By Jessica Legge
FAIRMONT — At an upcoming conference, people from the state and beyond can learn how to grow their capacity through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Innovative Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.
The 2009 Mid-Atlantic SBIR/STTR Conference is scheduled for Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown. The West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation’s INNOVA Commercialization Group and the West Virginia Development Office are hosting the event. Judy McCauley, district director of the SBA’s West Virginia District Office, is serving as an adviser during the planning.
“Today’s high-tech entrepreneurs must innovate and commercialize to compete globally. This is a pivotal moment for the state to host the SBIR/STTR conference and nurture our high-tech businesses,” West Virginia Department of Commerce Cabinet Secretary Kelley Goes said in a press release.
Patrick Gregg, outreach manager for INNOVA and FastTrac statewide administrator, said this is the first SBIR/STTR conference to take place in West Virginia.
“With all of the activity that West Virginia’s putting forth in research and technology transfer to try to put itself on the map, it’s really exciting to be hosting an event of this magnitude,” he said.
The state of Delaware will be participating, and several other states from the mid-Atlantic region are also expected to attend. The event will bring together entrepreneurs, researchers, economic development and technology transfer professionals, and colleges and universities.
Guy Peduto, director of INNOVA, said the conference is primarily designed for small businesses that are looking to expand their capabilities through research and development.
INNOVA has been supporting the $2.5 billion SBIR and STTR programs in West Virginia for a number of years through funding provided by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, he said.
Peduto said INNOVA partners with the state in offering support for small businesses to participate in these programs, which stimulate technological innovation. INNOVA can provide funding to offset the costs of submitting proposals and can give professional assistance in applying for the programs.
This conference is an effort to create awareness among small businesses and encourage them to participate in the SBIR and STTR programs, he said.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for any small business that’s looking to expand their capacity or grow through a funded program that will provide resources for them to grow,” Peduto said.
These SBA programs even the playing field so small businesses can compete, and they’re not just for high-technology companies, he said.
“This conference is going to provide opportunities for collaboration,” Gregg said. “People are going to be learning how to write better SBIR and STTR proposals. They’re going to be doing things like finding what opportunities are out there and who they might partner (with).”
During the conference, representatives from different federal agencies will give presentations. The following entities will be present: The National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, DARPA and State Science and Technology Institute.
“We’re adding speakers as we get them confirmed all the time,” Gregg said. “We expect to have a full agenda.”
Preconference workshops and a welcome reception will be held Monday, Nov. 30, and the conference will start the following day. Registration for the event opens on Monday, Sept. 14.
“This is an opportunity for small business, and the SBA provides this money through these two programs in order to prompt innovation all the time,” Gregg said.
“There’s already a number of small businesses within this area that participate in this program, and we’re really excited to be holding this here to encourage other small businesses to become aware of the opportunities that are available,” Peduto added.
For more information, visit the Mid-Atlantic SBIR/STTR Conference Web site at www.midatlanticsbir.com.
E-mail Jessica Legge at jlegge@timeswv.com.
