SBA to stop in New Brunswick on small business innovation research tour – NJBIZ
The U.S. Small Business Administration is stopping in New Brunswick on its National Small Business Innovation Research Road Tour on Sept. 18.
The road tour is designed to connect small businesses working on high tech, high impact ideas with the SBA’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, the country’s largest source of early stage funding.
“These programs focus on next generation research & development and are led by the SBA with 11 participating federal agencies that provide grant opportunities to further develop technologies solicited by each participating agency,” said SBA New Jersey District Director Al Titone in a statement.
New Brunswick is one stop along the 16 city tour. It will be held at the Rutgers University Cook Student Center at 59 Biel Road.
“Every year, we meet entrepreneurs from around the country looking to turn their big idea into another great American innovation story. We are committed to supporting America’s small businesses owners wherever they are,” said Acting Administrator Chris Pilkerton in a statement. “This tour reflects our continued commitment to ensuring that these innovators are aware of SBA’s resources to help them reach that goal.”
The tour stop will include presentations ranging from Surprising Opportunities with DoD to NASA to Collaborating with New Jersey’s Research Universities, and pre-registered small businesses will be able to engage in one-on-one 15 minute meetings with program managers from federal agencies.
New Jersey is fertile ground for innovation and technology, according to Regional Administrator Steve Bulger. New Jersey small businesses have received 4,571 SBIR and STTR grants for $1.2 billion since 1983. Last year, 101 SBIR and STTR grants totaling $50 million went to small businesses in the state.
According to Bulger, the SBIR Road Tour plays an important role in “increasing engagement with entrepreneurial ecosystems across the country and building out greater networks to support the creation of small businesses focusing on high-impact research.”
The SBIR and STTR programs tend to fly under the radar, he said, yet they provide over $3 billion annually in early stage funding to tech businesses.
Small technology firms, innovators, scientists, or researchers who would like to attend can register for $45 before the day of the event and students can register for $20. The day of the event, registration is $65 and $40 for non-students and students respectively.