketing, finance, cost control, program management, administration, planning, and others. Successful small businesses generally master a broad spectrum of these disciplines, and have adequate capability in others. How does a small business acquire the disciplines necessary for success? Building a team with members who have complementary capabilities is one approach. But for new entrepreneurial activity, the "team" seldom has all required disciplines and skills at its beginning to compete successfully in the SBIR Program, and to build a successful business. Learning "on-the-fly" is usually an integral part of successful entrepreneurship. And learning quickly is vital, especially in rapidly growing organizations. There are many excellent opportunities to learn and develop disciplines necessary for successful SBIR competition and business development. Examples are National and Regional SBIR Conferences and SBIR workshops around the country. A challenge for small businesses is identifying and participating in selected opportunities that are highly beneficial relative to the associated cost. But it is essential to plan an optimal investment in learning disciplines and skills for SBIR competition and business operations. Too often, learning opportunities are bypassed because of the associated cost in time and other resources compared to the perceived benefits. Consequently, SBIR competition and the business are compromised. As a sage once said, "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." Exploit learning opportunities to enable business success!!! This competition tip first appeared in the July 9, 1999 issue of the Wyoming SBIR Newsletter. Follow this link to a complete set of Competition Tips. return to CONTENTS |
| 9.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND PUBLICATION INFORMATION
TO BE ADDED TO OR REMOVED FROM THE DISTRIBUTION LIST FOR THIS NEWSLETTER, SEND NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, AND EMAIL ADDRESS TO jillkline@vcn.com. Prepared by: Jill Kline, WSSI Outreach Coordinator, 307.682.2660 or toll free in Wyoming, 866.703.3280, jillkline@vcn.com, and Gene Watson, WSSI Program Manager, 307.742.7162, ewatson@wyoming.com. This newsletter is published every other week as part of the Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative (WSSI). The mission of the Initiative is to increase the number of federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program awards to Wyoming. The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) funds the initiative which is administered by the University of Wyoming Research Office. Please contact Jill Kline (see contact information above) with your comments. |