Write to Win Again
Crafting successful SBIR/STTR Phase II proposals
Small businesses receive more than $2 billion in federal grants and contracts each year through the SBIR and STTR programs. The Phase II Proposal Writing Workshop being offered by the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center on July 9 is designed specifically for companies that have received at least one SBIR or STTR Phase I award and are confident they will be invited to submit a Phase II proposal. Others interested in SBIR/STTR are also welcome.
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program provides federal funding for business and product strategies that meet federal research and development needs. Covering all agencies that participate in SBIR and STTR (a sister program), this eight-hour course examines proposal outlines from various federal agencies and offers techniques and exercises that address every proposal section.
Instructor Sharon Ballard will focus on two areas key to winning SBIR funding: the work plan and the commercialization plan. She will share specific steps to attract commercialization partners and provide tools, techniques, and methods for doing business with the government will also be provided. In addition, staffing strategies will be explored since a Phase II effort typically requires new and additional skills.
The workshop will be held at University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is co-sponsored by Arkansas EPSCoR.
For more information, contact Mildred Holley, ASBTDC Technology Programs manager, at mxholley@ualr.edu or 501-683-7716.
About Sharon Ballard of EnableVentures, Inc.
Sharon C. Ballard, a multiple-SBIR awardee and entrepreneur with extensive experience as entrepreneurial coach and instructor, is the founding president and CEO of EnableVentures, Inc., and the former president and CEO of Reticular Systems, Inc. Under her leadership, the company won more than 30 SBIR and related awards.
A frequent lecturer on all aspects of high technology entrepreneurship, Ballard has been assisting clients in the preparation of their SBIR/STTR proposals since 1993. She has coached entrepreneurs in Europe and across the U.S. and is a founding management fellow for Arizona State University's Technopolis Program, which focuses on educating, coaching and networking early-stage entrepreneurs. She developed the Supercoach® system and toolset.
"Scientists and engineers tell us what is possible, but I really enjoy helping them turn what is possible into business realities," Ballard says. "I am convinced that some of the best entrepreneurs are actually scientists and engineers who make the decision to learn the language and science of business."
Feedback from participants in Sharon Ballard's Phase 1 workshop
at UALR in September 2008:
"Valuable introduction to SBIR/STTR world. Substance, not cheerleading." - Tom W.
"Essential for anyone attempting to fund a start-up through this program." - Anonymous
"Practical, real world knowledge." - Bruce B.
"It clarifies the SBIR process in a short time." - Pam M.
Program Agenda
Download SBIR Phase II Proposal Writing Workshop program agenda (PDF, 131kb)
Registration
Registration fee includes breakfast, lunch and materials.
Save $50! Register before June 25 and qualify for the $150 registration rate. Registration after June 25 goes up to $200. Faculty may register for $100. Space is limited to 40 participants.
Related Links
Previous Arkansas SBIR/STTR Awardees
Federal Agencies That Participate in SBIR/STTR
Arkansas Science & Technology Authority Technology Transfer Assistance Grant (TTAG) Program
Tech Track
Keep up with deadlines for SBIR/STTR proposals and other innovation and technology business news by subscribing to ASBTDC's free Tech Track e-newsletter, published twice a month.
