For Immediate Release: January 18, 2005

HTDC to Host Federal Funding Workshop for Big Island Small Businesses

HONOLULU , HI -- The High Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) will host a special one-day workshop to teach Big Island small businesses how to successfully apply for federal funding through the Small Business Innovation Research program. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) workshop will take place at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Tuesday, January 25, from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

SBIR represents one of the United State’s largest sources of financing for early-stage companies interested in funding and commercializing their innovation. In 1982, U.S. Congress created the program to provide small businesses the opportunity to win federal research and development awards. By law, eleven federal agencies provide a small percent of their extramural funds for SBIR grants and contracts, currently totalling over $2 billion annually.

Ritchie Coryell, retired program manager for the National Science Foundation, SBIR program is the keynote speaker at the workshop. Other speakers include Robert Hunter, WebPatent.com; Ann Park, University of Hawaii Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development; Janice Kato, High Technology Development Corporation; and multiple SBIR grant winner and Big Island resident Neil Sims, Black Pearls Inc.

In addition to receiving crucial information on how to obtain SBIR federal funds, attendees will also have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the guest speakers.

Workshop topics include:

• How the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Can Accelerate the Development of Your Technology or Innovation
• SBIR Basics – How to Apply
• Commercializing Your SBIR Innovation
• Hawaii SBIR Assistance Program
• Partnering with the University of Hawaii: How Companies can Gain Access to UH Research and Intellectual Property
• IP Management Basics for SBIR Companies

Historically, Hawaii has been very successful in obtaining USDA SBIR awards. To date, 53 Hawaii companies have received nearly $50 million from the federal SBIR program, plus $3.5 million from HTDC's SBIR state matching grants.

The cost is $15 per person and includes workshop materials, one-on-one meetings with guest speakers, continental breakfast and lunch. For more information or to register, contact Bob Mon, HTDC, at (808) 539-3841 or e-mail sbir@htdc.org.

HTDC was established by the Hawaii State Legislature in 1983 to facilitate the development and growth of Hawaii’s commercial high technology industry and to increase revenue generation and job creation within the technology-based sector of Hawaii’s economy. HTDC provides business incubation services statewide, operates and manages three incubation facilities , provides technical assistance for small businesses participating in federal research and development funding programs, and administers the federally funded Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. For more information on HTDC, visit its website at www.htdc.org. To obtain additional information on the SBIR program, go to www.htdc.org/sbir

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For more information, contact:
Janice Kato
High Technology Development Corporation
Phone: (808) 539.3914
Email: janicek@htdc.org