/news-archive/tag/sbir/ ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Tue, 18 Sep 2018 13:07:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /news-archive/2018/09/18/asbtdc-grant-2/ Tue, 18 Sep 2018 13:07:16 +0000 /news/?p=71870 ... U.S. Small Business Administration grant extends center’s services for high-tech entrepreneurs]]> The (ASBTDC) at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $125,000 grant to assist innovative, technology-driven small businesses.  The U.S. Small Business Administration awarded the competitive funding as part of the. ASBTDC is one of, which include state and local economic development entities, Small Business and Technology Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, incubators, accelerators, colleges, and universities that provide support to small businesses developing and commercializing high-risk technologies.   FAST is designed to stimulate economic development with outreach, training, mentoring, financial support, and business/technical assistance to small businesses focused on research and development. Fostering participation of women-owned, rural-based, and socially and economically disadvantaged firms to help them compete in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs is a key aim. “SBA is thrilled to work with these organizations to increase the understanding of the SBIR/STTR programs,” said Administrator Linda McMahon. “FAST partners are an important part of the innovation entrepreneur ecosystem. They provide training, financial and technical assistance for small, next-generation technology businesses, and help them navigate federally funded innovation and R&D programs.” The grant will allow the center to provide consulting services to more entrepreneurs seeking funding through SBIR and STTR, said Laura Fine, state director of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center. Those services include market research and proposal writing assistance. “We look forward to helping more small firms in Arkansas commercialize their innovations,” Fine said. “We will continue to focus on assisting with SBIR and STTR proposal writing to increase the number of awards to Arkansas companies. Rebecca Todd, our innovation consultant, has a solid reputation with clients and federal program managers for helping Arkansas companies submit winning proposals.” To encourage participation in SBIR/STTR by companies owned by women, ASBTDC will build on the success of its 2018 “accelHERate” programs with additional outreach and events geared toward women entrepreneurs. Also, the center is a partner with the 2018 Arkansas Life Science Summit that will be held Oct. 25 in Conway. ASBTDC will also offer additional educational opportunities for innovative Arkansas entrepreneurs and technology-based companies, specifically in the area of intellectual property. SBA coordinates the SBIR/STTR programs, also known as America’s Seed Fund, which each year provides more than $2.5 billion in early-stage seed capital totaling nearly 5,000 awards to small businesses. Eleven participating federal government agencies announce funding opportunities as either grants or contracts to address their research and development needs. Companies supported by the SBIR/STTR programs often generate some of the most important breakthroughs each year in the U.S. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Small Business Administration through a partnership with the and other institutions of higher education. The center assists startups, existing businesses, expanding businesses, and innovation-based businesses statewide.]]> /news-archive/2018/03/22/sbir-road-tour/ Thu, 22 Mar 2018 13:42:34 +0000 /news/?p=69841 ... National Small Business Innovation Road Tour Coming to Little Rock to Promote $2.5B in Early-Stage Funding]]> Through SBIR and its sister program, Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), federal agencies award $2.5 billion annually to small companies developing groundbreaking technologies. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will host the Road Tour stop at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. “We are dedicated to supporting America’s entrepreneurs wherever they are. American innovation is not restricted by geographic or cultural boundaries,” said SBA Administrator Linda McMahon. “This tour reflects our commitment to ensuring that these innovators are aware of the resources that can help them turn a big idea into another great American innovation story.” Program managers from nine federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and the National Science Foundation, will meet one-on-one with attendees and share insights into how their agencies make funding decisions. The SBIR/STTR programs award more than 4,000 new grants and contracts per year. The funding has helped U.S. innovators advance new technologies and create thousands of jobs, according to SBA. The agencies fund a wide variety of innovations in health, cybersecurity, advanced materials, unmanned systems and more. The Road Tour looks to increase SBIR and STTR participation by women, small companies in underrepresented states like Arkansas and individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged. Small technology firms, entrepreneurs, scientists and researchers are encouraged to attend. Participants can also learn about state-specific resources for innovation-based ventures during the afternoon session. Lunch will be provided. There is no charge to attend, but pre-registration is required and available online. To learn more, visit or contact the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at 501-683-7700.]]> /news-archive/2018/02/15/ua-little-rock-instructor-leads-project-develop-stem-education-tool/ Thu, 15 Feb 2018 23:22:48 +0000 /news/?p=69437 ... ����Vlog��ý Little Rock instructor leads project to develop STEM education tool]]> Ben Rainwater, instructor of systems engineering with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, will lead a project at Brown Engineers to create a water engineering computer simulation for students in grades six through 12.  , an electrical engineering consulting firm in Little Rock, was awarded a $225,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Science Foundation. The simulation will be used to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education across the state. “We envision students would go through a guided simulation and then a game where the students are asked to solve a problem or respond to a crisis,” Rainwater said. “For example, the students could be asked to bring a central water line to a town. They would use math, science, and engineering principles to build a functioning water plant. It would be a rich environment to teach the students.” Rainwater, electrical design engineer at Brown Engineers, will serve as the project’s principal investigator, while his co-worker, Sam Vandiver, lead technologist, will be the lead technical advisor. “The project is intended to teach students about water engineering and career education,” Rainwater said. “We want to translate engineering practice to engineering education to teach students how to apply the concepts they are learning in the classroom.” The simulation will educate students about the water purification process, engineering skills needed to create infrastructure, water conservation, and careers in the water treatment industry. “We think that it is valuable to train students on pathways to water-related jobs and to tackle challenges related to our shared and most valuable resource,” he said. The encourages small businesses to engage in research and development that has the potential for commercialization. The one-year Phase 1 grant will cover market research costs like conducting interviews with educators and curriculum developers to understand the STEM education market. Brown Engineers will apply for a Phase II grant, which supports the development of the product, by the end of the year, Rainwater said. Rainwater completed his Master of Science degree and Ph.D. in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His Ph.D. research includes new materials development for emerging energy technologies with support from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy. Rainwater has worked at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock since 2016 and teaches Introduction to Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Materials classes. “It’s a great opportunity to teach engineering materials to students,” he said. “Dr. Andrew Wright, Dr. Ibrahim Nisanci, and Dr. Alex Biris have been great mentors in the Systems Engineering department, and I’m lucky to get to teach my favorite subject.”]]> /news-archive/2017/11/17/asbtdc-webcast-navy-grants/ Fri, 17 Nov 2017 14:34:22 +0000 /news/?p=68511 ... ASBTDC to host webcast to help innovative small businesses apply for U.S. Navy grants]]> The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, based at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, will host a free webcast to help entrepreneurs learn about Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding available through the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense. The will be shown from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, in the Reynolds Business Center Room 251 on the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. The webcast will review Navy Sea System Commands’ SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program topics, for which local science and technology-driven small businesses are invited to apply. In addition, participants can sign up to have a private meeting with a Navy representative in the afternoon. The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited and pre-registration is required. to register for the event. For more information, contact Shannon Roberts at 501-683-7700 or sxroberts@ualr.edu. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with SBA through a partnership with the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business and other institutions of higher education. The center assists companies at every stage of business development and growth. To learn more, visit asbtdc.org. All programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities and individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Pamela Reed at (501) 683-7700.]]> /news-archive/2017/08/31/arkansas-company-usda-grant/ Thu, 31 Aug 2017 13:15:18 +0000 /news/?p=67779 ... Arkansas company wins USDA grant with help from ASBTDC]]> 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. ]]> /news-archive/2017/08/31/asbtdc-receives-200k-help-arkansas-small-businesses/ Thu, 31 Aug 2017 13:08:53 +0000 /news/?p=67777 ... ASBTDC receives $200k to help Arkansas small businesses]]> The (ASBTDC), based at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, is one of only five small business technology development centers in the country to receive the grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. “Arkansas has many gifted, creative entrepreneurs and university researchers,” ASBTDC State Director Laura Fine said. “We look forward to helping these Arkansas innovators explore and develop the commercial potential of their research and ideas.” The funding from the Small Business Administration’s Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program is designed to stimulate economic development with outreach and technical assistance to science- and technology-driven small businesses. The program emphasizes fostering participation from women-owned and socially and economically disadvantaged firms, helping them to compete in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. “FAST partners fill an important role on the state level, providing training, financial and technical assistance for small, advanced technology businesses, by helping them navigate federally-funded innovation and R&D programs,” said Linda McMahon, administrator of the Small Business Administration. With the grant, the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will continue providing one-on-one mentoring to university researchers and small tech companies looking to apply for SBIR/STTR grants and contracts. The center also plans to hold 16 educational events designed to increase the number of SBIR/STTR applicants from Arkansas. Participants will learn about commercial strategy development, market research, and grant proposal writing.]]> /news-archive/2016/03/30/road-tour/ Wed, 30 Mar 2016 13:30:13 +0000 /news/?p=63876 ... Road tour event offers rare opportunity for entrepreneurs]]> For the first time in a decade, researchers, small business owners, and entrepreneurs have the chance to attend a road tour event right in Arkansas where they can learn how to access some of the billions of dollars in federal funding that’s annually available to small businesses. The will host the event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 19 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Donald W. Reynolds Center for Business and Economic Development. The 15-state SBIR Road Tour will promote the (SBIR/STTR) federal programs that provide $2.5 billion every year to small companies for the development of new technologies into commercial-ready products that address critical market needs. The tour last stopped in Arkansas in 2002. It’s geared toward people who have an idea for technology innovation or research that could be commercialized and are seeking funding through SBIR/STTR federal programs. Those encouraged to attend include university researchers, small business owners, and entrepreneurs who have a research idea or an innovation that could be developed for commercialization, said Janet Roderick, state director of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center. SBIR program managers from at least nine federal agencies will speak and meet one-on-one with entrepreneurs – a rare chance for entrepreneurs to engage program managers face-to-face. “It provides an opportunity for researchers and small business innovators to meet directly with the program managers from the federal agencies, so Arkansas folks can meet and ask questions about their research and innovations and see if there is a fit for them to apply and receive the SBIR/STTR grants that are given out,” Roderick said. Agencies scheduled to participate include the Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and military branches. Rebecca Norman, innovation consultant and SBIR specialist at the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, said meeting the program managers in person gives Arkansas entrepreneurs an edge in the highly competitive award process. “Program managers can recommend how to modify a research concept to better align with a specific SBIR/STTR topic area or recognize if another agency may offer a better fit for your technology,” Norman said. “When your research is relevant to more than one agency, the best way to find out which agency to target first is to meet with the agency reps in person at the SBIR Road Tour event.” Participants can also learn about state funding opportunities and resource providers during the afternoon session. Norman will speak, and a panel will feature three Arkansas companies who have received SBIR grants, including ����Vlog��ýLR spin-out Synanomet LLC. Representatives from state agencies will provide details about state-level funding available for innovative companies. The final panel will highlight work being done at university technology transfer programs – and ����Vlog��ýLR’s Tech Launch. Registration is required and available online. The cost is $50, but ����Vlog��ýLR faculty and staff members who register for the event can attend for free. For more information and to register, visit or contact the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at 501.683.7700. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is a university-based economic program that assists entrepreneurs. It has seven university campus locations throughout the state, including its main site at ����Vlog��ýLR. ]]>