Fast-Track Your SBIR/STTR Funding in 2024
Find out how the government’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs can provide a source of R&D funding between the initial development of your innovative idea and proof that it has potential in the marketplace. The two programs make over $4 billion in high-risk, non-dilutive capital available to innovative small companies annually!
Join our expert in this interactive workshop to learn what it takes to participate in the programs. We'll review, eligibility requirements, participating agencies, the differences between SBIR and STTR, common misconceptions and more!
This training is designed to provide enough information for attendees to determine if they would like to seriously pursue proposal development and provides the tools to help begin the process.
The Science Center is committed to supporting Pennsylvania small businesses in navigating the complexities of federal funding programs. Join us and learn about resources available to help you in navigating this complex funding space for your innovation.
Registration is required to attend. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
About the Presenters
Shannon Gross
Executive Consultant and BBCetc Co-owner
Shannon is a BBCetc Co-owner and Executive Consultant. She joined the BBCetc team in 2018 bringing with her 28 years of management experience in the biotechnology industry and as an independent SBIR/STTR consultant. Shannon’s career began with an animal health start-up out of the University of Kentucky, which was later purchased by Neogen Corporation. She continued in senior management with Neogen for 17 years in the areas of quality control/ assurance, regulatory, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and technical services. Later she became CEO of a biotech start-up which brought to market a veterinary research device and president of another medical device firm developing a product for treatment of late-stage lung cancer. She holds B.S. degree in Agriculture from Murray State University in Kentucky.
About BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting
BBCetc is nationally recognized for its success in helping emerging companies win SBIR/STTR funding and use it strategically to propel growth. BBCetc manages the Michigan SBIR/STTR Assistance Program and BBCetc’s Michigan clients have been awarded over $437 million in funding since 2002. The company was recently named a 2020 Tibbetts award winner as well as one of 50 “Michigan companies to watch” by Michigan Celebrates Small Business. Find out more at www.bbcetc.com.
Tiara Durham
Director of New Ventures, University City Science Center
Tiara is an ecosystem builder with a passion for helping founders launch and grow their businesses. As Director of New Ventures. Tiara supports a number of existing commercialization activities in addition to developing new opportunities. Before joining with the Science Center, Tiara led East Coast business development for an impact investment company devoted to diverse-founder-led businesses and those committed to diverse hiring practices by helping them accelerate business growth through catalytic capital and advisory services. Prior, Tiara was a global business leader in the healthcare industry – driving fifteen years of innovation, growth, and sustainability across several therapeutic areas.
about the science center
The Science Center is Philadelphia’s premier catalyst of entrepreneurial activity, healthcare innovation, and economic growth. Established in 1963, the Science Center has been recognized by The Brookings Institution as a best-in-class investor, mentor, and economic development partner for young technology companies. Today, the mission-driven organization advances healthcare innovation from idea to the marketplace through proven commercialization support and builds inclusive STEM pathways for Philadelphia youth and adults.
Kelly Wylam
Director, Innovation Partnership (IPart)
Ms. Wylam has over 25 years of experience with a variety of businesses and economic development programs/initiatives in Pennsylvania. Her current position is Directing the Innovation Partnership (IPart), PA’s premiere SBIR/ STTR statewide assistance program. Ms. Wylam was a part of the IPart’s origination team, spearheaded by PA DCED in 2002. IPart is truly a statewide collaboration, bringing to bear the counseling, business assistance resources of more than 18 PA-based organizations & institutions of higher education (75+ locations), assisting tech-based entrepreneurs and existing businesses to grow and thrive in the Commonwealth.
Ms. Wylam provides clients with business-focused counseling, grant proposal assistance/training, and supports the IPart’s network of member organizations throughout PA. She is seasoned in grant preparation, funding acquisition, program & project management, and financial administration.
Previously, Ms. Wylam served the Commonwealth’s businesses in DCED’s Office of Technology Investment, managing the Pennsylvania Initiative for Nanotechnology (PIN), providing oversight for the BFTDA’s University Grant Funding and Keystone Innovation Starter Kit (KISK) programs, and working with technology-focused businesses seeking state funding and assistance. Ms. Wylam has also worked at PA DCED in the business financing area, managing pooled bond financings, and small business lending and grant programs.
She has a BS in PR/Communications from Millersville University and an MA in Government from Lehigh University.
about Innovation Partnership
The Innovation Partnership (IPart) is Pennsylvania’s premiere Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) and federal funding assistance program. IPart, administered by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP), and established in 2002 (operational 2003), is a unique state-wide consortium involving the following economic development and business assistance organizations and institutions of higher education, located throughout the Commonwealth. Each of the organizations brings a unique perspective and skill-set to the IPart, giving it a distinct capability that serves the Commonwealth as a whole and makes new resources available statewide, that historically, were limited to specific geographic regions.