Registration Open! SBIR National Conference Coming to RTP April 30 - May 3, 2007 Registration is now open for the Spring 2007 SBIR National Conference. The four-day conference will be held in the heart of Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. Learn from, meet and network with reps from all 11 participating federal agencies. Choose from three consecutive tracks based upon your level of knowledge of the programs. Meet successful awardees as they demonstrate their technologies. A world of information awaits you in one place over four days, and all for $249 for NC registrants and $299 for non-NC registrants. See www.ncsbir.org for the agenda and much more.

Solicitations Open and in the Pipeline

NIH (SBIR/STTR): Open
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbir.htm

DoD (STTR): Opened 1/22
http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sbir/solicitations/index.htm

DOT (SBIR): Opened 1/22
http://www.volpe.dot.gov/sbir/

Dept. of Homeland Security: Opens mid-February
http://www.hsarpasbir.com/

EPA (SBIR): Opens 3/22
http://es.epa.gov/ncer/sbir/

NIH FY 2006 SBIR/STTR Award Data for NC

The most recent data from NIH show that NC small businesses brought in over $24 million to the state through the federal SBIR/STTR programs at NIH through 36 Phase Is and 35 either new or on-going phase IIs. NIH award data is available online at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/award_data.htm.

Other Application Deadlines Looming

NC IDEA Grants Program and CED Venture Forum

NC IDEA
Registration is now open for the Spring 2007 grant solicitation. NC IDEA makes semi-annual solicitations for ideas with the potential to become high-growth companies. They award selected projects in amounts of up to $50,000. For more information about the program and how to apply, click here.

CED Venture Forum
The final application deadline to present at Venture 2007 has been extended from Jan. 31 to Feb. 23. Click here for Information about how to apply.

Attend Five Ventures

You are cordially invited to UNC Charlotte's Five Ventures^TM 2007 on April 12th at the Barnhardt Activity Center on campus. Interact with top entrepreneurs. Listen to the five finalists share their billion-dollar ideas. Watch them compete in an interactive business acumen competition. Participate in lively discussions with investors. Network with business and community leaders. While many start-ups focus purely on funding, the Five Ventures^TM event leverages the strengths, talents and resources of an entire community to encourage sustainability and growth.

The deadline for submitting business plans to the competition is March 1. Competition information and conference registration are available at http://fiveventures.uncc.edu.