The Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center is partnering with the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana to outline details of the Small Business Innovation Research program from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday Aug. 31 at the Technology Center, 9800 Connecticut Drive.
Grant Funding for Developing Technologies: Learn the Ins and Outs of SBIRs is a first step for business owners interested in obtaining funds to develop and commercialize innovative technology. The seminar will offer an overview of the program and the application process.
The SBIR program provides competitive grants to businesses conducting research that will lead to commercialized products and services. As part of the process, applicants are required to submit detailed proposals to federal agencies that make the awards based on the proposal’s degree of innovation, technical merit and future market potential.
Businesses that receive awards then begin a three-phase program:
- Phase 1 – Feasibility Study ($100,000 to $150,000, six to 12 months)
- Phase 2 – Develop Prototype/Proof-of-Concept ($500,000 to $1 million, two years)
- Phase 3 – Commercialization (Usually no grants, sole-source procurement)
The cost is $25, which includes a light breakfast. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. To register, contact the NWI SBDC at 219-644-3513 or register online at http://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com, click on training events, choose Northwest under centers and follow the instructions.
Serving seven counties in the region, the NWI SBDC offers free assistance for entrepreneurs starting or expanding their businesses. Through one-on-one consulting, the NWI SBDC helps guide small businesses toward their goals by offering referrals, workshops, training opportunities and other essential business tools. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Small Business Administration, the State of Indiana and other local partners.
For more information, visit www.nwisbdc.org.