Technology Commercialization & SBIR-STTR
Developing a Technology or Innovation-Based Business
iDesignproject assists entrepreneurs whose business focus is on innovation, new technology development or new applications of existing technology. Services include consulting, research and training. All services are available at cost through iDesignproject.
Who We Serve
Our assistance to US and International innovation-based businesses is focused on the following:
- Entrepreneurs using engineering, science, or technology to develop new products, services, or processes.
- Entrepreneurs who have ideas for innovative products or services that apply existing technology in new ways.
- Entrepreneurs engaged in biosciences, engineering, agriculture, information technology, and similar high-tech areas.
- University researchers interested in establishing new ventures to commercialize research.
- Organizations supporting technology transfer and commercialization that benefits US based small businesses.
What We Do
The iDesignproject services are based on the individual needs of our innovation-based small business customers. Generally, they include:
Technology Business Planning
- Business plan development and plan reviews
- Market research and analysis
- Basics of intellectual property
- Commercialization assessment and strategies
- Business Model Canvas
Alternative Financing
- Assistance in understanding and accessing R&D money
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
- Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
- Angel capital
- Venture capital
- Traditional financing sources
Market Research
- Market, customer and industry analysis
- Demographics
- Competitor identification
- Industry benchmarks
- GIS mapping
Whether a small technology-focused startup, or a growing medium sized business looking at different technology areas, iDesignproject can help. Market, technology & IP assessments are critical in making informed decisions. Whether you are:
- Validating information before an investment decision
- Investigating a new market
- Providing to a client a commercial potential report;
- Identifying potential partners for your venture
- Market Assessment
- Identifying different technology applications, and new business lines
- Generating commercialization and business plans
- Revenue predictions
- IP Portfolio Assessment
- IP identification and management process review
- Assessment of tangible assets that could be leveraged further
- Technology Scouting
- Collaborative research project identification
- IP landscaping and analysis
- Competing technologies and competing products;
- Competitive advantage of the SBIR/STTR-developed technology;
- Market size and potential market share (may include national and/or global markets);
- Barriers to market entry (may include but is not limited to pricing, competition, government regulations, manufacturing challenges, capital requirements, etc.);
- Market drivers;
- Status of market and industry trends;
- Potential customers, licensees, investors, or other commercialization partners; and,
- The price customers are likely to pay.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
Navigate 11 federal agencies that fund R&D projects under the SBIR/STTR programs
Draft research proposals
Review proposals
Find institutional partners to provide research expertise
Training
The iDesignproject offers a wide variety of live and online classes on topics relevant to innovation-based entrepreneurs, such as SBIR/STTR, intellectual property, and market research. For more information visit www.idesignproject.com/events
You can also access SBIR/STTR online tutorials at www.sbir.gov/tutorials.
Market Research
Using cutting-edge market analysis tools and databases, the iDesignproject helps researchers and innovators gauge the commercialization potential of new technology. Beyond the basics of defining your research, the iDesignproject can provide information on the potential market, competitors, or alternatives to your technology.
The “economic intelligence” iDesignproject can also help define your design and distribution as well as find new customers, identify potential markets, and expand product lines. In addition, iDesignproject assists innovation-based companies with market research for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposals.
The goal of iDesignproject market research services is to help owners of small companies make sound business decisions by providing high-quality, in-depth information. Best of all, our assistance is for US and International based entrepreneurs. Contact the iDesignproject at nakia@idesignproject.com to learn more.
New Product Ideas
It is exciting to have an idea for a new product. Keep in mind that bringing a new product to market is one of the most challenging types of entrepreneurial projects. It is difficult and very expensive. So, before paying for that expensive patent, consider these points as you determine whether or not to move forward.
01
Does it already exist?
Do a preliminary patent search. Also, a similar product could exist but not have a patent, so do extensive Internet research.
02
Is there a market for your product?
03
The plan for how to bring the product to market
is just as important as the product itself. How do you plan to commercialize your idea? Commercialization is very costly and challenging. Who will sell your product? How will you get those companies to sell your product? The challenges you faced in developing the product are small compared to this part of the process. This part is bigger.
04
Understand the financial realities
05
If you want to patent your idea, hire a patent attorney
IP Protection
Safeguarding Your Intellectual Property
Patents
Patents are granted by the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). There are three classifications of patents: utility, design, and plant patents. A patent gives the inventor or assignee the right “to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention throughout the United States or importing the invention into the United States.” In exchange for this protection, the inventor must publicly disclose the invention. Most patents provide protection for a term of 20 years. Other patent protection may be available to an inventor to provide certain international protections. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office U.S. Patent and Trademark Office FAQ About Patents
Trademark
A trademark is a “word, phrase, symbol or design, or combination thereof, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of the seller. A trademark is noted by the TM symbol. A service mark is similar excepting that it is used to distinguish the source of a service rather than that of goods. A service mark is noted by the SM symbol. Both the TM and SM symbols may be used without any registration with USPTO. Registering a mark with USPTO gives the holder certain benefits including listing in the USPTO online database and allowing the holder to display the ® symbol with the mark. More information and a searchable database of registered marks can be found at uspto.gov.
Copyright
Copyrights provide protection to authors of “original works of authorship.” This can include literary works, musical works, dramatic woks, choreographic works, pictorial and sculptural works, motion pictures, sound recordings, and certain other intellectual works. A copyright gives the holder certain rights related to distribution, reproduction, derivation, performance, and displays. Although not required, many who produce these works register the copyright to obtain additional protections. Copyright registration is obtained from the U. S. Library of Congress.
SBIR/STTR Federal Funding
About SBIR and STTR
The federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program provides more than $2 billion annually to research-capable small businesses. Interested firms apply by responding to requests for proposals, also known as solicitations, from participating federal agencies that set aside part of their research and development (R&D) budgets specifically for the SBIR program.
The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program is SBIR’s sister program that is similar in structure to SBIR but funds cooperative public/private R&D projects involving a small business and a research institution.
SBIR and STTR funds are competitively awarded in three phases in the form of contracts, grants, and/or cooperative agreements by the participating agencies.
Participating Agencies
Eleven federal agencies set aside part of their research and development budgets specifically for the SBIR program. Five of the agencies also fund projects through the STTR program, which requires small firms to partner with non-profit research institutions.
Federal Agencies that Fund Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Projects
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)
– National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
– National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
U.S. Department of Education (DED)
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
– National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Federal Agencies That Fund STTR Research and Development Projects
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
– National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
STTR Program Description and Requirements
Call on Us
Are you an entrepreneur or researcher interested in pursuing SBIR or STTR funding? We are eager to assist you. Then contact our innovation consultant, Nakia Melecio, at nakia@idesignproject.com or 888-837-5505 to discuss whether SBIR or STTR is a viable source of funds for your research or technology.
Customized Research and Analysis
The iDesignproject performs personalized, tailored market analysis based on the needs of each client. The in-depth, high-quality information comes from three sources: subscriptions to more than 30 proprietary market research databases, special GIS mapping software licensed by iDesignproject, and the wide range of academic resources iDesignproject has access to as a university-based program. iDesignproject research services are offered a charge to for-profit small businesses in the US and International businesses. For more information, contact Nakia Melecio.
RESEARCH GRANT ASSISTANCE
Creating competitive SBIR/STTR grant/contract or other research grant proposals requires diligence, planning and attention to detail (and deadlines). iDesignproject team members have broad knowledge about the programs and expertise in developing persuasive proposals. Collectively, our team members have coached startups and student teams through the application process of the proposal. They provide clients with:
- Assistance in identifying appropriate solicitations
- How-to information on agency registrations and electronic submission
- Guidance on proposal preparation, including assessments of technical objectives and hypotheses, and drafting of supporting documents (e.g., biographical sketches, resources, budgets)
- Detailed technical reviews and edits of proposals with extensive feedback
- Collection of primary and secondary market research data to be included in SBIR/STTR proposals and/or for other businesses purposes
- Specifics on the target agency’s requirements for commercialization content in Phase I/Phase II proposals
- Post-submission support, including proposal revision and resubmission
Onsite Training
Years of experience have shown that face-to-face training can be a critical factor in successful proposal development. iDesignproject offers a wide range of SBIR/STTR-related training programs for entrepreneurs and SBIR support organizations including:
- SBIR/STTR basics and introduction
- Intensive agency-specific programs covering one or more agencies
- Grants management and post award training
- How to assess client eligibility for SBIR – for service providers in your ecosystem
- Preparing SBIR/STTR commercialization plans
Programming is customized to meet your needs and can include not only traditional workshops, but also lunch-and-learn programs for time- crunched audiences and one-on-ones with companies.
One-on-One Consulting Programs
iDesignproject consults with many companies that are sponsored by client organizations. Services available for these programs include:
- One-on-one telephone assessment of company eligibility and readiness for SBIR/STTR
- Assistance in identifying appropriate solicitations
- Guidance on proposal preparation, including review of technical objectives, hypotheses, and drafting supporting documents, and proposal edits with extensive interactive feedback
- Hands-on help with agency registrations and electronic submission
- Post-submission support, including proposal revision and resubmission
