SBIR Overview: How to Leverage America’s Seed Fund

SBDC Overview

Fundraising can be extremely. The SBIR program is the nation's largest source of early stage/high risk funding for start-ups and small businesses. The highly competitive SBIR program encourages domestic small businesses to engage in federal research and research development (R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. SBIR enables small businesses to explore technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization Format: In person City of Mesa Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios facility 59 E 1st St Floor 2, Mesa, AZ 85201

Registration link:

Objectives (What will participants know and/or be able to do after attending):

1. Identify if your company is a candidate for SBIR/STTR funding
2. Review of the start capital landscape and how SBIR funding fits in
3. Understand the basics of the SBIR/STTR programs.
4. Appreciate the emphasis on commercialization. Topics include: • The startup capital landscape • SBIR/STTR program goals • Identification of participating agencies • The differences between SBIR’s and STTR’s • Identification of the three-phase process • Arizona Fast Grant Initiatives • Availability community resources that can assist Audience: • Early-stage technology based businesses actively engaged in fundraising • Newcomers to the SBIR/STTR programs • Businesses who have previously submitted Phase 1 proposals but have not received awards • Successful Phase 1 winners Facilitator/Speakers (if there will be a guest speaker, provide guest speaker email address, social media handles bio, and headshot of the guest speaker): Lou Farina is a Small Business Analyst at the Maricopa SBDC specializing in technology commercialization. Locally, Lou has served as a strategic advisor, consultant and angel investor. He has served as an official SBIR Reviewer for the National Science Foundation. Wiley Larsen is Director of SBIR Programs and University Partnerships at the Arizona Commerce Authority. Wiley has been involved in entrepreneurship for over 15 years, and has co-founded of two startups. He previously served as program manager for the Arizona State University Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation where he assisted ASU faculty and staff with commercialization. He has been an NSF I-Corps mentor and a Lean Startup instructor.