2008 National SBIR/STTR Conference Celebrates
50 Years of NASA Space Exploration and 25 Years of SBIR

Pensacola, FL: In celebration of the Silver Anniversary of the SBIR Program and 50 Years of NASA Space Exploration, the Florida SBDC Network, in partnership with NASA and the Florida Small Business Development Foundation, Inc., is coordinating and sponsoring the 2008 SBIR/STTR National Spring Conference at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida, May 27-30, 2008.

The SBIR Program has provided federal government funding to small businesses engaged in innovative research for 25 years. A $2.2 billion appropriation is set aside for the 2008 program. Eligible small businesses may compete for “Phase I” SBIR and STTR grants and contracts of up to $100,000 to undertake a feasibility study/analysis on their idea/concept; Phase II awards of up to $750,000 may be awarded to validate their research. The Conference will bring federal program administrators from the 11 SBIR participating agencies, venture capital and angel investors, secondary market and traditional lenders, university and federal laboratory representatives, prime contractors and others together to provide assistance with the early-stage ventures. Successful Phase I and Phase II businesses and agencies will be available to discuss the SBIR process.

Key features of the conference and celebration include a keynote address by Shana L. Dale, Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); a special segment at the Kennedy Space Center to help NASA celebrate America’s 50 Years of Space Exploration and hear from a panel of experts on what’s next for NASA along with their future technology needs; a panel discussion by the U.S. Department of Energy on Innovations in Alternative and Renewable Energy Resources; a full-day SBIR Phase I Proposal Development Workshop and a ½ day Phase II Workshop; concurrent workshop tracks; and one-on-one opportunities with participating SBIR and technology experts.

The conference is for entrepreneurs engaged in innovative physical or bioscience research; venture capital and angel investors; IP, securities and corporate counsel; research scientists from public and private labs; audit, accounting and tax professionals; commercial lenders; public and private analytical laboratory managers; corporate CEO/COO/CFO; prime contractor procurement representatives; economic development, workforce development and private business service providers focused on knowledge-based business development; university technology transfer, grant and contracts administrators; elected and appointed public officials interested in learning how they can participate in the growth of a knowledge economy; and state SBIR program representatives.

Visit www.sbirflorida.org to register and for more information, and/or contact Jennifer Crews (850.473.7807) or Lew Attardo (850.473.7805), or email at jcrews@uwf.edu or lattardo@uwf.edu. Register by April 18 to take advantage of the early bird fee of $325.

The Florida Small Business Development Center Network is a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations dedicated to providing emerging and established business owners with assistance enabling overall growth and increased profitability that contributes to the economic prosperity of the state. For more information about the FSBDCN, call 1.866.737.7232 or visit our website at www.FloridaSBDC.org.

The FSBDCN is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. SBA.