Bloomington, Ind. (Feb. 7, 2022) – Three organizations are teaming up to help the state’s small businesses successfully vie for federal funds that are pivotal in making it possible for these companies to grow and compete.
The Indiana Procurement and Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), IN3 (Indiana Innovation Institute) and NavalX Midwest Tech Bridge are providing hands-on assistance to qualifying small businesses. Hosting a series of free statewide workshops, the organizations will offer guidance on how to take advantage of the federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs.
SBIR is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses (500 or fewer employees) to engage in federal research and research and development (R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive award process, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from commercializing their products.
The STTR program expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation arena. Central to the program is the expansion of the public/private sector partnership to include joint venture opportunities between small businesses and non-profit research institutions.
The programs’ objectives are to stimulate technological innovation, engage small businesses to meet federal research and development needs, foster and encourage participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses, and increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal R&D funding.
“Indiana PTAC, as part of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, exists to help Indiana companies sell their products and services to appropriate government agencies by offering no-cost counseling services and workshops,” said Chris Jeffers, state director of Indiana PTAC. “Through our partnership with IN3, we can offer even greater assistance to Indiana small businesses – particularly in the defense sector – and we’re excited to hold these sessions across the state of Indiana in the coming months.”
Six workshops will be held regionally throughout the state. The sessions are as follows:
- Terre Haute, Feb. 18, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Mussallem Union (Lake Room, MU 171)
- Jeffersonville, March 15, location to be announced
- Fort Wayne, April 11, location to be announced
- Evansville, May 4, location to be announced
- Indianapolis, June 14, location to be announced
- West Lafayette, Sept. 14, location to be announced
“One of our primary missions as an organization is to help Indiana become a hub of national security innovation,” said Steve Kelly, IN3 president and CEO. “The SBIR/STTR programs are an ideal way to grow the defense sector in Indiana and help small businesses access federal dollars and, ultimately, help them find new markets for their products and services. We are delighted to partner with Indiana PTAC in this important endeavor.”
Anne Fields, Midwest Tech Bridge director, said, “This effort is exciting because of its potential impact, not only for providing new opportunities to businesses, but also in providing solutions to our warfighters and new partners for NWSC Crane to support our mission and increase our impact.”