ASU’s Venture Catalyst to offer workshops for entrepreneurs seeking grant funding

ASU Venture Catalyst will offer their second SBIR Phase 1 workshop of 2012, for grant applicants seeking Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding, on April 24 and 25 at ASU SkySong. ASU’s workshops will offer education and information about SBIR grants as well as teaching structured SBIR grant writing methodology that has proven to be highly successful. Individualized sessions for proposal review and assistance from coaches and past SBIR grant recipients will also be available to workshop participants during day two.

“In this workshop, participants will receive guidance in researching government organizations and topics, financial and administrative requirements, and will explore some specific steps to attract commercialization partners,” says Jessica Groeneveld, program manager for ASU Venture Catalyst.  “Participants will learn the essential elements of their Phase I proposal outlines and will leave with a stronger understanding of next steps to take in developing their SBIR/STTR proposals.”

The Small Business Innovation Research program and Small Business Technology Transfer program provide funding for early-stage technology ventures that are still too high-risk to attract funding from private investors. Both programs are coordinated by the U.S. Small Business Administration. ASU’s Venture Catalyst conducts these SBIR workshops to provide research, writing and submission support for entrepreneurs and high-potential startups, as well as facilitating critical connections to corporations that can provide letters of support to applicants.  Phase 1 Workshops are open to ASU faculty, students and local companies. ASU also collaborates with the Arizona Small Business Development Center to provide workshops, writing support and business development for sustainable companies.

“Venture Catalyst provides phase 1 workshops because we see their value, and we have seen their success,” says Gordon McConnell, executive director of ASU Venture Catalyst. “Since 2008, ASU has had over 300 participants in our workshops, with 30 ASU-linked companies receiving SBIR grant awards totaling more than $2.2 million.  Our methods work for entrepreneurs and we invite startups to come check it out at this next workshop.”

There are still seats available for this week’s workshop.  For more information on ASU’s Phase 1 Workshops visit www.asuventurecatalyst.org.