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Competing For USDA SBIR Grants – Best Practice Tips 6/23- Missoula

2004-06-23 08:00:00
Missoula Enterprise Technology Center (MonTEC) – 1121 Broadway

Competing for USDA SBIR Grants

Best Practice Tips for Developing an Award Winning Proposal

June 23, 2004

8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Counseling Sessions: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m

Missoula Enterprise Technology Center

1121 Broadway
Missoula, MT

This workshop is sponsored by the Montana Department of Commerce SBIR Program, Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation, Missoula Enterprise Technology Center, Montana Community Development Corporation, Missoula Area Small Business Development Center and University of Montana.

Agenda

7:30 to 8:00 a.m.

Registration

8:00 to 8:15 a.m.

Welcome

8:15 to 9:15 a.m.

Dr. William Goldner

“Inside the Evaluation Process at the USDA”

9:15 to 9:45 a.m.

Dr. Tony Rudbach

“Working with Montana’s University System”

9:45 to 10:15 a.m.

John Balsam, SBIR Coach/Counselor

“Is the SBIR Program a Good Fit for My Company?”

10:15 to 10:45 a.m.

BREAK

10:45 to 11:15 a.m.

Steve Grover, Small Business Development Center Director

“Business Planning for Your Innovation”

11:15 to 11:45 a.m.

Craig Rawlings, Small Wood Enterprise Agent

“Helping Develop SBIR Ideas for Wood Product Innovations”

12:00 to 12:45 p.m.

Catered Lunch

Dick King, Missoula Enterprise Technology Center

“Business Incubators for Start-Up Companies”

1:00 to 5:30 p.m.

One-on-One Counseling Sessions with Speakers

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To sign up for an appointment you must contact Linda Brander at (406)
841-2749 or . To view appointment calendars of all
speakers go to: http://sbir.state.mt.us/BRD_SBIR_USDAtime.html

All appointments will be scheduled on a first come first serve basis.

***************

Dr. William Goldner, National SBIR Director at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Washington D.C., is the keynote speaker. He will provide an insider’s perspective on the evaluation process at the USDA. He will discuss:

* What evaluators look for in SBIR proposals

* How USDA’s evaluation process compares to other federal SBIR agencies

* Common reasons why SBIR proposals don’t make the cut

* Best practice tips to help a company develop an award winning proposal

Available appointment timeslots http://sbir.state.mt.us/BRD_SBIR_USDAtime.html

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Dr. Tony Rudbach, Vice President, Research & Economic Development, University of Montana

Dr. Rudbach is a dedicated advocate for small companies doing business in Montana. At the University of Montana he is the Vice President of Research and Economic Development. His knowledge of Montana companies working in the high-tech innovation industry, as well as his connections within Montana’s university system, are invaluable. Use your counseling session with Dr. Rudbach to:

* Identify potential partners or collaborators in the private and university arenas
* Understand how to legally protect your idea with employees, consultants, and university researchers
* Identify the appropriate university researcher for your SBIR technical team
* Understand the different commercialization options for your idea or technology

Available appointment timeslots http://sbir.state.mt.us/BRD_SBIR_USDAtime.html

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John Balsam, SBIR Counselor/Coach

John Balsam has more than 10 years experience in helping small companies conduct market research, develop and compose SBIR proposals, and develop commercialization strategies. Presently he is working as a SBIR coach for the Montana Department of Commerce’s SBIR Program. Use your counseling session with Mr. Balsam to:

* Verify if your small company is eligible to compete for federal SBIR grants
* Determine if your idea can compete at the federal level
* Help you assess if you want to invest the time and resources to apply for federal funds
* Get you started on a specific work plan to develop and submit a SBIR proposal

Available appointment timeslots http://sbir.state.mt.us/BRD_SBIR_USDAtime.html

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Steve Grover, Small Business Development Center Director, Montana Community Development Corporation (MCDC)

Steve is the Director of the Small Business Development Center at Montana Community Development Corporation. Steve is responsible for developing and providing technical assistance programs for small business owners and entrepreneurs in a multi-county region.

Steve joined MCDC in November of 2002. Steve’s twelve years of business experience includes working as a CPA for Ernst & Young, a management position with Microsoft, and ownership/management of three construction companies in Western Montana. Use your counseling session with Mr. Grover to:

* Discuss your company’s vision and mission statement
* Understand the differences between your commercialization and business plan
* Learn how to interface your commercialization strategy into your business plan
* Identify other funding sources to leverage the development of your technology or idea

Available appointment timeslots http://sbir.state.mt.us/BRD_SBIR_USDAtime.html

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Craig Rawlings, Small Wood Enterprise Agent, Montana Community Development Corporation (MCDC)

As MCDC’s Small Wood Enterprise Agent, Craig helps companies seek out ideas for new wood products, provides technical assistance to develop business plans, offers guidance for market research, and helps companies identify financial opportunities in the form of loans or grants. Use your counseling session with Mr. Rawlings to:

* Identify resources, players, and market trends in the small diameter wood product industry that could enhance your SBIR proposal
* Help determine your company’s or idea’s suitability for the SBIR program
* Identify other resources that could help with the development of your idea

Available appointment timeslots http://sbir.state.mt.us/BRD_SBIR_USDArawlings.html

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