Category: Company Leadership

Developing Relationships within the SBIR Program – Part 1 – What is the SBIR Program?

On By Earle HagerIn Company Leadership, Events, Global Technology Projects, Industry Trends, SBIR, Technology Assessments, Technology MarketingLeave a comment

By EARLE HAGER published SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

More Articles / SBIR Information / Clinical Trials Information

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THE HISTORY OF THE SBIR AND STTR PROGRAMS

The Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer programs are both considered small business set-asides and contain sunset provisions. Funds are restricted or set aside exclusively for use by small businesses in both of these initiatives. The Small Business Administration establishes size standards on an industry-by-industry basis using the North American Industry Classification or NAICS codes.

Though dynamically different, both programs share a common goal – to foster innovation among domestic small businesses engaged in Federal research and development activities. As such, both programs harness the entrepreneurial spirit for which the United Sates is recognized and will continue to evolve over time.

For more on the history of the SBIR program, click here.

In 2015, there were 17K SBIR Phase 1 proposals submitted.  Just under 17% of these applications were funded. You need to find a way to increase your chances.

Continue reading “Developing Relationships within the SBIR Program – Part 1 – What is the SBIR Program?” →

SBIR – How to Double your Money

On By Earle HagerIn Business Development, Company Leadership, Global Technology Projects, SBIR, Technology Assessments, Technology Marketing, University Technology CommercializationLeave a comment

India, Kentucky, Buffalo and other locations will help you double your money.  India will match funds for research conducted in India.  If you are working with a university, they may already have collaborators/contacts in India for this step.

Kentucky will double your SBIR money if you setup shop in Kentucky. The bourbon is good and the housing is inexpensive.

Buffalo is sharing an annual fund of $5m for tech startups.  They also need a quarterback.

 

SBIR – Small Business Innovation Research

On By Earle HagerIn Business Development, Company Leadership, Industry Trends, SBIR, Technology Assessments, Technology Marketing, University Technology CommercializationLeave a comment

SBIR 1

SBIR 2.jpg

  • Funding is for startup companies
  • Funding goes to the company, who hires the professor / university
  • STTR is for tech transfer offices
  • R21 and others are research grants for professors

SBIR 3

  • License a technology, partner on SBIR grant
  • Work with professor on research
  • Multiple commercialization programs

SBIR 4

  • What is the best slot for the application?
  • Is this a scanning technology or a
    cancer technology?
  • Get ideas on focus areas

SBIR 5

  • Know your program managers / they are online
  • Talk with them
  • Get connected with them

SBIR 6.jpg

  • $150K / 6 months – Phase 1
  • $1M – 2 years – Phase 2
  • Phase 3 is not an option
  • University costing is with overhead
  • iCorps program – $50K for marketing / biz dev
  • 7% Profit – use for anything, $5K for biz dev

Technology Readiness Levels – A Short Introduction

On By Earle HagerIn Company Leadership, Global Technology Projects, SBIR, Technology Assessments, Technology Marketing, University Technology CommercializationLeave a comment

TRLs are the readiness level of a technology for commercialization.  Although not an exact definition, understanding where your tech stands allows you to present your technology in terms for planning for next steps.  University techs are generally 1-3, early stage companies push the 5-6 level, and you are ready to sell when you are in levels 7-9.

  • Market Entry Level
  • 1-4 Research, 5-6 POC, 7-9 Commercialization
  • Not precise number, but sets level
  • Establishment of levels key to grants and investments

A Few Tech Transfer Offices

On By Earle HagerIn Business Development, Company Leadership, Global Technology Projects, Industry Trends, SBIR, Technology Assessments, Technology Marketing, University Technology CommercializationLeave a comment

USC

UCLA and the UC System

The University of Texas System

University of Pennsylvania Center for Innovation

 

 

Technology Transfer Groups and How to Work with Them

On By Earle HagerIn Business Development, Company Leadership, Global Technology Projects, Industry Trends, SBIR, Technology Assessments, Technology Marketing, University Technology CommercializationLeave a comment

The first step is to get to know the professor.  Published disclosures are older.  The new stuff is the current research and the information they want to disclose shortly.  This is the early stuff.

So, you then go to the tech transfer office.  Here are some concepts you should understand before you meeting.

  • You can take option on technology for 6 months
  • Option process is relatively inexpensive
  • Keep renewing option as you apply for grants and partners
  • Work with professor on advancing technology
  • “Exclusive right to negotiate” is a key legal term for the offices
  • University can’t sign lesser deal afterwards
  • Not a matching offer agreement

 

Technology Pipeline – Who Else is working and not working in my space

On By Earle HagerIn Business Development, Company Leadership, Global Technology Projects, Industry Trends, SBIR, Technology Assessments, Technology Marketing, University Technology CommercializationLeave a comment

Currently, multiple external databases can provide updates on competitive technologies and research efforts.  It is key for the innovator to understand their opportunity in advance. Here are a few examples.

In your research, you should seek companies that are working in your space, companies that want to work in your space, and companies that recently failed in your space.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Programs – An Introduction

On By Earle HagerIn Business Development, Company Leadership, Industry Trends, SBIR, University Technology CommercializationLeave a comment
  • The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization.
  • University technology and university involvement increase your odds of being successful (30% or greater)
  • University support of grant process
  • Large companies seek startups based on university technologies and prefer the startups over working directly with the university – it’s validation
  • SBIR programs are a source of revenue, support, and development – a grant, not a loan or VC
  • SBIR associated programs, such as iCorps, used to help in development of opportunities
  • Universities are eager to help with their own networks and ecosystems
  • Opportunity to advance multiple technologies in a single area
  • Access to university professors and graduate students
  • University Startups looking for business support
  • “Hi, I am a startup working with a USC / CalTech technology …”