On April 20, Biotechnology Business Consultants (BBCetc) will be hosting an information panel and networking event at Blue 35 in downtown Grand Rapids that will address recent changes made to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program.
The SBIR/STTR program is a competitive program that provides funding for small businesses engaged in research and development (R&D) from the excess funds of federal agencies whose R&D budgets exceed $100 million.
BBCetc initiated an SBIR/STTR advising program in 2002 to assist Michigan companies in successfully writing proposals and guide them through the complicated submission process through onsite training, short programs and webinars. They have since helped more than 550 companies secure upwards of $175 million in SBIR/STTR funding.
The SBIR/STTR program is legislatively mandated and the application process is time consuming. Becky Aistrup is principal consultant at BBCetc and has over 20 years of SBIR/STTR consulting experience.
“The process is probably going to take them (companies) upwards of 100 hours to prepare a proposal, especially if they haven’t done it before,” Aistrup said. “It’s not a trivial process.”
The 11 federal agencies that participate in the program include the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education. Although there are general requirements for the program (companies must have under 500 employees and must be at least 50% owned by individuals), each agency adjusts their own programing based on their unique objectives.
The April 20 event aims to thoroughly inform interested companies about the ins and outs of the application process and recent changes that have taken place. Aistrup says there is new congressional interest in making sure the program is executed correctly, prompting recent changes in the application requirements and reviewing processes.
“They (the agencies) are becoming much more diligent about making sure companies qualify,” Aistrup said. “So we will want to make sure applicants are aware of that.”
After an hour long panel discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and network. Tabling will be available for entrepreneurial organizations and resource providers.
To register for the event, please visit: http://www.bbcetc.com/event/sbirsttr-community-program-and-networking/.
For more information about BBCetc and the services they offer, please visit: http://www.bbcetc.com/
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