TECH DEVELOPMENT & COMMERCIALIZATION
The Pennsylvania SBDC helps small firms bring new products to market by addressing sophisticated business management issues. 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. We can assist you with:
- Product development planning
- Product and market feasibility studies
- Resources to ensure compliance and competitiveness
- Develop project budgeting
- Registration requirements
- Commercialization strategies
- Navigate market targeting and positioning
- Cost and pricing proposal preparation
- Overcoming design and manufacturing challenges
- Preliminary intellectual property guidance
- Finding funds to further technical concepts
- Obtaining SBIR/STTR and other R&D grants
Financing Consulting Services
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 SBIR and STTR programs.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program is a highly competitive three-phase award system which provides qualified small business concerns with opportunities to propose innovative ideas that meet the specific research and research and development needs of the Federal Government.
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program is a similar three-phase award system where a specific percentage of Federal research and development funding for award to small businesses in partnership with nonprofit research institutions to move ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace, to foster high-tech economic development and to address the technological needs of the Federal government.
Innovation Partnership
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.
Review SBIR.GOV Online Tutorials to learn more.
Centers of Excellence
PASBDC Centers of Excellence (CoE) are resource hubs that provide specialized services, tools, and knowledge across the Commonwealth.
Manufacturing Innovation – Bucknell University SBDC
The Manufacturing Innovation Center of Excellence (CoE) helps Pennsylvania manufacturers turn good ideas into real innovations that compete, generate revenue, and drive growth, by connecting those ideas to the tools and talent of one of the nation’s top undergraduate engineering colleges.
Hosted by Bucknell University’s College of Engineering, the CoE leverages faculty, staff, and students to support product and process innovation. Clients gain access to advanced design, simulation, and development capabilities, with many projects incorporating AI and automation to improve efficiency and performance.
The CoE guides clients using the Desirability / Viability / Feasibility Framework; ensuring new products are not only technically achievable, but also economically viable and laser-focused on quantifiable demonstrated customer demand.
Manufacturers engaging with this CoE may also access grant funding from the Manufacturing PA Innovation Program and investments through Ben Franklin Technology Partners, supporting deeper, longer-term collaborations. In addition, each year the CoE connects clients with faculty-led student design teams through class-based projects.
