Career and lifestyle speaker and author, Barbara Sher once said, "Change is not only likely, it's inevitable." So it has been with BBCetc of late, and there are many exciting changes to report!

	Kris Bergman

	Becky Aistrup

First, as of October 1, BBCetc's Becky Aistrup and Kris Bergman became the new owners of BBC Entrepreneurial Training and Consulting, LLC. Lisa Kurek will continue on as a full-time member of the team working with clients, conducting training and supporting Becky and Kris, so we are all very pleased that our well-honed team will be working together as usual. As Managing Partner and an owner since 1997, Lisa expanded the company's reach both in breadth of expertise and national presence.  Now, with Becky and Kris at the helm, BBCetc will continue helping technology-based small businesses reach their milestones by providing high-value information, training, and guidance to move them along the path to market.

Second, BBCetc has moved from it's former home office in Ann Arbor, MI, to a new office in the nearby town of Chelsea, MI. Our new address is 12671 E. Old U.S. Highway 12, Suite C, Chelsea, 48118. Our phone number is still 734-930-9741. Please make a note of it! 

Finally, in October the Michigan Strategic Fund renewed BBCetc's contract for management of the  Michigan SBIR/STTR Assistance Program  through 2018. Not only is this excellent news for the BBCetc team as we will continue on as the state rep for Michigan, it is great news for our Michigan entrepreneurs, clients and partner organizations. The Michigan SBIR/STTR Assistance Program helps Michigan's technology companies secure federal SBIR/STTR funding for development of their innovative products and services, and we are honored to play a role in that endeavor. Since it began in 2002, program clients have been awarded over $194 million in SBIR/STTR grants and contracts.

We hope you'll keep in touch and let us know if we can help your company, your clients, your faculty or others. We look forward to hearing how we can help! www.bbcetc.com   @BBC_etc

Kris, Becky, Michael, Jayne, Andrea and Lisa 

You've submitted an SBIR/STTR proposal and have been awarded. Great news, right? But before you receive any money something in your company changes from that portrayed in your proposal. Panic time? Not necessarily. Agencies recognize that the budget presented in your application is somewhat "experimental," and between the time you submit and receive any money, your company may experience changes that can be expected in any evolving business.

Our best rule of thumb is that whenever you are contemplating or have experienced significant post submission or post award changes, and you are uncertain about the need for prior approval, consult in advance with the awarding agency's contract officer or grants management officer/specialist. Here are some general guidelines for what constitutes significant change that requires agency permission: Read on

Match Your Product to the Agency Mission for SBIR/STTR Success

Finding the best agency to fund your new product idea can be frustrating. You've identified a market need and know exactly how to solve the problem of your preferred target customer. The only catch is that the agency does not share your enthusiasm for the proposed product or its market potential. How to proceed?

First of all, realize that many solid, and potentially profitable, product ideas are not suitable for the SBIR or STTR programs. Perhaps there's not enough innovation or the product simply does not match the agency's mission or research priorities.

Although a granting agency, such as the National Science Foundation, has such broad technology interests you're almost guaranteed to find a home for your idea...as long as it's innovative and has commercial potential...not all agencies are equally accommodating. Read on

• May differ from laboratory to laboratory or over time;
• May have qualities and/or qualifications that could influence the research data; and
• Are integral to the proposed research.

Standard laboratory reagents that are not expected to vary do not need to be included in the plan. Read the FAQ