AMES, Iowa -- Iowa businesses have won $4.3 million in federal innovation and technology transfer funds so far this fiscal year.
That compares to $2.5 million that came to Iowa during the entire July 1-June 30, 2005, fiscal year.
Kris Johansen, the administrator of an Iowa State program designed to help Iowa businesses attract federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer funding, would like to see that funding grow higher and higher.
And so she has organized the first Iowa SBIR/STTR Conference. The conference will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 5, in the Scheman Building at the Iowa State Center. Registration fees are $40 through May 29 and $60 after that. Registration fees include conference sessions, conference materials, lunch and refreshments.
The conference's theme is Partnerships for Innovation in Manufacturing. Conference sessions will include an "SBIR/STTR 101" overview and information about manufacturing opportunities in the federal programs, universities as resources, business development and Iowa success stories. Several awards will also be presented to Iowa companies that have won the federal funding.
The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs help American-owned and independently operated for-profit companies with 500 or fewer employees. The major difference between the programs is that the technology transfer program requires small businesses to partner with qualifying nonprofit research institutions. The programs offer startup grants of up to $100,000 and continuing awards up to $750,000.
Johansen said the program offers grants of more than $2 billion per year. But the grants are highly competitive. About one of every eight startup applicants wins funding.
Johansen said the Iowa conference's potential attendees include entrepreneurs, small high-tech companies, small and large manufacturers, university researchers and service providers.
"I really encourage people to attend," she said. "It's a great learning opportunity for anybody interested in these programs."
For more information, see http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/sbir/home.html