New: EnterpriseWorks Offers Free SBIR and STTR Technical Assistance and Counseling
EnterpriseWorks is now offering free SBIR and STTR technical assistance and counseling, thanks to the support of the EDA funded East Central Illinois University Center. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide qualified small businesses, with opportunities to propose innovative projects that meet specific federal needs. These programs offer more than $2 billion annually to support the research and development of technology by small businesses across the nation. Entrepreneurs can get anywhere from $150,000 to $1 million in capital to determine a technology’s feasibility and develop a prototype.
The EnterpriseWorks SBIR technical assistance program encourages entrepreneurs to apply for federal grants. Let us help you become familiar with SBIR funding, search solicitations, learn best practices for applications, talk with program managers for input, draft a budget, write a commercialization plan, or execute an award agreement. This is a free service available to any entrepreneur in East Central Illinois wjho is a potential awardee for SBIR and STTR funding.
Dave Kellner of Congent Innovations will assist entrepreneurs seeking guidance in regards to SBIR/STTR funding opportunities. Dave has secured funding from sources including USAF, USMC, Army, EPA, NIH, NSF, DOT, Indiana DHS, and DOE. He has managed all aspects of these programs from technical work, to reporting and invoicing to Phase II applications, and auditing. Dave is the CEO of Cogent Innovations and through this organization is acting as the V.P. of Development for Nanofab3D, and V.P. of Development for Autonomous Innovations. Dave has helped several local startups to secure Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) funding including Intelliwheels and Serionix. He previously served as the CEO for Caviton, and as V.P. of Engineering for ANDalyze. At ANDalyze Dave was an inventor on two patents, and developed an instrument from concept to production to international sales.
Since the EnterpriseWorks incubator opened in the Research Park, funding has become further fueled in this small technology cluster area in Champaign County, with 11% of all State of Illinois SBIR/STTR funding being awarded to its companies in a 36-acre area. SBIR/STTR funding plays an increasingly important role for Research Park small businesses. In 2010, a total of 22 awards were made just to University of Illinois Research Park companies. SBIR/STTR awards are an excellent source of funding for University startups because they require no repayment or loss of equity.
Sign up for assistance online and we will schedule a time for you to meet with Dave Kellner: http://go.illinois.edu/sbir. For more information about the SBIR program and current solicitation, please visit our resource page.