Washington DC, March 29, 2011-- The Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, in Madison, Wisconsin is the site for the April 10 – 13, National Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Spring Conference. Hosted by Wisconsin SBIR, the conference is designed to help attendees understand key facets of the SBIR and STTR programs.
Sessions begins on Sunday, April 10 with a pre-conference workshop designed for those new to the SBIR/STTR Program. The SBIR/STTR 101 workshop provides first time attendees with in-depth information and guidelines about the SBIR and STTR programs. The Licensing and Commercialization Boot Camp is an intensive, half-day workshop designed for early stage CEOs and university researchers with new technology ventures. The workshop focuses on the tools need to launch and grow new ventures, craft products based on technological innovation, work with university licensing offices, leverage university researchers and facilities, and cultivate investors.
Over the next three days of the conference, participants listen to presentations by SBIR and STTR Program Managers and previous awardees that have successfully transitioned their technology into government and commercial use. One-on-one meeting can be made with program managers from over ten Federal Agencies, including U. S. Department of Defense (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and MDA), NASA, SOCOM, HHS/NIH, Education, USDA, EPA, Energy, Homeland Security, Transportation, and NSF, to discuss technology area of interest and specific agency’s program requirements.
The SBIR and STTR programs are Federally-funded research grants that provided small businesses engaged in advanced and often high risk research and development for the Federal government with Phase I and Phase II funding. The funding provides the economic incentive needed for businesses to leverage their research dollars into innovations that provide solutions for America, industry, and the Federal government, in areas such as technology, environmental, medical, social, education, transportation, and defense.
The ability of companies to successfully transition their cutting edge technologies and solutions to the commercial market is vital to the economic and technological strength of the U.S. Through the success of the SBIR and STTR programs the Federal government is able to maximize the benefits of SBIR and STTR awards which directly and indirectly contribute to the growth and economies of the country.
The conference is expected to draw nearly 1,000 attendees from across the U.S., and is a great opportunity for participants to network with Federal Procurement Managers and technology stakeholders, and gain information needed to help submit a successful Phase I proposal. Companies at the Phase II or III stages of the program benefit from the immediate access to Prime Contractors, research institutions, and venture capital firms, interested in teaming opportunities for research, technology transitioning, investment, or commercialization.
For more information about the 2011 National Spring SBIR/STTR Conference contact Gayle R. Kugler, State Director University of Wisconsin-Extension at 608-263-7812, or Dr. Laura E. Strong, PhD, National SBIR Conference Co-Chair at 608-441-2950.
