Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Presented by Sharina Broughton

2 11/03/03 Overview SBIR STTR Benefits Qualifications Funding Agencies Three Phase Program Writing a Proposal Submitting a Proposal FAST Track

3 11/03/03 What is SBIR? Highly competitive program Provides funding for small technology businesses (or individual entrepreneurs who form a company Encourages exploration of technical potential of ideas Rewards innovation Funding available from 10 federal agencies

4 11/03/03 What is STTR? Highly competitive program Provides funding for small businesses working cooperatively with researchers at universities and other research institutions Includes a joint venture between small business and nonprofit research institutions Funding limited to five federal agencies

5 11/03/03 Benefits By helping thousands of small businesses compete for federal research and development awards, SBIR has  Enhanced nation’s defense  Protected our environment  Advanced health care  Improved ability to manage and manipulate data

6 11/03/03 Small Businesses Gain... Funding Credibility Visibility Ownership of intellectual property Full equity ownership

7 11/03/03 Eligibility Requirements American owned Independently operated For-Profit Principle researcher employed by business Less than 500 employees

8 11/03/03 Size of Businesses that Win

9 11/03/03 Departments and Funding (in millions) SBIR Agencies  Department of Agriculture$13.3(1999)  Department of Commerce$7.5(1999)  Department of Education$5.3(1999)  Department of Transportation$7.4(1998)  Environmental Protection Agency$5.6(1997) SBIR/STTR Agencies  Department of Defense$540(2000)  Department of Energy$80(2000)  Department of Health and Human Services$307(1999)  National Aeronautics and Space Administration $89.1(1999)  National Science Foundation$56(1999) Note: Applications may be submitted to different agencies for similar work

Three Phase Program

11 11/03/03 Phase I: Project Feasibility Startup phase Awards up to $100,000 for six months Supports exploration of technical merit or feasibility of an idea

12 11/03/03 Phase II: Project Development to Prototype Expansion of Phase I Must complete Phase I Awards up to $750,000 for as long as two years Research and development work performed Developer evaluates

13 11/03/03 Phase III: Commercialization Expansion of Phase II Must complete Phase II No funding Must find funding from private sectors or other non SBIR federal funding agency Transition from laboratory to marketplace

14 11/03/03 SBIR Phases vs. STTR Phases Source:

Tips for Writing a Proposal

16 11/03/03 Proposal Components Problem Significance of problem Solution Impact of solution Technical objectives Detailed work schedule

17 11/03/03 Why should they choose your company? Credibility Experience in related area Qualifications of key personnel consultants and facilities

18 11/03/03 Key Factors in Proposal Writing Originality Quality Benefits Expertise Feasibility

FAST Track Federal and State Technology Partnership Program

20 11/03/03 What is FAST Track? A competitive grants program where outside investors match SBIR/STTR Phase II funding in order to accommodate for the period between Phase I and Phase II in which there is no funding

21 11/03/03 Requirements Phase II award application form Commitment letter submitted by investor Revised statement of work (SOW) for Phase I Revised cost proposal for the Phase I option to reflect additional matching funds Phase I status report (less than four pages)

22 11/03/03 Summary SBIR is a good start to funding a small business and gaining notoriety In order to compete for funding, businesses must be able to convince panel of the company’s credibility and inventiveness FAST Track is a good way to fill the funding gap between Phase I and Phase II

23 11/03/03 References SBIR/STTR:   FAST Track:     