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| About WSSI | About SBIR/STTR | Getting Started | Wyoming Award Winners | News & Events |
| 1.0 CONFERENCE IN WYOMING - A SIGHT TO BEHOLD By Bob Lougher, United Inventors Association Executive Director Riverton WY -- In the nearly 15 years that I have been attending inventor conferences, Senator Mike Enzi's 2nd Annual Inventor's Conference receives my Number One rating. All the key ingredients were there and ran without a hitch. Pretty much every single aspect of inventing was covered and explained by an impressive array of professionals. It was a packed house for all events. People from Wyoming take their role as inventors very serious. The wonderful staff of Senator Enzi orchestrated a flawless performance to be envied by even the most accomplished composer. Senator Enzi confirmed the importance of independent inventors to the State of Wyoming and the US economy. For his personal contribution to the advancement of independent inventors everywhere, the UIA bestowed upon him a UIA Lifetime Membership. (see photo below) To punctuate how well this conference was organized, a new inventor support group was formed on the spot. The right people, at the right time formed what may become a role model for others to follow. Some of those committing to this undertaking are the local Patent Depository library, the local SBDCs, a community college, a technology center, at least two successful inventors and scores of others. This new group has reached a level of cooperation that many older groups have yet to obtain. This is all the result of Senator Enzi and the efforts of his staff. A point of contact for this new group is Vicki Cox at vcox@lccc.cc.wy.edu or (307) 778-4354 (at Laramie County Community College). A notice to other members of congress: If you are looking to improve your State's economy, follow Senator Mike Enzi's lead.
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| 2.0 INTER-MOUNTAIN LABS, INC., SHERIDAN WINS NSF PHASE II Congratulations to Inter-Mountain Labs of Sheridan on their recent National Science Foundation Phase II award! Principal Investigator: Ernie Scott, escott@imlinc.com Ernie Scott states, ""We are very excited about the NSF Phase II grant. This funding compliments successes achieved on Teton Pass, and it provides us the opportunity to further mature the technology." For more information on Inter-Mountain Labs, visit their web site at: www.intermountainlabs.com/ return to CONTENTS |
| 3.0 LAST CHANCE TO COMMENT ON THE VC ISSUE The comment period on the issue of amending the SBIR/STTR eligibility rules to allow participation of companies owned and controlled by Venture Capital organizations expires on April 3, just nine (9) days from now. If you haven't already done so, we urge you to make your views known on this vital issue.You can email your comments by sending them to: restructure.sizestandards@sba.gov; be sure to include RIN 3245-ZA02 on the 'Subject:' line. Click here for more information. Click here to read one persons comments. return to CONTENTS |
| 4.0 LANDER AND RIVERTON- WSSI & RPC PRESENTATION ON APRIL 5 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. The times for these presentations on April 5 are: 10:00 a.m. to Noon in Lander at the Lander Library, Carnegie Room, and 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. in Riverton at the Holiday Inn. Questions? Email Gene Watson, Tony Nevshemal, or Jill Kline. 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. 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 |
| 5.0 EPA 2005 SBIR SOLICITATION IS OPEN
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released their 2005 SBIR solicitation PR-NC-05-10246 with an opening date of March 24 and a closing date of May 25, 2005 at 12:00pm noon local time. The EPA still requires hard copy proposals (original and nine (9) copies) which must be received by their Research Triangle Park Division by May 25, 2005, at 12:00 p.m. (Noon). The proposed research must directly pertain to EPA’s environmental mission and must be responsive to EPA program interests included in the topic descriptions of this solicitation. The research should be the basis for technological innovation resulting in new commercial products, processes, or services which benefit the public and promote the growth of the small business. Their SBIR Solicitation is focused on four main topic areas: return to CONTENTS |
| 6.0 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTS SBIR SOLICITATION The Department of Education has opened its FY-05 SBIR grant solicitation, consisting of one priority with five invitational priorities (topic areas) proposed by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services' (OSERS) National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) under CFDA Number 84.133S with awards up to $75,000. The solicitation closes on May 9, 2005 It is anticipated that ED will fund 17 awards under this program. Under this competition they are particularly interested in applications that address one of the five invitational priorities. The maximum amount in the 6-month budget period is $75,000, which includes both direct and indirect costs and fee. The Invitational Priorities are:
SBIR projects are encouraged to look to the future by exploring uses of technology to ensure equal access to education and promote educational excellence throughout the nation. The Department of Education's SBIR procedures are quite different from the other SBIR agencies and you must study their requirements carefully and follow strict rules in order to submit your proposal. The following links will take you to the information you need. Complete information is available on the DoEd web site: www.ed.gov/programs/nidrr/applicant.html |
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 (March 30) 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: DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH MENTORS!!! Success in the SBIR Program and technology-based businesses requires climbing a "learning curve" that covers many areas such as technology, marketing, teaming, technical writing, finance, budgeting and others. "Learning" these disciplines alone can be frustrating, time consuming, and expensive. Working with "mentors" who have successful experience with the competition process is an effective means to learn "the ropes" quickly and efficiently. Effective "mentor-protégé" relationships are frequently slow to develop, and need to be nurtured in order to become beneficial. This is particularly true in rural areas where there is not an abundance of persons experienced in SBIR competition. But the beneficial results are worth the commitment and investment to make effective mentoring happen. What motivates persons to serve as mentors? It usually is not money, because the good ones are busy with their own businesses, or already have capitalized on their entrepreneurial endeavors. They generally are motivated by a desire to "give something back" and to help nurture a technology-based business culture in their community or region. Hence, it usually most beneficial to nurture relationships with mentors from the "local" area. Dr. Keith Carron is an excellent example of a mentor in Wyoming. He first developed a successful SBIR competition record at two entrepreneurial companies in Laramie, WY, (Detection Limit, Inc., and CC Technology). Subsequently, he inspired numerous other entrepreneurs in Laramie and across Wyoming to engage the SBIR Program, and helped by sharing his experience with them. He continues to do so. It is important to solicit and listen to counsel and advice on the full spectrum of experiences of the mentor. Frequently, the protégé listens only in selected areas of SBIR competition or business operations. Information is tuned out in areas where the protégé thinks no help is needed, when in fact help in these areas may be more critical to the business than the small businessperson perceives. As Satchel Paige said, "It isn't what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you know that just ain't so." Small businesses seldom if ever "graduate" from the need for mentoring. As business activities grow and become more complex, there are always mentors with experiences and insights who can provide key assists in helping the business ascend to the next level. So, nurture and develop beneficial relationships with mentors!!! This competition tip first appeared in the July 16, 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. |