- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Arkansas company wins USDA grant with help from ASBTDC

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 13:15:18 +0000

A small business in northwest Arkansas has received a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture with assistance from the based at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. GSS (Grow-Supply-Sustain) Group LLC of Bella Vista, Arkansas, has won a Small Business Innovation Research grant to produce a vertical hydroponic design that can grow crops alongside horizontal hydroponic systems or in a window. In hydroponics, plants are grown in sand, gravel, or liquid with added nutrients but without soil. Existing hydroponic producers can benefit from the market-ready apparatus by using it to maximize their greenhouse capacity to grow more crops in more spaces. The GSS Group emphasizes sustainability in every aspect of business and promotes social responsibility through its reduce and reuse policies. GSS Group President Danielle Dozier began exploring her passion for sustainable food production while attending the University of Arkansas, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in horticulture sciences in 2015. “During my college years, I made friends from Africa, India, and other Eastern countries,” she said. “I began to see a need for sustainable food production in these population-dense areas that are going through major urbanization revolutions. God then came to me and instilled purpose. I must do something, even small, to do my part.” Dozier contacted the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center for assistance. helped Dozier navigate the federal funding opportunities available for small tech companies. “It has been an absolute privilege working with Danielle to develop her SBIR proposal and plan next steps. Her enthusiasm for GSS’s research and dedication to writing competitive SBIR proposals makes her a great asset for Arkansas as well as a wonderful ASBTDC client,” said Norman. The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs are specifically designed to support small business innovations with high commercial potential. “The SBIR/STTR program is the single largest source of funding for technology companies conducting new research and development leading to commercialization. At $2.5 billion annually, these federal awards take the form of grants or contracts and don’t require companies to give up any company ownership,” said Norman. The ASBTDC provides ongoing consulting, market research and education for entrepreneurs and companies interested in conducting new research to move their innovative ideas to market through the SBIR/STTR program. “The ASBTDC staff was the key to our success,” Dozier said. “Rebecca Norman is a gem. She never delayed in responding to my many questions and review submissions. She helped me properly register for everything and did not let me forget one syllable,” said Dozier. With the grant, Dozier will hire an engineer experienced with water apparatuses and another employee who is experienced with computer-aided design and can operate a large-format 3D printer. “My team is small but fierce. I have dedicated my life to this food production method and to progressing the efficiency and sustainability of hydroponics,” Dozier said. In the upper right photo, Danielle Dozier serves as president of GSS Group LLC in Bella Vista, Arkansas.

Norman serves on National Science Foundation review panel

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 14:44:02 +0000

An Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center employee recently served on a National Science Foundation panel reviewing (SBIR/STTF) federal funding proposals. In her role as the center’s innovation consultant, Rebecca Norman helps Arkansas entrepreneurs and companies develop SBIR/STTF proposals. Dr. Anna Brady-Estevez, the agency’s SBIR/STTR program manager, invited her to participate in the review panel March 16 in Arlington, Virginia. The experience gave Norman “an enhanced understanding of the key considerations that are weighed during proposal evaluation and how the panelists converse with each other to arrive at a consensus,” she said. Norman’s panel focused on the research topic “Environmental Sensing, Monitoring, and Modeling.” They considered the technical and commercial strengths and weaknesses of 14 proposals and suggested rankings for funding consideration, while also giving all applicants meaningful feedback. Each panelist served as lead reviewer and scribe for three proposals, reviewing and ranking others prior to the session. Even proposals with great commercial potential also need to be technically strong, Norman observed. “Although preliminary data is not required for NSF SBIR/STTR proposals, most reviewers do want to see that there is sound technical backing for a proposed approach and that applicants have considered the full range of factors that technologies would be exposed to in a real-world environment,” she said. Norman enjoyed her first turn as a commercial reviewer and hopes for additional review panel opportunities with the National Science Foundation or other agencies. “It was a great learning experience that I can use to benefit future Arkansas SBIR/STTR applicants,” she said.

Rebecca Norman recognized as State Star

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 14:25:53 +0000

Rebecca Norman was honored as the State Star for Arkansas Sept. 19 at the 36th annual conference of America’s Small Business Development Centers in Orlando.

Rebecca Norman

Norman is the innovation consultant for the , which is part of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business. She received the State Star designation for contributing significantly to the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center program, being an exemplary performer, and showing a strong commitment to Arkansas small businesses and entrepreneurs. A State Star is chosen from each state, regional, or territorial Small Business Development Center program. Norman, who has a master’s degree in professional and technical writing from ��Vlog��ýLR, joined the center full time in 2009 after serving as a graduate assistant. In her role as innovation consultant, she assists technology-based small businesses and university researchers throughout Arkansas. She specializes in helping clients navigate the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) federal funding programs and develop winning proposals. Norman has helped clients win $10.3 million in competitive grants and awards and other capital funding. She also leads frequent classroom training and webinars on technology commercialization and SBIR/STTR. With about 1,000 centers across the nation, America’s Small Business Development Center network is a partnership uniting private enterprise, government, higher education, and local nonprofit economic development organizations. It is the U.S. Small Business Administration’s largest partnership program, providing management and technical assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their own businesses. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center program is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the ��Vlog��ýLR College of Business. ASBTDC assists new, existing, and expanding small businesses and innovation-based ventures through a statewide network of seven offices. Learn more at .

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

Arkansas company wins USDA grant with help from ASBTDC

Norman serves on National Science Foundation review panel

Rebecca Norman recognized as State Star

- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock