Portland, Oregon will host the 2012 National Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Conference on November 13 - 15, 2012

Description:

The Micro-enterprise Inventors Program of Oregon (MIPO) and the Oregon Small Business Development Center Network (OSBDC) will host the SBIR/STTR 2012 National Conference: Crack the Code –an event that welcomes entrepreneurs, businesses, government agencies, innovators, universities, and community partners to Portland, Oregon.

SBIR/STTR are competitive federal government grant programs that fund small businesses to develop innovative, high-risk technologies with the goal of increasing private sector commercialization into the marketplace.

This conference will provide critical information to small businesses competing for SBIR/STTR grants and contracts, which amount to approximately $2.5 billion in funding annually. Entrepreneurs can meet one-on-one with federal program managers; learn from SBIR/STTR past recipients, and tap into successful commercialization strategiesthrough experts in the field.

“Oregon has a long and proud tradition of entrepreneurship and technology innovation, and it’s one that we must carry on into the 21st century to create new industries and jobs for Oregonians. Our state is home to the city with the most patented inventions in the nation, making Oregon an ideal location for this conference.

The national Small Business Research Innovation Conference is a great place for our innovators to get the resources they need to make their ideas a reality, and I’m pleased that we will be hosting it next year,” says Senator Jeff Merkley.

The event is expected to draw nearly one thousand entrepreneurs and business development professionals from across the U.S., along with federal agency program managers and directors, business executives, federal contractors and university researchers. Speakers are slated to discuss topics covering the winning formulae for successful SBIR/STTR grants, as well as the major factors influencing failure. Technology tracks will include speakers on biomedical/health, defense/security, energy/clean-tech, agricultural/food and much more.

The theme “Crack the Code” is designed to promote discovery of the key issues to successful grant applications --creating connections, fostering new opportunities, showcasing diversity, and exploring innovative possibilities for both new and experienced SBIR recipients.

This conference in particular will highlight the incredible success stories of women-owned and minority-owned firms that have built innovative platforms through the SBIR/STTR programs.

Attendees should prepare themselves for three information-filled days of success stories, workshops, presentations, exhibits, and new developments. This conference will also include a small business legal clinic and informative preevent webinars.

The conference location is the Doubletree Hotel Portland, Portland's first sustainable hotel, a perfect site for the SBIR National Conference because of its commitment to sustainable practices, including community involvement, waste reduction, energy efficiency, and localized purchasing.