#### Maine FAST Program Success Stories

#### Applied Thermal Sciences Uses Workshop Knowledge to Build for the Future

Applied Thermal Sciences didn't set out to create one of the world's
fastest computers, it just happened to need one to run the complex
computer simulations that model and helps improve the components in
missile defense systems. So it built one. That, plus a host of other
technology ideas, prompted the company to attend the commercialization
workshops offered by the Maine Technology Institute's (MTI) FAST
program.

"We have a number of products that we're hoping to commercialize," says
Jack Smith, VP of Applied Thermal Sciences. The ideas have come from its
work conducting research and development for government systems. Its
core business is to perform high-end computational simulations of
hypersonic propulsion technologies used to build missile defense system
components for the US Army. Running the simulations requires horsepower,
says Smith: "We compare computer simulations of complex models. Codes
can run for months, and the faster your computer, the faster the
turnaround."

The Sanford, ME company built a supercomputer called Beowulf cluster
with off-the-shelf components that runs public-domain software, and it's
now the 336^th^ fastest system in the world. Housed at the University of
Maine's information technology center in Orono, it has become a resource
for the State as well as for Applied Thermal.

**Maine Composites** Gets Skills and Talent from MTI FAST

In 1999, Keith Burgess's technical skills were in demand by the largest
companies, and he was at top of his career, but he felt unfulfilled.
When he launched his own company, he got the creative, small-company
atmosphere he desired, and when he enrolled in Maine Technology
Institute's FAST program, he found the business skills and talent he
needed to set his company up for success.

With a degree in mechanical engineering from MIT, and experience working
for many large companies, Burgess achieved a high level of technical
competence within his field. "But I was frustrated working for other
companies," he says, and launched the Richmond, ME Maine Composites. The
company develops designs and manufacturing techniques from products that
are made from advanced composite materials, a technology that replaces
traditional materials like aluminum and steel with stronger, lighter,
more flexible materials such as carbon fibers.

# Raven Technologies Powers to Success with MTI FAST Program

Users of household electricity take power for granted -- plug in your
appliance, and it works. But when power needs to be portable, or "off
the grid," it requires a different set of technologies to create it and,
more importantly, deliver it in the speed and format that appliances
need. Brunswick, ME-based Raven Technologies LLC has created a new tool
that can deliver reliable portable power to emergency workers, military
applications, construction sites, and beyond. With help from the Maine
Technology Institute's FAST program, it is poised with the
commercialization skills it needs for success.

**Spill Free** Finds Commercial Success with MTI's FAST Program

Claude Morin knew that changing the oil in the trucks where he worked
was a messy, unpleasant job. When he burned his hands one day with hot
oil, he set out to create a better way to perform this task. Today, with
a patented product, a new development grant, and help from the Maine
Technology Institute's FAST program, his work is on the verge of
commercial success.

Car and boat owners all dread changing the oil on their vehicles, but
engine mechanic professionals face health hazards as well. In addition
to a heightened risk for burns, repeated exposure to motor oil can cause
some skin cancers. Those reasons, plus a desire to protect the
environment from spilled oil prompted Claude to create a solution.
"Claude is a welder and a steel fabricator by trade, and he's always
thinking of how to make things easier," says his wife, Priscilla. When
Claude modified a ball valve with a flange and connector to create a
closed system to pump the oil out of motors, Priscilla convinced him
that she was going to take the product to market. She founded the
Bangor, ME-based Spill Free Oil Drainage Products, LLC in 1996.

**Access Wellness Diagnostic** enrolls in Commercialization 101 with
MTI's FAST Program

Ariel Wilcox didn't set out to discover a new style of healthcare
diagnosis with Access Wellness Diagnostic Technology -- she just wanted
to free herself and her patients from chronic pain. Yet the technique
and tool she has discovered in the process has the potential to
revolutionize the diagnosis of soft-tissue injuries, cancers, and
beyond. With a prototype tool in hand, and another under development,
she has turned to Maine Technology Institute's FAST program to help her
share her discovery.

Wilcox is the director of Access Wellness, a Bangor, ME-based clinic
founded in 1997 devoted to treating patients with chronic pain. "Our
patients have had sports injuries, car accidents, a difficult birth, a
work-related injury -- something that has gone beyond their body's
threshold of tolerance and they have never recovered," says Wilcox. "The
source of pain doesn't show up on x-rays, and it doesn't show up on
MRIs, but it is there."

"The FAST program is Commercialization 101," says Wilcox. "The topics
are specific to the needs, challenges, and steps for anyone
commercializing a product or service, and there is no other way to get
this much knowledge in such a concentrated manner."

In the 10 weekly workshops, Wilcox has learned about marketing,
development and distribution, intellectual property, pricing,
accounting, funding, and more. In addition to the specific knowledge,
Wilcox finds the networking opportunities to be extremely valuable.
"During the week, I am plugging away trying to develop my product, but I
come to the workshops and get reinforcement and direction," she says.
"I'm working with others throughout this experience -- other companies
developing products, mentors, and instructors. It's a great way to
develop contacts."

#### Hydro-Photon Finds Connections with MTI FAST Program

Any traveler to a foreign country has heard the familiar warning: "Don't
drink the water!" Hydro-Photon, a Blue Hill, ME-company, hopes to change
that with its product that quickly and easily disinfects tainted water.
With advice and counsel from the Maine Technology Institute's FAST
program, the company is poised to ramp up its commercialization efforts.

"Montezuma's revenge, the Tijuana two-step, Delhi belly -- there's a
reason there are so many names for traveler's digestive tract problems,"
says Miles Maiden, founder of Hydro-Photon. "Water-borne illness is
extremely common. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 20 to 50
percent of travelers have problems after consuming water."

Today's drinking water choices for travelers are chemical treatment,
filtration, bottled water, and boiling, but Maiden points out that each
has drawbacks. Chemicals don't taste good, they're not effective on all
microbes, and over time they aren't good for you. Filtration doesn't
work well for viruses, and boiling isn't always convenient. And, he
points out that in many countries, bottled water isn't always safe. "In
much of the developing world, the water was bottled out in the alley,"
says Maiden.

The device is for sale in many major camping stores nationwide,
including REI, Eastern Mountain Sports, and Cabellas. Still, Maiden felt
the company could benefit from attending the series of Commercialization
workshops sponsored by MTI's FAST program. The Small Business
Administration funds the Federal and State Technology (FAST) program so
that states can help entrepreneurs go from developing an idea to
commercializing a product. The Gardiner, ME-based MTI used its grant to
create 10 workshops on subjects ranging from venture capital to
marketing, and also developed a TechTracker network of seasoned business
professionals who volunteer to help the emerging companies.

**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Oklahoma FAST Program Success Stories**

**Mentoring network**

The Oklahoma Center of the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST)
and the Oklahoma Technology Commercialization Center (OTCC) established
a mentoring network to assist Oklahoma's fledgling high-tech companies
to more effectively commercialize their technology and build successful
businesses. OCAST contracted with OTCC, and OCAST affiliate
organization, to manage, track and report on the effectiveness of this
network.

Access to the Mentoring Network is available to all companies that go
through the OTCC Stage 1 commercialization process. It includes
individuals experienced in SBIR who can offer specific advice. The
network also helps small companies make profitable connections with
large Oklahoma technology companies and universities. The Mentoring
Network also acts as a "shadow board" for occupants of two high-tech
incubators managed by OTCC -- an information and telecommunications
technology incubator in Tulsa, and a life sciences incubator in the
Health Research Park in Oklahoma City. As companies are recruited for
the incubators, special efforts are made to identify qualified present
or potential SBIR/STTR companies for location in the incubators.

One of the requirements of the formal OTCC client induction process is
to introduce those firms to the SBIR/STTR program. This is accomplished
by arranging meetings for these new clients with the OCAST SBIR program
officers. OTCC also utilizes the OCAST SBIR proposal reviewers, as
appropriate, to offer guidance and advice to these companies in their
proposal preparation process.

Some OCAST SBIR clients have not taken advantage of this mentoring
program simply because they do not understand the potential benefits of
such interaction. In an effort to help overcome this obstacle OCAST and
OTCC have initiated a series of meetings in which SBIR participating
companies have the opportunity to talk directly with SBIR mentors in a
structured format. The meetings are informal and occur over lunch for a
handful of SBIR companies selected because of their similar areas of
research. OCAST and OTCC provide a brief overview of the resources they
offer to SBIR companies and the mentors provide a short presentation of
their experience in the SBIR program, with particular emphasis on
lessons learned and what to do after receiving an SBIR award. The
remainder of the meeting is open for questions and answers and direct
interaction between the panel of mentors and the audience.

Companies involved in the SBIR mentoring program are also provided the
opportunity to participate in OTCC's Oklahoma Technology Enterprise
Program.

**Pilot University Technology Commercialization Voucher Program.**

This pilot program was created in order to encourage commercialization
of university-developed technology through use of OTCC's unique resource
and expertise, while allowing the universities to determine exactly how
to most effectively use those resources. The first element of this
program was a series of four on-campus, interactive briefings about OTCC
for administration and faculty at each of Oklahoma's four major research
institutions. The briefings were designed to promote understanding of
the distinct roles and services of both OTCC and the university
technology development offices, offer opportunity for questions and
answers, and encourage a productive working relationship while
respecting the universities' individual protocols regarding technology
development. The second component of this program was to offer ten
vouchers worth a total of \$5,000 to each of these four institutions to
be redeemed for OTCC technology commercialization services for projects
that the university technology development offices and OTCC agreed were
meritorious, including technologies developed at the university and
licensed to an Oklahoma company.

Each participating university had to comply with strict set of program
requirements listed below:

1.  File letters of intent to participate in the program

2.  Designate of an individual to serve as the primary point of contact
    for OTCC for the duration of this pilot program

3.  With OTCC's help, identify technologies for the program

4.  Provide a brief description of anticipated outcomes for each
    technology

5.  Provide a joint progress report with OTCC

6.  Provide a joint final report with OTCC and answer a customer
    feedback questionnaire at the conclusion of this program.

Impacts of this activity as of January 31, 2003:

***The Success of the University Commercialization Voucher Pilot Project
can be Measured in Terms of:***

-   a high number of original technologies submitted for evaluation,

-   the diverse disciplines from which the technologies emerged,

-   strengthening of the technology transfer infrastructure within
    several universities,

-   validation of emerging network processes among universities and
    other private institutions,

-   enthusiasm by individual research faculty members for seeking
    commercialization services, and

-   the backlog of requests for commercialization services for
    consideration under the next FAST Grant Project.

The project resulted in a total of **32 distinct, original
technologies** listed for commercialization services with the Oklahoma
Technology Commercialization Center (OTCC) by the four major research
universities in Oklahoma \[University of Oklahoma -- Norman (OU),
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center -- Oklahoma City (OUHSC),
Oklahoma State University -- Stillwater (OSU), and University of Tulsa
-- Tulsa (TU)\]. Follow-on services were performed on behalf of **nine
technologies** in need of greater development assistance.

Representatives of the four major research universities collaborated
with representatives of OTCC to pursue commercialization services for
technologies ranging from numerous **medical** and **bioscience** to
**computer software/hardware** and cutting-edge **nanotechnologies** to
several eclectic entries.

Each technology submitted was jointly considered by the respective
university representative and OTCC representative and approved for
inclusion under the Program. In general, the process entailed production
of an overview report ("Quick View") on the technology and plans to
assess technology, market, competition and business model aspects
following the [OTCC Commercialization Model]{.underline}. A prospective
path toward either licensing or venture opportunity was determined for
each technology and appropriate support services were undertaken,
including:

-   business plan writing or review,

-   networking with service providers for critical gaps in development
    such as marketing surveys,

-   intellectual property and business organization

-   legal, accounting, and managerial services,

-   educational sessions,

-   counseling,

-   valuation, and

-   a variety of other services.

At appropriate junctures, promising technologies were presented by OTCC
staff to venture capital principals for their reaction and input. Where
appropriate, researchers and university representatives were provided
instructions and applications for funding competitions such as the
Oklahoma Technology Business Finance Program (TBFP).

The technology transfer infrastructure appears to have been strengthened
at each university as a result of the interactions engendered by the
FAST grant. At OSU, for example, earlier stage technologies may now be
considered for OTCC Phase I client services where input into the
patenting process may be beneficial. At TU, the technology transfer
process has been highlighted resulting in moves to improve the
university's process for securing intellectual property and
opportunities to collect relevant market information for commercial
development.

The grant spurred emerging university technology transfer networking
processes. For example, OU's representative expressed a need and desire
for greater regularity of informal meetings among the technology
transfer professionals at Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
(OMRF[)]{.underline} and the Noble Foundation, both private,
not-for-profit research entities, and OU to discuss a broad range of
intellectual property and best-practices of technology transfer within
each institution. We anticipate that this concept may expand to new,
comprehensive communication channels within Oklahoma among technology
generators both public and private.

Individual faculty members in OSU's Osteopathic College of Medicine in
Tulsa (Dr. Craig Stevens and Dr. Richard Bost), as well as individual
researchers at OSU- Stillwater (Dr. Neil Purdie), TU (Dr. Kerry
Sublette) and OUHSC (Dr. Brad Kropp) to name a few, have expressed
strong interest in the FAST process and may become advocates of the
technology commercialization function in their respective institutions.

Finally, as the grant period closed, the number of technologies
backlogged for listing on the next FAST grant was growing. OUHSC has
four technologies currently being prepared for submission and follow-on
vouchers are desired for several technologies at the other universities.

The enthusiasm for this pilot program by the university administration
and researchers continues to grow. This is evident in comments taken
directly from feedback questionnaires provided by the universities
involved in the commercialization voucher program.

"We have been using external sources prior to the program. This project
allows us to be much more efficient in assessing our technologies for
commercialization." "This program has increased the effectiveness of
this \[commercialization\] part of our program by over 50%." -- Dan
Davis, Executive Director, Office of Technology Development, University
of Oklahoma.

## "The process has been constructive since we learned of OTCC's QuickView function. The working relationship between OSU and OTCC has also been strengthened." -- Dr Larry Watters, Director of Technology Management, Office of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, Oklahoma State University.

"This program has been very beneficial to our technology development
efforts particularly the valid and defendable valuation of our
technologies. This valuation helps us determine which technologies
warrant expenditure of university resources." - Dr. Allen Soltow,
Executive Director of Research, Sponsored Programs and Governmental
Relations, University of Tulsa.

**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Mississippi FAST Program Success Stories**

Background:

The University of Southern Mississippi, the Mississippi Research
Consortium and their partner, the Mississippi Technology Alliance,
established in October of 2001 the Mississippi Federal & State
Technology Partnership Program (MS-FAST). Supported in part by a grant
from the U.S. Small Business Administration, MS-FAST's aim is to provide
encouragement and assistance to Mississippi's small high-tech businesses
in participating in the federally funded Small Business Innovation
Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs
and the commercialization of technologies developed by businesses as a
result of these programs. The goal of MS-FAST is to strengthen the
technological competitiveness of small businesses in the State. A
summary of the economic impact to date resulting from part of the first
year's efforts by MS-FAST is set forth below. These efforts were made
possible in part by \$75,000 from the Mississippi Technology Alliance in
support of the MS-FAST.

Phase I Proposal Support:

The MS-FAST provides 3 basic levels of assistance and support to
Mississippi companies with their Phase I proposals:

1.  The MS-FAST through its newsletter, email alert service and its
    website informs Mississippi companies about the federal SBIR and
    STTR program opportunities and provides information on how to
    participate more competitively in these programs.

2.  The MS-FAST through workshops, conferences and through one-on-one
    contact with companies provides direct assistance in subtopic
    identification, the reviewing and development of Phase I proposals,
    identification and obtaining of university faculty experts and
    laboratory resources in support of the Phase I proposal development
    and execution, and the identification of university intellectual
    property suitable for further application development through and
    SBIR/STTR award under licensing to a Mississippi company.

3.  The MS-FAST through its "Phase 0" program funded by the Technology
    Alliance awards \$3,000 grants to companies in direct support of the
    associated cost with Phase I proposal development. Companies not
    selected to receive a Phase 0 grant are still eligible to receive
    the assistance describe in (2) above.

MS-FAST Phase 0 program results of Year 1 to date:

MS-FAST received in response to 3 solicitations, 32 Phase 0 proposals
from 21 Mississippi companies.

MS-FAST has made 15 Phase 0 Awards (\$3,000 each) to 12 of these
companies.

Of the 15 Phase 0 Awards made:

-   2 have received Phase I awards valued at \$70,000 each for a total
    of \$140,000

-   5 to date have not received awards

-   8 are still pending review by the federal agency to which submitted.

Note: The national average is for 1 out of every 10 Phase I proposals to
receive a Phase I award. To date, MS-FAST Phase 0 awardees have received
2 out of 7.

Out of the other 17 Phase 0 proposals submitted to MS-FAST, excluding
the 15 selected for Phase 0 awards, 2 others have received Phase I
awards valued at \$70,000 each for a total of \$140,000.

Economic impact to date of the Technology Alliance's funding support:

Technology Alliance's **\$75,000** to date **has leveraged \$405,000**
in federal funds to the state. The estimated economic **impact of this
is \$1.2 million\***.

SBA FAST Grant (federal match): \$ 125,000

Ph I federal funds resulting from Ph 0 grants: \$ 140,000

Ph I federal funds resulting from other Ph 0 submissions: [\$
140,000]{.underline}

Total federal funds attracted (to date) to the state: \$ 405,000

Technology Alliance (state) funding: [\$ 75,000]{.underline}

Total direct funds to program and companies to date: [\$
480,000]{.underline}

Total program impact to date^1^: \$1,200,000

(^1^Based on standard industry multiplier effect of 2.5)

\*It should be noted that the impact numbers presented represent in part
only the impact from Phase I awards to companies. Companies are
eligible, based on their Phase I results, for Phase II awards which
average \$650,000 each. Phase II awards are typically announced about a
year after the Phase I award is made following the completion of the
Phase I effort. It is at this time estimated that of the 4 Phase I
awards reported to date, a minimum of 2 will proceed into Phase II
resulting in another estimated \$1.3 million in direct federal funding
with a total economic impact of another \$3.25 million in addition to
the \$1.2 million indicated above in this report.

**Minnesota FAST Program Success Stories**

Minnesota Project Innovation, Inc. (MPI) is a 20-year old organization
that has been assisting Minnesota companies in the SBIR and STTR
programs. In 2001, it became a Federal and State Technology Partnership
(FAST) recipient.

**Spinnaker Semiconductor**

7550 Market Place Drive

Eden Prairie, MN 55344

\(952\) 943-2814

[http://www.spinnakersemi.com](http://www.spinnakersemi.com/)

Spinnaker Semiconductor is a semiconductor process technology and
product company with a clear and compelling competitive advantage fueled
by proprietary \"leap-frog" CMOS transistor technology innovation. To
put the commercial importance of CMOS transistor technology innovation
in perspective, both Intel and AMD refer to the transistor as the
\"engine that drives \[microprocessor\] performance.\"

The potential of Spinnaker's SB-CMOS technology, as well as the
competence and vision of it's founder, has been acknowledged by industry
leaders including Yoshio Nishi, Sr. Vice President & Director of Silicon
Process Development, Texas Instruments, and Dr. Craig Keast, MIT Lincoln
Labs.

Spinnaker's initial advantage, and subsequent scalability places its
transistor roadmap 3-4 years ahead of the corresponding Intel roadmap.

**PATENTS:** US Patent 6,495,882 and US Patent 6,303,479

SBIR FUNDING:

Project: Radiation Tolerant Microelectronics and Photonics Technology
Development

Phase I -- Defense Threat Reduction Agency - \$100,000

Phase II -- Missile Defense Agency - \$750,000 est.

**MPI ASSISTANCE:**

The company was first introduced to MPI and the SBIR program in 1998.
Since that time, the company has won two Phase I awards and one Phase II
award totaling nearly \$1.0 million, and has raised \$3.0 million from
investors.

MPI has provided help to this company since its inception. MPI assisted
the client with its first SBIR Phase I award, and help to direct the
company to target SBIR Phase II funding from the Missile Defense Agency.
MPI reviewed the SBIR Phase II project and provided guidance on how to
successfully navigate the rules and regulations associated with
government contracting.

Blue Sky Designs

540 Fairview Ave. North

Suite 207

St. Paul, MN 55104

\(651\) 645-9121

[http://www.blueskydesigns.us](http://www.blueskydesigns.us/)

**PATENTS:** Pending

SBIR FUNDING:

Project: In-Tent-Ionally Accessible Tent And Vestibule For People With
And Without Disabilities

Phase I -- United States Department of Agriculture - \$70,000

Phase II -- United States Department of Agriculture - \$296,000

Outdoor recreation is a driver of much of the economic activity in rural
communities. In a time when rural areas are facing struggling economies,
this is a priority issue. Americans are camping in record number, yet
there remains a potentially large untapped market. Since the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted, public facilities and programs
at campgrounds have been made more accessible. Yet, the most important
facility a camper needs access to, the tent; remains quite inaccessible.
With appropriate equipment available, participation in camping can
increase, bringing benefits to individuals with disabilities, their
families, and rural communities. The technological innovation transforms
a tent into a universally accessible home away from home. People with
wheelchairs, walkers, or arthritis will not have to struggle or wait for
assistance to get in out of the rain. They will have a dry place to
store their wheelchair. The vestibule will allow easy, zipper-less
access via an accessible, hands-free door. This innovative technology
offers features and benefits for others: parents with strollers,
children with bicycles, or people wanting a place to relax out of the
sun or rain will benefit from the universal vestibule. It will
significantly benefit rural America and Americans with disabilities who
wish to camp.

**MPI Assistance:**

The company was first introduced to MPI and the SBIR program 2000. Since
that time, the company has won two awards totaling nearly \$375,000.

MPI has provided help to this company since its inception. MPI directed
the company to attend a national conference, assisted the company with
its Phase I and II proposals, provided commercialization assistance
through a market analysis, etc. MPI continues to help the company with
its other SBIR projects.

**Missouri FAST Program Success Stories**

We have developed a strong client base of over 60 firms seeking
information and/or assistance and, so far, the St. Louis region has
submitted over 30 SBIR/STTR, NIST/ATP and DoD/BAA grant applications for
review. In addition, we recently conducted an SBIR/STTR Grant Writing
Workshop that attracted 35 local small business participants. Due to the
nature of the SBIR/STTR process, it is my opinion that it will take a
year or two before we begin to see significant results of our efforts,
but I am confident that we are developing a support base in St. Louis
that will expand the effectiveness of the FAST assistance program
substantially in the near future.

Several companies in St. Louis have had success in obtaining SBIR
funding prior to the initiation of the FAST program. Apath Technologies
has received 9 SBIR grants over the past few years. Reliable
Biopharmaceutical has received 8 grants, but only recently \"signed\" up
with our FAST assistance program. Other companies in the St. Louis area
that have benefited from the SBIR/STTR program include: VirRx (a new
FAST client), Production Products, MetaStable, Tripos, and Divergence
Inc.

The SBIR/STTR grant program, along with the FAST assistance program, is
critical at this point in time. Total venture capital investments have
decrease nearly 80% since 2000 and there is little indication that this
trend will reverse anytime soon. This impacts seed/startup and early
stage companies the most since VC investments in these development
stages have been declining since 1995. The success rate for obtaining
angel investment is only about 12% based on research published by the
University of New Hampshire\'s Center for Venture Research. This leaves
the SBIR/STTR program (as well as other federal grant programs) as the
critical component to technology development in the U.S. for the
foreseeable future.

**Louisiana FAST Program Success Stories**

[Introduction:]{.underline}

The FAST Program has been [critical]{.underline} to Louisiana's SBIR
outreach initiatives. Without it, there simply [would be no
program]{.underline} to speak of. Louisiana has risen in national SBIR
ranking from 47^th^ in the US to 36^th^ since the introduction of the
Rural Outreach and FAST award programs. With the continuation of FAST,
all indicators point to continued success.

-   Hosted an extremely successful SWIFT Tour in Louisiana for SBIR
    outreach

-   As a result, ten local companies that attended this event have
    submitted 18 proposals for funding under the SBIR/STTR Program.

-   Leveraged SBA funds with additional monies from the Board of Regents
    and Louisiana Economic Development Corporation.

-   Conducted SBIR workshops in New Orleans, UNO and Grambling
    University.

-   Established a new partnership with Southern University in Baton
    Rouge to assist in bringing the SBIR program to women and minority
    groups.

-   Increased proposal submissions, which have exceeded the target of 40
    for this year.

-   Brought 8 companies to a potential source of Phase Three funding for
    commercialization.

-   Operated a statewide network of five SBIR Outreach Centers.

-   Formed eight new partnerships with Louisiana universities for
    research/collaboration, including SBIR/STTR.

-   Continue the Phase Zero program to include funds for Phase Two
    proposal preparation.

-   Increased dollar amount of SBIR awards to Louisiana companies by 25%
    over previous year.

-   Louisiana Business and Technology Center (LBTC) received the
    Tibbetts Award from SBA, a national program that recognizes those
    institutions/individuals that meet high standards of achievement for
    the SBIR program.

## The Louisiana SBIR Phase Zero Program

This program is working for Louisiana in large measure because of the
SBA FAST awards. It allows the LBTC to grant up to \$3,000 to companies
needing help in writing SBIR Phase One grant applications and up to
\$5,000 for Phase Two proposals.

The LBTC received 44 applications from Louisiana companies for the Phase
0 grant funding designed to increase and encourage successful SBIR
applications submitted by Louisiana companies.

Since 1999, Louisiana companies have been awarded 78 Phase 0 grants by
the LBTC resulting in 55 Phase I and II grants won totaling \$10,684,485
in awards brought into the State of Louisiana. This is a 43 to 1 return
on investment. The return is actually much higher when the multiplier is
factored into the equation and actual federal procurement contracts are
in place.

***Examples of client companies assisted through the FAST Program***

\(1\) Mezzo Systems, provider of design analysis and prototyping
services for micro fluidic, optic, magneto and electronic devices and an
incubator tenant of the LBTC at LSU has recently received several
contracts, honors and awards. Mezzo was awarded another SBIR grant worth
\$750,000 from the Department of Defense Missile Defense Agency. With
the support of U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, Mezzo has won five SBIR
awards totaling \$1.3 million. LBTC hosted Senator Landrieu at LSU to
recognize Mezzo for their outstanding performance and reaffirm her
support of the SBIR program for Louisiana and the nation.

\(2\) LBTC client, **Marine Turbine Technologies** of Franklin,
Louisiana. Marine Turbine, represented by Ted McIntyre and Monte Warren,
are working with the LBTC on several Small Business Innovative Research
Grants with the Department of Defense. They are converting helicopter
turbine engines for use in boats, trucks and motorcycles. They brought
one of the Turbine Engine Motorcycles to the Governor's Mansion and the
Marriott for the Conference. In addition, Marine Turbine Technologies
has developed a fire-fighting pump that can shoot 13,000 gallons of
water per minute a distance of 400 feet. Ports, chemical plants and
other firefighting units can use this product. They will be doing a
demonstration at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge next month.

**(3) Planning Systems Inc. (PSI) -** Another LBTC client company with a
stellar SBIR award history that has received Phase 0 award funding. They
have won numerous Phase I and Phase II awards from DoD for Ground
Penetrating Radar, Land Mine Detection Systems, Underwater Data Transfer
and Polarization Modeling. As a result, they received their first Phase
III non-competitive contract of \$500K from the Army and in 2001, they
were awarded \$1.3M on a non-compete Phase III commercialization, also
from the Army.

**(4) Kraemer Sports/Langley** -- Kraemer Sports, Shreveport, LA
continues to

work with NASA/Langley in development of their insulated glove
technology for use in special operations warfare. Their SBIR is through
the Department of Defense, Special Operations Command (SOCOM). The
Louisiana Technology Transfer Office (LTTO) provided Kraemer with an
SBIR Phase 0 award.

**(5) CAP Technologies,** an LBTC incubator tenant -- has finalized
plans to test samples, working with Dr. Calle, Director, KSC Corrosion
Lab regarding steel coatings with an anti-corrosion metal that the
company is working with the U.S. Navy (SBIR/MANTECH) on. The company is
waiting on their third party reviewers to test samples that CAP will
produce for the Navy. CAP Technologies is a Phase 0 recipient.

**Women/Minority/Disadvantaged Outreach**

FAST funding has enabled LBTC to actively work its women/minority
outreach initiative directly through an agreement with Southern
University in Baton Rouge (SUBR). Southern University was chosen because
it is the flagship HBCU in Louisiana and one of the largest HBCUs in the
USA. In addition, SUBR has assisted SBIR applicants in the past, giving
them some experience in the challenges of building an SBIR program.
Objectives are:

\(1\) Identify Southern University researchers to partner with minority
companies to write proposals.

\(2\) Evaluate the potential applicant's capability to compete for
SBIR/STTR on the basis of if awarded, can they deliver the
product/service.

\(3\) Use combined expertise of SUBR and LBTC to assist in writing the
proposal; conduct a review of the finished proposal; assist in re-write
if needed.

\(4\) Assist in locating women and minority-owned mentors to act as
advisors during the SBIR process.

\(5\) Co-sponsor workshops targeted to potential women/minority
applicants in Shreveport, Monroe and New Orleans, Louisiana.

\(6\) Utilize combined experience of SUBR and LBTC to build a stronger,
long-term SBIR program infrastructure for women, minorities and
socially/economically disadvantaged persons in Louisiana.

**University/Research Institution Partnerships**

FAST Program funding has enabled the LTTO to increase its outreach
initiatives with universities for SBIR/STTR and to assist small and
start-up firms license and commercialize technology. The LTTO strives to
encourage university faculty to be more entrepreneurial and to start
businesses commercializing their areas of expertise and applied
research. Approximately 53 of the last 70 SBIR proposals from Louisiana
companies through LBTC have a Louisiana university as a research and
development partner.

**Outreach Centers**

FAST Program funding has enabled the LBTC to establish five (5) SBIR
Outreach Centers across Louisiana which have resulted in a more
coordinated outreach activity for the SBIR program. The initiative
partnered with stakeholders to educate them on the merits of the SBIR
program and to market the program aggressively, particularly in those
areas that have shown to be low participatory. The five center sites
established are: Manufacturing Partnership of Louisiana (MEPoL)
(Lafayette); Metro Regional Business Incubator (Shreveport); LSU SBDC
(Baton Rouge); UNO Research Foundation (New Orleans), and the SBDC in
Monroe, Louisiana.

**Pennsylvania FAST Program Success Stories**

The various economic development agencies in Pennsylvania have a long
history of assisting start up companies; however they were never able to
work together effectively until the FAST program created a need. The
FAST program brought together for the first time Ben Franklin Technology
Partners, Catalyst Connection, Industrial Research Office Pennsylvania
State University, Innovation Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Biotechnology
Association, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic
Development, Bio Advance, Live Sciences Greenhouse and the Small
Business Development Centers.\
\
The executive committee was formed to coordinate the services of these
agencies and for the first time they are working together to the benefit
of small businesses throughout the state.  Funds from the FAST program
are awarded and funding decisions are make by representatives of the
agencies. In fact the total financial contributions from the members is
approximately \$1M dollars while the award from FAST was \$100,000. 
This leverage of funds and effort was made possible by the FAST program\
\
Clyde Engert, Executive Director PA FAST project.

**Arkansas FAST Program Success Stories**

A significant success in Arkansas during the FAST project\'s first six
months is the five Phase 0 awards made to Arkansas entrepreneurs by one
of the Arkansas FAST Consortium partners.  The Arkansas Science and
Technology Authority provided \$18,750 in cash grants (\$3,750 each) to
help these firms obtain professional grant writing assistance to
strengthen the content of their SBIR proposals.\
\
Arkansas hosted a successful stop on the SWIFT III Tour in December
2002.  Seventy-five participants had the opportunity to hear from the
largest single group of federal program managers ever to visit
Arkansas.  This was the largest turnout of entrepreneurs that Arkansas
has had for an event to educate and encourage Arkansas\' small
businesses to get involved in the SBIR/STTR programs.

**New Jersey FAST Program Success Stories**

# InMat, LLC

InMat develops, manufactures, markets, and sells proprietary
nanocomposite coatings targeted at the sporting goods, automotive and
personal protection markets. The company's first commercial product Air
D-Fense 2000 is used in Wilson Sporting Goods' Double Core tennis balls,
the official ball of the Davis Cup tournament.

InMat has been a client of the NJSBDC Technology Commercialization
Center for three years receiving guidance and help in building and
financing their business. Prior to the NJSBDC's SBIR Outreach, Proposal
Assistance, and Technology Commercialization program, InMat had
previously submitted an SBIR proposal to the Army for the application of
its coating technology to gloves used in handling hazardous chemicals.
That proposal was rejected. The company discovered a similar topic in
the 2002 DOD-1 solicitation. Entrepreneur Harris Goldberg attended New
Jersey's two December 2001 SBIR conferences addressing SBIR Phase I
proposal development and cost proposals and with the information he
learned he tried again.

The DTC arranged for InMat's draft proposal to be critiqued by the
Greenwood Consulting Group, which provides ongoing technical support to
our SBIR consultants network. He was also assigned one of the Center's
New Jersey consultants to help him incorporate the Greenwood comments
into his proposal and help him make additional changes to strengthen it.
Mr. Goldberg was also successful in lining up a major glove manufacturer
as a strategic partner. At the end of March, InMat was invited by the
Army to negotiate a \$70,000 contract for their project and was NJSBDC's
first award winner.

The Phase I research program involved the application of InMat's coating
technology to develop better rubber gloves providing improved protection
against chemical warfare agents. The project went well and InMat was
invited by the Army to submit a Phase II proposal. In addition to
engaging a New Jersey consultant to assist with the Phase II proposal,
the DTC also engaged the consultant to assist InMat with their business
plan and the commercialization plan that is now required for all Phase
II proposals. In December, InMat was invited by the Army to negotiate a
Phase II contract.

In addition to providing much needed cash flow, the value of SBIR to
InMat is that it is enabling the company to develop a second near term
commercial product while it pursues its long term goal of penetrating
the commercial tire market. A second near term commercial market and
product were seen as important to the company's efforts to raise venture
financing and the lack of it had hindered their financing efforts over
the previous two years. InMat closed on a \$1.5 million venture round on
April 14^th^.

**Iowa FAST Program Success Stories**

In 1996 ISU's Center for Advanced Technology Development (CATD) began a
targeted plan to effect Iowa's participation and success in the
SBIR/STTR federal research funding program and those efforts were
significantly enhanced with funding from the Rural Outreach Program.
CATD's visible success and strong leadership led SBA to select CATD to
guide the new, statewide Iowa FAST Partnership (IFP). This partnership
seeks to stimulate the growth of technology-based businesses that emerge
from research and development activities in Iowa and includes the Iowa
Department of Economic Development, University of Iowa's Office of
Corporate Partnerships, Iowa Small Business Development Center, and
ISU's Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. Initial efforts include
building a mentoring community of SBIR/STTR winners in Iowa who are
ready to provide one-on-one coaching to new SBIR/STTR applicants and
developing a process for fast tracking SBIR/STTR proposals.

SBIR/STTR success is an important indicator of a state's competitiveness
in tech-based economies and efforts supported by both FAST and ROP have
resulted in significant increases in awards to Iowa companies. The
contrast is stark---in 1994 four awards totaling \$245,000 were made
whereas from FY99-FY01, 33 awards valued at \$7.5 Million dollars were
made to Iowa companies. In FY02, Iowa businesses received 9 Phase I
awards and 4 Phase II awards valued at \$4.2Million dollars. Already in
FY03, IFP is aware of 15 award selections exceeding \$4.5 Million
dollars for the State of Iowa.

![](media/image1.wmf){width="3.90625in" height="2.78125in"}

Funding provided by the Small Business Administration through the
Federal and State Technology Partnerships is directly responsible for
fostering increased participation and success in the SBIR/STTR programs
by small business in Iowa.

Iowa FAST efforts include matching company interests to federal agency
solicitation topics---about 200 matches each year. Companies report that
this is one of the most important FAST services. For example BioForce
Nanoscience, Inc.---a university spin-off company---learned of NIH
solicitations from CATD and subsequently prepared three successful
proposals with funding of \$250,000 and two at \$500,000 each. One
effort is addressing the critical national concern of biological
threats.

Another important FAST service is the mentoring network that brings the
expertise of experienced SBIR/STTR awardees to assist Iowa entrepreneurs
in moving through the complex process of responding to federal RFPs.
This includes assistance with planning proposals, developing strategies
for technology development and commercialization, and reviewing and
critiquing proposals. NewLink Genetics a new biopharmaceutical company
working to develop cancer-treatment drugs had several planning sessions
with FAST mentors that resulted in venture investments and now the firm
is going after research and development investment through the
SBIR/STTR. The company has 30 employees at the university research park
and expects to grow to 300 employees in the next five years.

The other important service through the FAST program, is biannual
workshops where Iowa businesses learn about SBIR/STTR opportunities and
how to develop competitive proposals. Attendance averages about 60
participants and many are among the successful awardees in the state
each year. Attendees include new business start-ups, entrepreneurs,
mentors, previous award winners, and state economic developers. These
people get cutting edge information on funding opportunities from
federal agency representatives and other expert speakers. One example is
Molecular Express a company that has attended several workshops and have
benefited from proposal review and critique. Molecular Express has
received three SBIR awards and they have three proposals in the
pipeline, including a DOE, phase II proposal. As a result of
consultations and attendance at a workshop, Molecular Express has worked
with CATD to submit a proposal to NIH. They won an NIH STTR proposal for
\$106,257. In October 2001, they attended the Ames SBIR workshops and
have worked with CATD to submit three proposals to the NIH and DOE.

The bottom line in Iowa is that FAST funding provides critical
infrastructure that connects Iowa's technology-based businesses to the
research needs of federal agencies.

**Ohio FAST Program Success Story**

Ohio\'s FAST Project is all about networking the State\'s resources to
provide cohesive assistance for companies participating in the SBIR
program.

 

Dr. Cathie King, a researcher with Case Western Reserve University in
Cleveland, learned the details of the SBIR program during a
FAST-sponsored workshop at the Lewis Incubator for Technology (LIFT), an
Edison incubator, also in Cleveland.  From this initial overview, she
was able to participate in the \"On Track for SBIR/STTR Success\"
proposal writing training course held at the BioEnterprise Incubator,
also in Cleveland.  Instructors for this six-week, hands-on training
course were successful SBIR company officials, part of Ohio\'s FAST
Mentoring Network. Dr. King\'s SBIR application to the National
Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) was successfully funded for \$200,000
in Phase I.  The FAST Team continues to work with Dr. King, providing
business planning, counseling and assistance through the Small Business
Development Center network and the Ohio Department
of Development\'s Ohio SBIR Outreach Office.  It is result of the
support provided by Ohio\'s FAST Team that this university researcher
was able to start her own company and is well on her way to not
only solving a significant health issue (AIDS prevention and treatment
information among the senior Hispanic population), but commercial
success as well.  Dr. King describes herself as \"one of our success
stories.\"

 

**West Virginia FAST Program Success Stories**

# Extreme Technology Saves First Responder Lives: Testing Lifeline Technology 

**Trial by Fire**

Usually "trial by fire" is just an expression of speech, but in this
case it's the real thing. Extreme Endeavors, a company that makes
technology for extreme conditions will send employees/firefighters into
a burning building for the final test of its Electronic Lifeline. The
Electronic Lifeline is a sensor technology developed by Extreme
Endeavors to monitor the vital signs of firefighters in a building and
transmit it to a main base so that incident commanders and safety
officers can alert firefighters if they are in danger. This is part of a
revolutionary 21st Century Firesuit being developed by Extreme Endeavors
with NIH/NIOSH, Army Research Labs, Natick Soldier Center and the
Department of Justice that will integrate the electronic lifeline,
infrared, speech communication, and breathing apparatus into one
lightweight system for first responders. The next stage in the
advancement of this technology is to develop a system for locating fire
fighters within the structures.

Mike Masterman, President of Extreme Endeavors, is a former fire chief
and one of the few world experts on engineering for extreme conditions.
Most of his employees are also trained firefighters. Masterman feels
that it takes a firefighter to understand their needs. Firefighting
isn't like the movie "Backdraft" and that misperception that can cost
lives.

**Heart Attacks Number 1 Cause of Death for Firefighters on the Job**

Extreme Endeavors conducted several studies with the Office of Law
Enforcement Technology Commercialization, one of which determined that
the number one cause of deaths of firefighters on duty is heart attacks,
or over exertion. The Electronic Life Line will prevent deaths caused by
overexertion and entrapment, which make up for 60 to 70% of all
firefighter deaths on an annual basis.

**NIH and SBIR (National Institutes of Health/Small Business Innovative
Research)**

Extreme Endeavors received a Small Business Research Award (SBIR) from
the National Institutes of Health, one of only three awards ever given
to small businesses in West Virginia.

**Time and Location**: Thursday May 29^th^, 2003 starting at 9am at the
West Virginia University Fire Service Extension in Morgantown, West
Virginia about 1 hour outside of Pittsburgh.

**What Will Happen:** Extreme Endeavors will conduct testing and
evaluation of a sensor system developed for the first responder and fire
industry. This testing will require fire fighters from Extreme Endeavors
and the Clarksburg Fire Department to enter a burning building wearing
specialized sensor equipment developed by Extreme Endeavors for the high
heat, sweat, durability and endurance required by the fire industry.
While inside the burning structure, the vital signs and other
physiological and environmental information will be displayed outside.
This testing is being completed with the assistance of the West Virginia
University Fire Service Extension.

**New York** **FAST Program Success Stories**

NYSTAR is the recipient of the FAST contract

(ITAC is the NYSTAR Funded Local Regional Technology Development Center
serving as the SBIR Specialist Host Center for the New York City,
Mid-Hudson and Long Island regions of New York under this Contract).

**Company contact:**

Franklin Madison, Jr., New York FAST Regional Specialist

ITAC (Industrial and Technology Assistance Corporation of NY)

253 Broadway, Rm 302

NY, NY 10007

212-442-2990

FMadison@itac.org

**Type of FAST activity: FAST Program Promotion**

Since ITAC began delivering services under the New York FAST program,
they have been using the built-in technology "pipeline" (organizations
that are constantly having technology related events; seminars; mixers;
etc.) to increase awareness of the SBIR/STTR program as a whole. With
the economy constricting since 2001, it has become more apparent than
ever, that SBIR/STTR serve a vital role in helping to fund early stage
product development with the intent of commercialization.

ITAC is currently having success in using its media relationships to
publicize SBIR/STTR throughout the regional marketplace. ITAC has also
discovered that technology based organizations with strong minority
participation are particularly receptive in advising their members about
the benefits of the SBIR/STTR Programs. These same organizations have
also been very willing to create opportunities for ITAC to discuss the
SBIR/STTR programs at their events. To date, ITAC has presented
information about the SBIR/STTR programs and the New York FAST program
at eight events including:

-   WWWAC (World Wide Web Artists Consortium), a NYC based the group
    that promotes software and web-based development and utilities.

-   HiTT (Hispanics in Information Technology and Telecommunications), a
    national organization that encompasses Latino technologists from
    software to network development.

-   RedIbis (an African-American Tech group that consists of software
    and hardware developers).

-   BDPA NY-Chapter (Black Data Processing Associates), the oldest and
    the first African-American technology development and outreach
    organization in the country (BDPA has also asked that ITAC present
    information on the FAST program at their national conference in
    August 2003 in Philadelphia).

-   The Harlem Business and Technology Forum (ITAC has also been asked
    to present the program again this year at their annual event.

-   Young StartUp Ventures (a mainstream organization that deals with
    funding issues that affect early stage technology firms and has
    access to the venture community).

-   Microsoft Presents: Blacks & Hispanics in Technology a national
    program that goes to four cities (started last year via a combined
    effort between Microsoft and the Tavis Smiley Group) that showcases
    and advocates minority participation in the technology industry.
    ITAC was invited to speak at this year's conference in Los Angeles;
    however, ITAC opted instead to assist them with developing the
    conference that will be held next year in New York City at the
    Javits Convention Center. Speakers at past events have included Bill
    Gates, Richard Parsons (AOL-Time Warner) and Steve Balmer, among
    others.

-   New York University IT School of Continuing and Professional Studies
    is developing an in-depth SBIR/STTR preparation program that
    actually takes an individual from searching for and thinking about
    the proposal to the writing and mechanics stages of proposal
    preparation. ITAC is serving as a partner in assisting the
    University with the development and dissemination of SBIR/STTR
    (which the university also includes as a way to reach out to diverse
    technology populations).

Another opportunity that ITAC has found very helpful in generating
"buzz" about the program has been through booths at conventions.
Ultimately, nothing beats the one-on-one interaction in the marketplace.
Larger events that ITAC attended this past year include:

-   Nanobusiness Alliance;

-   New York Biotechnology Association; and

-   New York Software Industry Associations BuyNY.

No less than 30 to 40 potential SBIR related contacts have been made at
each event. At these events, typically ITAC gains access to many
African-Americans and Latinos, and also to the other members of the
ethnic populations including members of the Asian (Chinese, Japanese)
and East Asian (Indian Pakistani) community where there is a depth of
existing talent looking for alternate sources of funding new technology.
These sectors must be made a part of any minority based education and
program outreach in order for the program to be successful.

> **Puerto Rico FAST Program Success Stories**

Prof. Edmundo Kraiselburd is the director and key recognized
investigator of the Unit of Comparative Medicine (Caribbean Primate
Research Center and Animal Resources Facilities), and the Specialized
Neuroscience Research Program. The investigator is seeking assistance to
develop the departments into a consolidated, multidisciplinary,
multifunction National Primate (Research) Center.

The CPRC is well known for its expertise in breeding and animal model
development using rhesus macaques. The applicability of rhesus macaques
has been acknowledged as the preferred choice for animal studies in a
large number of disciplines, including neurosciences, behavioral
biology, reproductive physiology, neuro/endocrinology, cardiovascular
studies, pharmacology, angiogenesis, and many other areas. The fact that
the CPRC can be developed into an integrated operation that meets the
standards of a National Center also creates the conditions for the
quality and extent of basic and applied research needed to promote
SBIR/STTR grant-supported projects that will in turn ignite and
contribute to the economical development of Puerto Rico.

The investigator approached PRIDCO for a Strategic and a Business Plan
to evaluate the merits of the project. PRIDCO referred the case to the
Technology Development & Commercialization Center -SBDC for business
counseling. The TDCC started working the case on January 2003.

**SBDC APPROACH:**

The TDCC have been working with Prof. Kraiselburd and his team in
identifying the competencies and weakness of their present capabilities.
It was recognized that Unit of Comparative Medicine (Caribbean Primate
Research Center and Animal Resources Facilities), along with the
Specialized Neuroscience Research Program are key elements for Puerto
Rico's economic development for the biomedicine and biotechnology
strategy.

The services provided by the Technology Development & Commercialization
Center included counseling to develop the Business Plan. Specifically, a
feasibility approach was undertaken to examine the present financial and
management structure conditions of the Research Units under Prof.
Kraiselburd's direction The TDCC is currently assisting in the
identification of matchmaking alternatives between the investigators and
Federal Agencies in potential areas with NIH, DoD and other departments.
The Center has hired the specialized services of the firm Generans
Bioventures to assist in the business plan development.

**RESULTS:**

The TDCC and Generans Bioventures have provided over 120 hours of
counseling to the CPRC. On May 5, 2003, the business plan approach
("CPRC Strategic Management Plan") was presented to the Chancellor of
the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico, to several
Deans of his staff, and to officers from PRIDCO. This document
delineates in a four-level analysis the strategy being proposed. This
strategy is comprised of the following key components: a Management
Strategy, a Research Strategy, an Infrastructure Strategies,
Leapfrogging Strategies and federal funding (STTR/SBIR) to accelerate
the implementation of the Project. The Investigation Center will house
many of the SBIR/STTR projects and key small business investigators. The
Project was received with great enthusiasm and support from the various
officers of the University of Puerto Rico and PRIDCO.

**Michigan FAST Program Success Stories**

Using FAST funding in 2001, the Michigan SBTDC successfully launched the
following initiatives to advance entrepreneurial and technological
progress in Michigan:

-   [Hired four Michigan technology counselors.]{.underline} The SBTDC
    expanded its expertise by hiring four technology counselors. Each
    counselor underwent initial training and development by attending
    the North Carolina Technology Institute, the first of four national
    programs for ASBTDC certification.

-   [Established a partnership between the SBTDC and the Michigan
    Economic Development Corporation]{.underline} ("MEDC"). The SBTDC
    and MEDC shared their resources and expertise, including those of
    technology counselors and MEDC emerging business counselors.
    Systemic changes include a newly developed referral system with the
    MEDC to refer potential technology companies to the SBTDC for
    assistance under FAST.

-   [Facilitated Technology Transfer]{.underline}. The SBTDC partnered
    with the MEDC to facilitate technology transfer. Specifically, the
    MEDC provided \$50,000 to Michigan State University, Michigan
    Technological University, University of Michigan, and Wayne State
    University, to help accelerate commercialization of technologies and
    to engage research faculty members in a statewide coordinated
    commercialization effort. The SBTDC began the initial stages of
    creating a partnership with each technology transfer office and
    identified "second tier" universities that do not maintain
    technology transfer offices and could benefit from SBTDC technology
    resources in 2003.

-   [Worked with technology businesses applying to Michigan Growth
    Capital Fund]{.underline}*.* SBTDC technology counselors worked
    individually with nine technology businesses to write grant
    applications to the fund sponsored by the MEDC. Two technology
    businesses assisted by the SBTDC out of five successful awardees
    received grant funds totaling \$200,000.

-   [Conducted three statewide SBIR/STTR workshops and assisted in SBIR
    proposal preparation.]{.underline} The SBTDC and the Small Business
    Association of Michigan conducted three SBIR/STTR workshops and
    co-counseled nine technology businesses in SBIR proposal
    preparation.

-   [Created the Lakeshore Angel Investor Network]{.underline} in which
    12 companies participated. The SBTDC established a process whereby
    technology businesses submit a 50-word summary, 3-5 page executive
    summary, and 20-30 page business plan for review by the Network for
    potential funding. The process involved five members of the Network
    critiquing the business plan and providing feedback before releasing
    it to the entire network of thirty-five professionals. The Network
    also established a liability waiver release form, developed a
    process for review and validation of the business plans, networked
    with various venture capital organizations, founded Technology Happy
    Hours for networking opportunities, and supported various local
    initiatives for venture capital funds.

#### [Developed a statewide database]{.underline} to record counseling and training deliverables for FAST and created a [new SBTDC website]{.underline} at [**www.mi-SBTDC.org**](http://www.mi-sbdc.org/). 

-   [Supported the Michigan Life Sciences Corridor]{.underline}. The
    SBTDC supported this \$1 billion, 20-year initiative that encourages
    basic, applied and commercialization research activities in Michigan
    and engages the efforts of pharmaceutical research centers, food
    processing nutritional labs, medical instrument manufacturers,
    medical research centers at Michigan's three largest public
    universities, and several private medical research concerns.
    Specifically, SBTDC technology counselors co-counseled technology
    businesses with the Michigan Life Sciences Corridor program manager.

-   [Assumed a leadership role in Great Lakes Venture Quest
    ("GLVQ"):]{.underline} GLVQ, a statewide business plan competition
    for technology companies, is entering its third year of delivery.
    The State Director of the SBTDC served on the Executive Committee,
    Chairing the Training Committee. Managing and instructing hundreds
    of participating technology companies in 24 training sessions from
    September through March and serving as screeners and coaches, are
    just a few of the primary leadership roles assumed by the SBTDC.

-   [Provided SBIR assistance with Biotechnology Business Consultants
    (BBC).]{.underline} As an SBTDC partner, BBC provided
    commercialization-consulting services to life sciences entrepreneurs
    and early-staff life science companies throughout Michigan through a
    combination of seminars, training sessions, meetings and consulting
    assistance or incubation services. The SBTDC also engaged BBC to
    deliver SBIR training for ten statewide SBTDC counselors. Technology
    counselors and regional directors of SBTDC provided SBIR assistance
    to clients lacking grant writing sophistication, effectively
    bridging the gap in services between the SBTDC and the BBC.

-   [Provided assistance in developing SmartZones*:*]{.underline} The
    SBTDC provided assistance in developing inter-governmental regions
    called "SmartZones." SmartZones provide tax increment revenues to
    create and operate high-tech incubators, foster partnerships in
    support of high-tech businesses and create an identity for Michigan
    as a state that supports technology development. The SBTDC was an
    active player in each of these regional zones, serving technology
    companies through its core competencies of counsel, market research,
    and training. In addition, technology counselors and their
    respective regional director interfaced with each of the SmartZones
    by assisting clients with intellectual property issues, management
    issues, alternative financing issues, and SBIR proposal development.
    Simultaneous with the submission of the FAST proposal, the eleven
    SmartZones are submitting to the Michigan Economic Development
    Corporation \"Accelerator Proposals.\" In most every region, the
    SBTDC is an active participant in this proposal.

**Maryland FAST Program Success Stories**

Success is measured

1.  by the number of targeted businesses that are now applying for SBIRs
    after attending a workshop, after attending a seminar, after
    receiving counseling from the FAST program manager or counseling
    from one of the partners

2.  and by the number of targeted businesses that have now won an sbir
    after attending a workshop, etc...

 

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  20/20 Genesystems, woman owned. Employees attended 1 seminar & 1
  workshop       submitted first NIH application, working on a second
  application for August

  Anthrotronix, woman owned. Employees attended 1 seminar & 1 workshop
  since attending the workshop the have been awarded: Phase One awards
  from DOE, DARPA, Army ARL, NIH, NSF and one Phase 2 from NSF.

  ATEC, minority owned. Employees to 2 workshops Phase One from Air
  Force, Phase Two from Army, submitted 2 STTR's in partnership with UMCP
  and are preparing 3 SBIRs.

  Convergent Tech, minority owned. 1 workshop, 1 seminar submitted, no
  award

  GMA, woman owned. Employees attended to 2 workshops. Phase 1's from Air
  Force, Navy, NOAA, submitting to ARL and NIH.

  Hegel, minority. 1 workshop, 1-on-1 preparing for submission, working
  with Morgan State on collaboration effort

  iTeleHealth, woman owned. Seminar and 1-on-1 Phase 2 NIH, considering
  further submissions.

  KDS, minority owned. 1 workshop submitted 3 applications to various
  agencies, no awards

  LePre Environmental, minority. 1 workshop, 1-on-1 submitting first
  Phase 1 to EPA, plans further submissions

  Marlignen Biosciences, woman owned. Employees to 2 workshops submitting
  first SBIRs to NIH, has plans for further submissions.

  MYI Consulting, Minority woman owned. 1 workshop, 1-on-1 submitted two,
  no awards, considering further submissions.

  Next Breath woman emp's to 2 workshops, 1-on-1 submitted one, preparing
  two more for NIH

  Pass Software minority-owned. 1 workshop submitted two, no awards.

  Utensile Designs, woman-owned. 1 workshop, seminar, 1-on-1 submitted
  first to NIH, plans further submissions.

  Mayur Technologies, minority owned. Employees attended workshops,
  1-on-1. Has Phase 2-NOAA, plans submissions to NASA, DARPA.

  This list is just of targeted companies.  There are 16 other companies
  that have either submitted or are actively preparing submissions.
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------