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There is still time to register for the National SBIR Road Tour, which will stop in Morgantown on Tuesday, July 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the West Virginia University Media Innovation Center, located at 62 Morrill Way in the Evansdale Crossing Building, on the 4th floor.

To register, click here.

The event will explain the opportunities available through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs for West Virginia researchers and entrepreneurs as part of the National SBIR Road Tour.

“Growing small businesses in West Virginia is critical if we hope to diversify our economy and create good paying jobs for state residents. The U.S. Small Business Administration and a number of innovation-focused organizations here in the state, have organized an opportunity to help entrepreneurs and researchers apply for funding to move their concept forward through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs,” said Anne Barth, executive director of TechConnect West Virginia.

The SBIR/STTR program is a highly competitive program that encourages small businesses to engage in federal research/research and development that has the potential for commercialization. For those that qualify, grant awards can be substantial and help the company get to market quicker.

Barth encouraged West Virginia organizations involved in research and development with an eye towards forming a business around their concept to register for this event.  To register, click here.

The updated agenda includes:

8:00 AM:            Registration Sign-in

8:00-8:30 AM:   Welcome

8:30 AM-Noon:  One-on-One Meetings with Agencies and Agency Presentations

Noon-1:00 PM:  Lunch and Networking

1:00-1:30 PM:    Lessons Learned & Common Mistakes

1:30-2:00 PM:    Local Resources Panel

2:00-2:30 PM:    Intellectual Property Rights—Monica Jaensson, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP

2:30-3:00 PM:    Making the Decision to Apply

3:00-3:30 PM:    Achieving SBIR Success—Brian Joseph, CEO of Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd.

The U.S. SBA’s SBIR Road Tour is part of a national outreach effort to explore technology funding opportunities provided through the SBIR and STTR programs. Federal Program Managers representing $2.5 billion in early stage funding have been invited to attend these events alongside technology entrepreneurs and innovation supporters from across the country. Participating agencies at time of publication include:  The Department of Commerce—National Institute of Standards & Techynology (NIST); The National Institutes of Health; the National Science Foundation; Department of Agriculture (USDA); Department of Energy (DOE); Department of Homeland Security (DHS); Department of Defense – (USN); Department of Defense – (USAF); US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); and Small Business Administration (SBA).

This national event is being facilitated in West Virginia by a group of local co-sponsors, including: SBA’s West Virginia District Office, TechConnect West Virginia, the WV High Technology Foundation/INNOVA, WV Small Business Development Center, WV SCORE, WV Regional Technology Park, Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing, Chemical Alliance Zone, Marshall University, West Virginia University, and Charleston Area Alliance.

For more information on the event contact Anne Barth at anne@techconnectwv.org or Nikki Bowmar with the SBA’s West Virginia District Office at nikki.bowmar@sba.gov or 304-623-7445.

Cosponsorship Authorization 16-0390-155: SBA’s participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.