THE CENTER FOR EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES 

Invites you to participate in an Emerson Extended Technology Entrepreneur Education Program (EETEEP) 

EETEEP events are from 2 to 5 pm followed by a networking Happy Hour. Unless otherwise noted, these events are held on Wednesdays from 2 to 5 pm followed by a networking Happy Hour. Each of these afternoon events will be presented in segments by teams of experts with sufficient time for questions.

For more information, please contact Bill Simon at 615-6908 or bsimon@emergingtech.org. Registrations may be made by contacting Heather Beaven at 615-6915 or CET_Programs@emergingtech.org. (Spring 2009 Schedule pdf)

April 1, 2009

Where is the Money? (EETEEP) Federal, State and City sources of grants, loans, tax credits and other incentives.
(Event Flyer pdf)

May 13, 2009

Valuation (EETEEP) Review of valuation of early stage tech-companies including histories of benchmarking, deals done, methodologies and a look into the future.

June 3, 2009

Leadership (EETEEP) Defining the vision, goal setting, communications, position assessment, motivation, progress assessment, financial planning, ethics, dealing with poor performance, team building and others.

June 17, 2009

The Latest News in Intellectual Property and Licensing (EETEEP) The most recent changes in IP and licensing from court cases and administrative rulings.

March 18, 2009

House Votes to Reauthorizes Small Business Programs by Kathryn A. Wolfe, CQ Staff

The House Tuesday passed a bill to extend certain expiring small business programs through July 31.

Passed by voice vote, the bill (HR 1541) would reauthorize several Small Business Administration programs set to expire at the end of the week, including the Small Business Innovation Research program, which seeks to involve small high-tech businesses in federal research activities and help commercialize cutting-edge high-tech research.

Nydia M. Velazquez, D-N.Y., chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee, said the extension will give lawmakers time to work on a more extensive overhaul of SBA programs.

“Extending these programs is important but we must not lose sight of a larger goal. Later this Congress we will pass legislation to modernize the SBA and change the agency’s culture. In these difficult economic times we will need an SBA that can respond effectively. This will require extensive reforms,” she said.

David Wu, chairman of the House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, said the research program and others need an update.

“Moving forward if we are to continue realizing the full value of SBIR we must authorize them with changes that reflect the evolving innovation environment. It must be an innovation program as well as a jobs and small business program,” Wu said.

He noted that in particular lawmakers must find a way to resolve an issue that, in part, led to problems passing a standalone reauthorization last year: to what extent venture capital-backed high-tech firms should be able to participate in grant awards.

Small businesses not backed by venture capital have argued that allowing them access to grants would crowd out the very startup businesses the grant programs are intended to help flourish.

Beyond SBIR, the extension would reauthorize all SBA programs set to expire at the end of the week, including:

• the Federal and State Technology Partnership Program;

• the SBA’s gift acceptance and co-sponsorship authority;

• the Paul D. Coverdell Drug-Free Workplace Program;

• the HUBZone Program; and

• the National Women’s Business Council.

From: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbirsttr_news.htm

Inconceivable? Unconscionable? Inexcusable? Which word best conveys what is happening to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program? Perhaps all of them. The SBIR program will expire March 20 unless Congress acts before that date.

No SBIR-related legislation has been considered by either chamber of Congress since the current session began in early January, and without action by Congress by March 20, the program expires. SBIR could be attached to some other bill before the deadline, but there is no indication at this point that that is going to occur.

It is inconceivable that one of the most successful federal programs to support the commercialization of innovation will be allowed to expire at the same time the country is desperately seeking investments to prepare the nation for the next economy. As SSTI has reported, significant portions of the Recovery Act are focused on investing in the future. Green technologies. Alternative energy. Information and communication technologies. Smart tech. SBIR should play an important role in that - just as it has supported the early development of a number of important technologies and tens of thousands of companies for the past 25 years.

It is unconscionable and inexcusable to think that a federal program would be allowed to expire that has proven to be effective. In addition to the hundreds of anecdotal success stories and profit statements from small businesses, a multimillion dollar independent assessment conducted by the National Academies of Science found SBIR to be effective.

The battle over inclusion of venture-backed biotech firms in SBIR derailed passage of an SBIR reauthorization bill last year. Both proponents and opponents were unwilling to compromise, and it seems both sides will lose now.

SBIR has proven to be a valuable screening tool for venture capitalists across many disciplines, including biotech. Compared to other small businesses, most SBIR winners are worthy of a closer look when prospecting for firms to add to an equity portfolio. Is VC eligibility going to prove to be the deal-breaker for SBIR’s continued existence? 

We’ve seen from past history that some agencies are not likely to continue to maintain SBIR programs unless it is mandatory. SBIR reauthorization has to be passed to make that happen in all 11 research-intensive agencies. Several Phase I deadlines are looming and for other agencies proposal review is underway for both Phase I and Phase II. Will these processes end abruptly? What will happen to those companies that have already won Phase Is and are waiting decisions on their Phase IIs? Forced layoffs and bankruptcies of promising tech firms does not seem to be the wisest strategy to get us out of the current economic quagmire.

SBIR through its competitive application process and market-driven need for the resulting innovations to be commercialized, costs less than $ 3 billion a year and supports thousands of small businesses across the country and several thousands more high-wage jobs for some of the nation’s smartest entrepreneurs.

This one seems pretty simple. SBIR reauthorization should be part of the economy’s solution.

From SSTI article: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/2009/031109.htm#story3

Dear Small Business Research Community,
As you are aware, on February 17, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). As part of the Recovery Act, NIH has designated at least $200 million in FYs 2009 - 2010 for a new initiative called the NIH Challenge Grants in Health and Science Research, to fund 200 or more grants (contingent upon the submission of a sufficient number of scientifically meritorious applications). This new program will support research on Challenge Topics which address specific scientific and health research challenges in biomedical and behavioral research that will benefit from significant 2-year jumpstart funds. Challenge Areas, defined by the NIH, focus on specific knowledge gaps, scientific opportunities, new technologies, data generation, or research methods that would benefit from an influx of funds to quickly advance the area in significant ways. The research in these areas should have a high impact in biomedical or behavioral science and/or public health.
Small businesses are eligible to apply for grants under this program.
I encourage you to explore details of this opportunity. Note: The due date is April 27, 2009.
See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/challenge_award/index.htm
On a related note…..
I have received scores of inquiries asking about the role of small businesses and SBIR/STTR relative to the Recovery Act, and I hope that I can clarify some of the information (and mis-information) that appears to be generating the questions.
NIH appreciates the opportunity afforded by the Recovery Act to provide economic stimulus to the nation while furthering our mission to uncover new knowledge that will lead to better health for everyone. Among the goals of the Recovery Act are to preserve and create jobs, promote economic recovery, and provide investments to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health.
Although the Act provides that the funds to NIH not be subject to the SBIR/STTR set-aside requirement, small businesses ARE ELIGIBLE to apply for Recovery Act NIH funding opportunities (e.g., Challenge Grants, administrative supplements, competitive supplements).
I encourage you to subscribe to the Weekly NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts update to stay apprised of these opportunities that will be released in the upcoming weeks.
You can also Sign up to receive NIH and the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act e-mail updates.
Bottom Line: In addition to opportunities to access the available set-aside dollars (est. $650 million) for NIH SBIR/STTR awards, you have opportunities to access Recovery Act funding under other new programs/initiatives (e.g., Challenge Grants (RC1), administrative supplements, competitive supplements) that NIH is/will soon be offering.
I sincerely hope you consider applying to those funding opportunities that you deem are appropriate and relevant to your company’s core capabilities/strategies. I encourage you to focus your energies on preparing a strong application that aligns with the goals of the Recovery Act and the mission of NIH. Each funding opportunity includes a program contact within the Institute/Center sponsoring the initiative. These individuals welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.
Best regards,
Jo Anne
PS: Don’t forget to get registered in Grants.gov and eRA Commons
PPS: Registration is now open for 11th Annual NIH SBIR/STTR Conference (June 30-July 1, 2009 in NE)
http://nbdc.unomaha.edu/SBIR/NIHconference/home.htm
Jo Anne Goodnight | NIH SBIR/STTR Program Coordinator; Director, Division of Special Programs |
OEP, OER, NIH, DHHS | Phone: 301-435-2688 | Fax: 301-489-0146 | JG128w@nih.gov
Web Pages of Interest:
• Small Business Research Funding Opportunities (SBIR/STTR Solicitations)
• NIH Pipeline to Partnerships (Showcase of NIH SBIR/STTR and NIH Licensed Technologies)
SBIR/STTR Collaboration Opportunities and Research Partnerships

This seminar hosted by Center for Emerging Technologies will focus on providing the descriptions of various federal and state tax credit programs as well as business development incentives offered by the City of St. Louis.  Our presenters will also discuss SBIR/SSTR contracts and grants, as well as partnering opportunities with Missouri Institutions such as the Leonard Wood Institute.   Learn how small and mid-size companies can qualify for and recover Federal R&D Tax Credits which could potentially offset your tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis and be carried forward for 20 years.   Find out what state and local programs you are eligible for and where to start and locate your business in order to maximize your benefits.   For current businesses, find out how to earn credits right now for large capital investments and new full-time positions.  For entrepreneurs looking to start a business find out how to signup for tax credit programs now that will earn you income tax credits as your company grows.  Many of these tax benefits are transferable.   More info here: Link to pdf flyer  

DATE/TIME: Wednesday, April 1, 2009:  2:00 – 5:00 PM 

PLACE: Center for Emerging Technologies, 4041 Forest Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108 

PARKING: Available on Forest Park Ave. 

REGISTRATION: Registration fees for this event are $30. Cash or check only, we are unable to process credit cards.  Please register by submitting your contact information through any one of the following sources: Fax: (314) 615-6901, Phone: (314) 615-6915, E-Mail:  CET_programs@emergingtech.org, or Mail to the address above.

The National Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer (NCET2) has created a new website to SHOWCASE researchers and their research to grant providers, entrepreneurs, SBIRs/STTRs, other researchers, VCs, the Global 1000, angel investors, and small business research companies in order to help the researchers commercialize their work.

Go to http://researchers.ncet2backoffice.org/ for more information and to provide a profile about yourself and your research. 

They will have the first live Virtual Online Poster Sessions on April 8, 1pm-2:30pm. They will select the most exciting 10-15 research profiles from those submitted over the next few weeks to invite the researchers to make powerpoint presentations on the April 8 poster sessions webinar.

On February 17, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). As part of the Recovery Act, NIH has designated at least $200 million in FYs 2009 - 2010 for a new initiative called the NIH Challenge Grants in Health and Science Research, to fund 200 or more grants (contingent upon the submission of a sufficient number of scientifically meritorious applications). This new program will support research on Challenge Topics which address specific scientific and health research challenges in biomedical and behavioral research that will benefit from significant 2-year jumpstart funds. Challenge Areas, defined by the NIH, focus on specific knowledge gaps, scientific opportunities, new technologies, data generation, or research methods that would benefit from an influx of funds to quickly advance the area in significant ways. The research in these areas should have a high impact in biomedical or behavioral science and/or public health.

Small businesses are eligible to apply for grants under this program. Note: The due date is April 27, 2009.

Although the Act provides that the funds to NIH not be subject to the SBIR/STTR set-aside requirement, small businesses ARE ELIGIBLE to apply for Recovery Act NIH funding opportunities (e.g., Challenge Grants, administrative supplements, competitive supplements). 

The Leonard Wood Institute (LWI) is pleased to announce the release of its Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2009 Collaborative Research Program.  LWI is seeking applied research proposals from companies, non-profit organizations, universities, and government agencies. LWI intends to provide approximately $18.0 million in research funding through subawards for projects to be initiated and completed during FY2009-2010.  Research funding was made available to LWI through a Cooperative Agreement (W911NF-07-2-0062) with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and is intended to produce useful technologies for the U.S. Army, particularly the Army’s Maneuver Support Center (MANSCEN) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

The requested proposals will be in the form of white papers and constitute the first step in a two-step proposal process that will lead to funding awards for selected projects on or before July 14, 2009. See the schedule listed below for project milestones and target dates.

To view or download the 2009 Collaborative Research RFP, visit the LWI website. To receive consideration for funding, white paper submittals must be received by 5:00 p.m. CDT, April 3, 2009.

For more information contact me: Kathy Volz (LWI Technical Program Manager)

573-329-8502, x2273, kathy.volz@leonardwoodinstitute.org

At least 25 of the federal agencies that received funding through the Recovery Act have created recovery webpages to allow easier access for potential grantees to the funding opportunities available through the act.  Links to 25 agency recovery websites are available at: http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/agencies

Already one negative: “The Office of the Director of the NIH will receive $8.2 billion. Of that amount, $7.4 billion will go to support general scientific research at the various institutes and centers within the NIH, and the remaining $800 million will be chosen at the discretion of the NIH Director for short-term grants that can be completed within two years. These allocations to the NIH are not subject to SBIR/STTR set-aside requirements.”

There might be other increased opportunities from NIH, but it won’t come from SBIR/STTR.  Dept of Health & Human Services Recovery Site: http://www.dhhs.gov/recovery/

Also a quick note, as of 2/8/09 Grants.gov has some new submission functionality (via pdf files).   For detailed information on these enhancements please click on one of the following links:

http://www.grants.gov/assets/SystemEnhancements2008-03A.pdf

http://www.grants.gov/aboutgrants/buildreleases.jsp