Please Join U.S. Senator Jack Reed and The Rhode Island Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) for a discussion with SBIR program managers from The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and The National Science Foundation (NSF)
In an effort to accelerate innovation in Rhode Island and help local entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses compete for approximately $2.5 billion in available federal funding each year from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), U.S. Senator Jack Reed and the Rhode Island Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) are hosting a SBIR/STTR Forum & Workshop. The SBIR/STTR programs provide critical and significant sources of early stage R&D funding to companies developing cutting-edge technologies. These programs are highly competitive and the grant and contract preparation and submission process can be complicated for first time applicants.
Please join STAC and SBIR Program Managers for an advanced discussion on tips and strategies for working with federal agencies to develop winning proposals.
The program will include time for questions and answers and information on the Innovate RI Small Business Fund which provides grants to help defray the cost of applying for SBIR/STTR awards and matching grants to Phase I recipients.
Cost:
There is no charge for this workshop and seating is limited.
Schedule:
9:00 – 9:30 am
Registration
9:30 – 9:45 am
Welcome by U.S. Senator Jack Reed
9:45 – 11:00 am
Seminar
Location:
RI Commerce Corporation
315 Iron Horse Way, Suite 101
Providence, RI
Free parking is available. There is no cost for this workshop, but please be sure to register in advance,
as seating is limited.
About Our Speakers
Prakash Balan joined the Small Business Innovation Research Program at NSF in 2011 as a Program Director leading the Chemical and Environmental Technology funding focus. He has 20 years of broad experience spanning R&D, new technology development and commercialization in both large and small entrepreneurial company environments.
After a career with ARCO Chemical and Lyondell Chemical Company where he led innovation with several chemical technologies, he co-founded two successful companies, first an environmental engineering technology company and thereafter a biofuels company. These companies served to commercialize his patents related to industrial multiphase reactors applicable to chemical and biochemical production, as well as energy efficient patented oxygenation technologies for biological wastewater treatment.
Prakash holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University
Presentation by Prakash Balan, National Science Foundation
Edsel M. Brown, Jr. has served with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) since 1990. He is currently the Assistant Director, Office of Investment and Innovation. In this position he provides oversight over the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs.
He has served in several other positions during his tenure at SBA including: Assistant Administrator for Management & Technical Assistance, Office of Business Development; Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Small Disadvantaged Business; and Financial Analyst, Office of Small Business Investment Companies. Edsel’s experience also includes owning and operating a Liberty Tax Service franchise, serving as a Financial Consultant and Investment Representative to a handful of FINRA broker dealers, and operating a solo law firm focusing on sport and entertainment law.
A native of Plainfield, NJ, Edsel holds B.A. (Government) and M.A. (Public Administration) degrees from Ohio University. He also holds a J.D. (Law) degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.
Presentation by Edsel Brown, US Small Business Administration
Tracy Frost assumed the role of Deputy Administrator, Department of Defense (DOD) SBIR/STTR Programs within the DoD Office of Small Business Programs in 2013. In this role, she has implemented innovative initiatives to assist the small business community transition viable technologies to the military and commercial marketplace.
Before joining DoD OSBP, Ms. Frost managed the Office of Naval Research’s SBIR Program where she was instrumental in increasing the involvement of Acquisition Enabler S&T programs, as well as, the timeliness of awards. Prior to SBIR involvement, she managed $50M annually in S&T investments as an Program Manager for over 10 years in the areas of Unmanned Systems and Ship Logistics.
Tracy has a B.S. in Ocean Engineering from Florida Atlantic University and an M.S. in Engineering Management from George Washington University.
Presentation by Tracy Frost, US Department of Defense
Christine Smith, Director of Innovation Programs at Commerce RI will moderate the discussion and provide information on the Innovate RI Small Business Fund. At Commerce RI, Christine is responsible for launching and managing statewide initiatives to help innovators and entrepreneurs maximize the potential of their new technologies. In this role, she currently serves as Executive Director of the RI Science & Technology Advisory Council (STAC).