Maricopa SBDC Technology Program
Technology has been identified as one of Arizona’s high-impact growth industries with several Universities, Community Colleges, City, and other non-profit supported incubators and funding Arizona continues to be a supportive environment for early to late-stage high-tech businesses.
Technology Commercialization
We help entrepreneurs bridge the gap between technology development and commercialization. The Technology Commercialization Services team provides one-on-one business counseling and advice to small business owners, university researchers, and entrepreneurs looking to advance their innovations to the marketplace. These innovations typically involve intellectual property that contributes to a strong competitive advantage in the marketplace and serves as a foundation for the business. This includes individuals and firms engaged in engineering, biosciences, information technology, agriculture, and similar high-tech areas whether it involves research and development or the innovation of existing technology to be applied in new ways.
Scope of Services
Counseling
One-on-One counseling (at no cost to the client) is available to science and engineering-oriented companies engaged in research and development, technology transfer, technology licensing and development as well as companies seeking to pursue SBIR/STTR or other government contracts.
Early-Stage Capital Acquisition
Lack of sufficient capital has been the cause of many business failures. While working with the SBDC technology coordinator, entrepreneurs learn about the different available funding options, assess and plan per venture readiness level, how to tailor an investor pitch to each type, and funding that’s available through equity-based financing.
We provide the following guidance:
• Identify funding sources
• Funding proposals and executive summary presentations
• Business plans to financial projections
• Preparing Angel or Venture-Capital Pitch/Presentations
• General education on Angel/VC financing
• Service provider referrals (finance, legal, accounting, etc.)
• Connecting with Angel groups
SBIR Support
The highly competitive Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a Federal funding opportunity with over $2 billion available to support research and development projects. The complementary Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program uses a similar approach to fund public/private sector partnerships between small businesses and universities or research institutions.
We provide:
- Program overview resources
- Advisement on program suitability
- Counseling on proposal outlining and preparation
- Focus on commercialization plans
- Proposal review and analysis for competitiveness
Technology Transfer & Licensing
SBDC works closely with Universities and other organizations to help foster commercialization of revolutionary technologies.
We provide the following guidance:
- Product and market feasibility studies/investigation
- Identifying and obtaining suitable technology for transfer or license
- Strategies for integrating and/or commercializing transferred or licensed technology
- Business planning to support commercialization
Intellectual Property Protection Support
With the SBDC counseling, you’ll learn the importance of when to protect your intellectual property through the use of patents, copyrights, and trademarks, how you can benefit by licensing technology, and how to protect your business interests if you decide to license someone else’s technology.
We provide the following support:
- Learn why intellectual property protection is important.
- Learn how to know when you need a patent, trademark, or copyright.
- Understand the benefits and potential problems associated with licensing technology.
- Learn how to protect your business interests if you license your technology.
- Understand how to protect your business interests if you license someone else’s technology.
Cyber Security
The largest threat currently facing your small businesses is cybersecurity. Small-to medium-sized businesses are particularly at risk because they are viewed by hackers as easier to penetrate due to their general lack of awareness and resources. Small businesses can no longer afford to remain unaware of the threats or remain complacent with inadequate technology.
Business Owners have to take action to enhance their systems, processes, and staffing to remain viable in today’s online economy. You are not alone, however. The Maricopa Small Business Development Center can help you prepare and guard against potential security breaches.
The information within this workbook is a starting point for your planning and should be updated regularly. As the cyber landscape continues to change rapidly, so must your business strategy and operations. As mentioned earlier, the Maricopa SBDC is here to help.
