Introduction to sbir program 032510
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This document provides an overview of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, which provide grants for small businesses and entrepreneurs to conduct research and development that has both commercial and research organization partnership requirements. The summary includes: 1) SBIR/STTR programs provide early-stage funding for innovative research and product development through a three-phase grant system. 2) To qualify, an applicant must be a US-owned small business with fewer than 500 employees conducting research in eligible fields. 3) The document outlines the application process and eligibility requirements and provides resources for learning more about these funding opportunities.
Introduction to sbir program 032510
- 1. SBIR 101: Funding Critical Innovations
- 2. SBIR funding is accessible to a wide range of innovators • Small US-citizen owned company or start-up with new IP • Researcher* with an applied technology but no funding to create a prototype • Inventor with concept funded out of your own pocket *Restrictions apply
- 3. Grants are an overlooked source of early stage funding • Federal SBIR/STTR grants to build and test innovative new products • State NYSERDA grants—energy-related • TIP, ARPA-e…
- 4. SBIR Innovation Model Private Sector Investment/ Non-SBIR Federal Funds (before/during/after) PHASE III PHASE II Product PHASE I Research Development Feasibility towards to Research Prototype Commercial Market Taxes Federal Investment
- 5. The SBIR program provides small businesses the opportunity to propose innovative ideas that meet federal R&D needs • Small Business Innovation Research • Highly competitive • Three-phase award system • The Government is your customer for now
- 6. The STTR program is SBIR’s sister program, encouraging cooperative R&D between small businesses and research institutions • Small Business Technology Transfer Program • Works like SBIR, but a research partner is required
- 7. Both SBIR and STTR allow you to test the feasibility of ideas with commercial potential • Congress has mandated that agencies with significant external R&D budgets reserve a percentage for SBIR and STTR • SBIR permits research institution partners • STTR requires research institution partners
- 8. SBIR provides funding for high-risk R&D and enables you to prove your concept • First level of investment • Verification of your innovative technology • Peer-reviewed • Reduces technological risk for investors (angels/VCs will NOT fund R&D) • Has grown increasingly competitive • Under a CR; rules may change in 2011
- 9. SBIR builds value in your business for the owners of your business • Not dilutive like equity investment • No future debt accrued • Inventors retain 100% intellectual property and commercialization rights • Licensing and royalties=future revenue streams
- 10. Funding for SBIR projects differ by agency and solicitation • Phase I---from $70K for proof of concept (current NSF is $150K) • Phase II---$750K- $1.5 million to build out • Phase III---commercialization opportunities with agencies and private firms (usually no cash)
- 11. SBIR and STTR fund direct project work in several areas • Exploitation of scientific breakthroughs • Innovative use of emerging technologies • New application or major improvements to existing technologies • Commoditized technology won’t be accepted
- 12. 11 agencies host SBIR programs, and 6 host STTR programs • Agriculture • Commerce • Defense - also STTR • Education • Energy - also STTR • EPA • Health and Human Services - – National Institutes of Health - also STTR – Health Care Financing Administration • Homeland Security- also STTR • Transportation • National Aeronautics and Space Administration - also STTR • National Science Foundation - also STTR
- 13. To be eligible for SBIR/STTR, companies must be US-owned and independently operated • For-profit firm with fewer than 500 employees • Not dominant in the proposed field of operation • PI employed by the business over 50% time – For SBIR; STTR depends on the agency • Research direction must be controlled by the SBIR grantee
- 14. To apply, the first step is to identify all topics that relate to your company’s R&D interests www.zyn.com www.sbir.gov • Links to SBIR information resources • SBIR/STTR solicitation schedules
- 15. The second step is to review solicitation information for the opportunities you have selected • Pre-solicitation announcements • Guidelines – Requirements - technical and personnel – Award amounts – Application and submission details • Research funded in the past • Sample or model proposals- be careful!
- 16. The third step is to contact each agency to learn why the agency is funding your topic • Treat each agency as you would treat any customer • Technical questions allowed before release date • Only administrative questions after release date • DOD has a pre-release period • HHS and Agriculture not concerned about release date restrictions
- 17. Tactical strategies are necessary to be competitive – you will need a plan to win • Have a clear vision of the customer • Leverage federal and state resources • Leverage relationships with outside organizations • Consider the use of experts • Leverage personal resources • Ask for letters from potential customers
- 18. You must be prepared to sell the value of your idea • An investor is an investor • Evaluate how you fit the funder’s needs • Understand the funder’s motives and values • Be able to articulate how your approach is different from competing technologies • Show that you know your market
- 19. The proposal will require more than ‘filling out a form’—write for your reader! • Proposal quality is key • The text should be engaging and easy to read, but avoid marketing-speak • Don’t make the reader dig for information; highlight key points • Use pictures, tables and figures
- 20. ITAC SBIR specialists can lead you through the SBIR/STTR maze We can: • Help you find the right opportunity • Match you with a research lab partner • Match you with a small business • Advise you on proposal strategy • Read your proposal with comments We can’t: • Write the proposal for you
- 21. Thank you, and feel free to contact me with any questions or for a copy of this presentation Colleen Gibney Technology Project Manager ITAC ITAC www.ITAC.org CGibney@ITAC.org 212-442-2990 Special thanks to Marcene Sonneborn, TDO