National Conference held in Portland, Oregon to teach small businesses how to compete for $2.5 billion in federal grants.
PORTLAND, ORE – August 1, 2012 – Beating out hundreds for the privilege, non-profit organization, Micro-enterprise Inventors Program of Oregon (MIPO) will host the annual Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) National Conference from November 13 – 15, 2012 in Portland, Oregon. The three day conference will draw more than 600 entrepreneurs, businesses, government agencies, innovators, universities and community partners to ‘Crack the Code’ on $2.5 billion in federal and government funding annually.
Media sponsor, Pamplin Group, is working with the conference communications team to launch an interactive social media “Win a Ticket” contest. Contestants will create a 30-second video that they will post to the conference Facebook page that showcases how a $100,000 contract or grant will help their technology concept move forward.
Registration is now open for the acclaimed event which rotates nationally 2012 will mark the first time the Conference will be hosted in Oregon. The conference theme -‘Crack the Code’ will allow attendees to learn strategies from past SBIR/STTR award recipients hear from experts with successful commercialization techniques and meet one-on-one with subject matter experts. It will also provide critical information to small businesses seeking start-up funding.
“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,” says Senator Jeff Merkley. “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 this year.”
An outpouring of interest from local and national businesses has resulted in an impressive list of sponsors and exhibitors including, Travel Oregon, Department of Homeland Security, Business Oregon, ONAMI, National Science, OTRADI, Oregon Best, MIPO, Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition, Green Tape, EsnCC, Reilascent, Lockheed Martin, Norrell Design, SBDC, SBA, Rapid Made, PSU, Peter Witts CPA, SBIR Coach, Missile Defense and Jameson Company. Speakers are slated to discuss topics covering the winning formula for successful SBIR/STTR grants and trends in innovation representing companies like Intel, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northwest Grummond. Technology tracks will include speakers on biomedical/health, defense/security, energy/clean-tech, agricultural/food and much more.
For media inquiries contact:
Kedma Ough,
Chair SBIR/STTR National Conference
Tel. 503-546-8813
kedma@sbiroregon.org