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Entrepreneurs
TVC is a mainstay of entrepreneurial support in each community that it supports. TVC’s efforts with technology development institutions and investors create a number of opportunities for entrepreneurs, ranging from networking events to SBIR seminars. The two pillars of TVC’s support to entrepreneurs, however, are TVC’s entrepreneurial seminars, and its jobs-matching websites.
Entrepreneurial Education (CCET). Enabling innovation means supporting innovators with the knowledge of those who have preceded them in creating viable companies. TVC’s Center for Commercialization and Entrepreneurial Training (CCET) is the Education/Training arm of Technology Ventures Corporation, in partnership with the Department of Energy. CCET provides an extensive curriculum of courses designed to familiarize the new and experienced entrepreneur with the many components of forming, planning, financing, operating, and expanding a technology-based business. The CCET program consists of six monthly seminars—run twice a year in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area, and taught by experienced local subject-matter experts.
An entrepreneurial community also needs resources—advisors, capital, etc. TVC works with many service providers that are willing to lend some of their expertise upfront, and “off the clock.” We also cultivate relationships with investors and financing institutions in order to increase opportunities for entrepreneurs to access capital for growth.
High Tech Job Forums (TechJobs). Another important aspect of a vibrant entrepreneurial community is matching people with specific skills to companies with skill gaps. TVC’s High Tech Job Forum (www.techjobsites.org) offers a free, web-based tool for companies to circulate human resource needs among a national pool of candidates. Conversely, potential employees and contractors can post their capabilities.
The SBIR/STTR Outreach Center. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program at TVC provides small technology businesses with the opportunity to propose innovative ideas that match specific research and development needs of the 11 participating Federal agencies. These agencies include: Departments of Homeland Security, Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Transportation, Health and Human Services as well as National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and National Science Foundation.
The SBIR/STTR Phase I award provides up to $100,000 to prove feasibility. The Phase II award expands on the research leading to a prototype with up to $750,000. Grants require no payback.
The SBIR/STTR Resouce Center provides proposal resources to comply with exacting Federal agency requirements through expert speaker events, mentor programs and electronic updates.
The SBIR/STTR Program is open to any small, American-owned, for-profit technology business.
For further information, contact Barbara Stoller, Director of the SBIR Resource Center, at (505) 843-4105.
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