Q&A talks about programs that help small business with Deb Santy, director of small business innovation and research (SBIR) for Connecticut Innovations in Rocky Hill.
Q: What is the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program? How does it help Connecticut businesses?
A: The FAST Program is a result of the federal Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) legislation. This year, Connecticut was among the states that won a grant from this competitive program. The grant funds winners to provide an array of services in support of the SBIR program. It helps Connecticut businesses by strengthening the technological competitiveness of small businesses at the state level.
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Q: How is Connecticut Innovations improving the participation of small businesses?
A: Overall, through outreach and technical assistance activities developed by the Connecticut SBIR Office. Specifically, we are using this grant to target small technology businesses owned by women, minority and veterans to address unmet needs for improving SBIR/STTR outcomes for these under-represented groups in several ways:
• We will connect and train innovators individually and in workshops providing individualized assistance as necessary.
• We will connect them with others in government, industry and universities to help them get products commercialized.
• We will train them to understand how the SBIR/STTR program works and how the Connecticut SBIR Office has additional core programs and services to support them.
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Q: The federal Small Business Innovation Research program provides over $2 billion annually in research and development grants to small businesses. How does Connecticut fare in getting that money?
A: In 2009, Connecticut received approximately $47 million in SBIR related funding.
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Q: Why is the focus in Connecticut on using FAST funding to reach out to minorities, women and veterans who are starting or leading entrepreneurial, technology ventures in Connecticut? Are they more like to receive the grants?
A: Those were the grant requirements specified by the federal government, who has long recognized that minorities, women and veterans are underserved SBIR markets. By providing FAST grants to help strengthen state programs to reach out to these entrepreneurs, states are better equipped to support these groups.
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Q: How many small businesses are we talking about that fit those guidelines? What are some of the entrepreneurial ventures they are involved in?
A: The numbers are what we’re trying to ascertain. The Connecticut data was unavailable from the SBA, but we are working with local agencies and organizations like ConnStep, the Dept. of Commerce and other groups who have information on the target populations to determine where and how to best perform our outreach.
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Q: What’s the next step for people interested in getting more information about SBIR?
A: Visit www.ctinnovations.com/sbir and discuss your needs with someone on our team.
