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Elements of a Successful SBIR Proposer
At the beginning of the quest for an SBIR/STTR award, people often consider several issues, such as fit of the solicitation or agency to their work, the deadline for a proposal, etc. However, arguably the first thing to consider is a good self-assessment to have a clear understanding of the fit of the program to the entrepreneur and team.
With that, some key attributes of a successful SBIR venture are as follows:
NIH SBIR/STTR Preparation, Proposal Development
and Submission Video Resources
Summarized below is a list of video resources that NIH has made available. The wide range of topics include:
- A mock review panel
- Using the NIH RePORT database
- Budgeting
- IP protection
- ASSIST submission portal
If you are considering an SBIR/STTR submission to NIH, it is well worth your time to listen to some of these videos to get a clear understanding of the inner workings of the NIH SBIR/STTR program. Happy listening!
Agency Solicitation Calendar
It is important to keep a close eye on SBIR/STTR solicitations that are offered by participating federal agencies.
The current calendar of open and upcoming solicitations is:
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AGENCY
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PRE-RELEASE
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OPENS
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CLOSES
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NIH
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| Multiple Dates | April 5, 2021 September 5, 2021
January 5, 2022 | | NSF |
| March 5, 2021 | June 3, 2021 | | DoD: 21.B and 21.2 BAA | April 21, 2021 | May 19, 2021 | June 17, 2021 | | DoD: 21.C and 21.3 BAA | August 25, 2021 | September 23, 2021 | October 22, 2021 | | EPA |
| June 2021 | September 2021 | | USDA |
| July 2021 | October 2021 | | Commerce: NOAA |
| October 2021 | January 2022 | | NASA |
| November 2021 | January 2022 | | Homeland Security |
| December 2021 | January 2022 | | DoEd |
| December 2021 | January 2022 | | DOE |
| December 2021 | February 2022 | | NOT |
| February 2022 | March 2022 | | Commerce: NIST |
| January 2022 | April 2022 |
SBIR Awardees Take Part in Summer Graduate
Commercialization Consulting Program
2021 marks the 20th anniversary of this organized summer internship program.
Eleven graduate student interns from across the state are working with 22 small businesses, many of which are SBIR/STTR awardees. Projects include primary market research, financial analysis, commercialization plan development, market assessments, competitive analysis and more. Participating schools included NC State, UNC-CH, Duke, and Western Carolina.
The program is a terrific opportunity for graduate students to learn about the technology commercialization process by working directly at early stage companies in a wide variety of industries.
SBIR/STTR Success: Lab-Grown Blood Vessels
Could Help Dialysis Patients
Originally published at SBIR.gov
The Durham, NC company, Humacyte, is developing bioengineered blood vessels that become incorporated into a patient's blood vessels. Because the body regenerates the implanted vessel, it doesn't wear down like other synthetic alternatives.
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Recap: Raising Capital in Uncertain Times
We recently hosted a 12-month follow-up to our original April 2020 session "Raising Capital in Uncertain Times." Panelists Eva Doss of The Launch Place and Mark Friedman of RTP Capital reviewed the impact of COVID-19 on early-stage funding over the past year and discussed the current funding landscape.
A recording of the session is available at:
NC Qualified Business Investor Tax Credit
The North Carolina Qualified Business Investor Tax Credit program (QBV) is a program that historically incentivized early-stage investment into high-risk ventures. The NC tax reform in 2013 eliminated the program despite having bipartisan support from the legislature and having demonstrated a major economic impact on the entrepreneurial community.
In recent months, there has been renewed interest by the NC General Assembly to reenact the credit program. This is due to its potential to stimulate early-state investment in North Carolina companies and to level the playing field for entrepreneurs in the state versus neighboring states that do have angel investor tax credit programs. On April 26, HB680 was filed in the House of Representatives to bring the program back. See bill sponsors and draft here: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2021/H680
Part of our role at the SBTDC is educating entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial stakeholders about policies that might impact them, such as the QBV. As such, we will relay relevant information about the tax credit if passed.
For more information on the QBV initiative, visit Venture Asheville's site dedicated to the program:
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SBTDC's Technology Commercialization Team and Services
The SBTDC's team of Technology Commercialization Counselors includes Nicole Schwerbrock, Mike Carnes, Chris Veal, Rachel Burton, Bryan Dennstedt, and John Ujvari, who offer advisory services to help your IP-based business grow. Below are some of the specific items we can guide you through. Contact us at http://www.sbtdc.org/programs/tech/contact-us/.
Book Recommendation -- "Business Made Simple"
Business Made Simple recently announced their new book and, not only, are their free tips emailed to you each month, they are extremely helpful for businesses big or small. Most businesses are strong at their product, this resource helps you in all the other aspects of running your company. Each day, their newsletter provides a quick 2-3 minute video on a topic to reflect or drive forward your business. They are well worth the listen. Check out this resource, as well as their new book.
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MORE SBTDC TARGETED SERVICES
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SELLING TO THE GOVERNMENT
The SBTDC's Government Contracting Assistance Program educates business associates on how to obtain contracts by providing comprehensive assistance in selling products and services to local, state and federal government agencies.
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INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The SBTDC's International Business Development Counselors assist small and mid-sized businesses with export planning and exporting.
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The Team
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The Technology Commercialization Services team provides one-on-one business counseling and advice to: small business owners, university researchers, and entrepreneurs looking to advance their innovations to the marketplace.
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Director, Technology Development
& Commercialization
Statewide
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RACHEL BURTON 
Technology Commercialization Counselor
Eastern NC
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Technology Commercialization Counselor
Eastern NC
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BRYAN DENNSTEDT
Technology Commercialization Counselor
Western NC
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JOHN UJVARI
SBIR/STTR Specialist & Newsletter Editor
Statewide
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CHRIS VEAL
Technology Commercialization Counselor
North Central NC
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Copyright © 2021. NC Small Business and Technology Development Center. All Rights Reserved.
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