Products we use every day (telephone, lightbulb, elevator, PC) were once just an idea until an entrepreneur turned them into reality. In fact, new technologies are small business specialties. They are also a great way to grow your business.

The SBDC's technology commercialization services can equip you with the skills you need to develop a corporate strategy and help bring new technologies to market.

Services

SBDC technology consultants assist technology firms with business management issues specific to their needs including:

• Alternative financing, including federal research grants
• Patents and trademarking
• Intellectual property
• Product commercialization and marketing
• Subcontracting with large corporations

The SBDCs also offer assistance to struggling US Department of Defense contractors affected by base closure and reduction, helping them to locate markets.

If you are ready to transform your idea into a commercially-viable product, consider tapping into the SBDC's Engineering Development Services, hosted by Bucknell University's College of Engineering.

Entrepreneurs who have an existing technology product that they are looking to commercialize can receive assistance at any of the SBDCs in the 18-center network.

The Pennsylvania SBDC is a member of the Innovation Partnership (IPart), a consortium of economic development and business assistance organizations located throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania whose collective goal is to help early-stage technology companies in Pennsylvania secure federal funding opportunities.

IPart services are available to SBDC clients who meet program guidelines and include:

• Pre-Proposal Technical Reviews to SBIR/STTR and other grant applicants whose proposal concepts are judged to have strong potential for competing successfully in a federal competition. This program offers a no-cost opportunity to receive valuable feedback on Phase 1 proposals from professional reviewers who are subject experts. All proposal concepts under review are fully protected by non-disclosure agreements to ensure confidentiality of proprietary information.
• MicroGrants (up to $2,000) and MicroVouchers (up to $3,000) to selected applicants to help offset the cost of proposal preparation.
• Travel and Training Assistance of up to $1,000 for companies who have received their pre-proposal review for use associated with the preparation of their federal proposal.

Financing

Consultants at your local SBDC can assist you with financing proposals, marketing, advertising and any other help you need to bring your product to market. For instance, every year, the government offers more than $2.5 billion in small business funding for technology and science innovations through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. In 2008, the SBDC helped clients obtain 28 such investments totaling nearly $18 million.

The SBDC can help you:

• Identify and select agencies and topics that best suit your innovation
• Gather information for your proposal
• Search technical and market literature
• Discuss commercialization considerations
• Review and critique your proposal
• Address contract management issues
• Develop project budgeting

In addition, the SBDCs offer educational programs throughout the year covering financing strategies and proposal preparation.

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