The National Science Foundation’s SBIR/STTR program focuses on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit. Unlike fundamental research, the NSF SBIR/STTR program supports startups and small businesses in the creation of innovative, disruptive technologies, getting discoveries out of the lab and into the market.

During this training event, attendees will spend the morning learning about SBIR/STTR basics, including what the program funds, differences between SBIR and STTR, benefits of SBIR/STTR over other funding sources, and eligibility requirements. The discussion will then focus on NSF’s structure, mission and topic areas, developing a project plan, identifying the problem, defining feasibility/proving commercial viability, and how to approach proposal development.

Lunch will be provided during a midday session on the essentials of commercialization planning.

The afternoon session will have two components. There will be limited opportunities available to meet one-on-one with an SBIR/STTR Expert for a private discussion of projects, challenges and questions. To schedule a one-on-one meeting, please contact Christine Heflinger at cheflinger@mercy.com or 419-251-2144. For those not meeting with the consultant, there will be a one-hour SBIR/STTR budgeting webinar, which will walk attendees through the development of a well-crafted project budget that supports the work proposed.

About the Trainers:

Jerry Hollister, Principal Consultant – BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting (BBCetc)

Jerry Hollister is a BBCetc Principal Consultant, joining the company in 2017 with 30 years of leadership experience in government, higher education, non-profit and for-profit enterprises. After earning an engineering degree from the University of Michigan, he served as commissioned Naval Officer in the Civil Engineer Corps and a warranted Contracting Officer for the Dept. of Defense. Prior to joining BBCetc, Jerry was Chief Operating Officer for Michigan-based Niowave, a developer of superconducting electron accelerators, where he worked to build the successful start-up company from 2008-17. Jerry was instrumental in Niowave receiving over 45 SBIR awards. Niowave was named the 2010 SBIR/STTR Small Business of the Year by the Dept. of Energy and, in 2016, was honored with the S.B.A.’s Tibbetts Award, which recognizes the best in SBIR achievement. Before joining Niowave, Jerry served in a number of non-profit and educational roles following his honorable discharge from the Navy.

Kris Bergman, Managing Partner – BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting (BBCetc)

Kris is a Managing Partner and co-owner of BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting. Prior purchasing the company in October 2016, Kris was Principal Consultant for Grants and Contracts Management, having joined BBCetc in 2000. In addition to BBCetc’s financial and business management, Kris assists clients in preparing to receive and manage federal grant and contract funds. Kris has 30 years of experience in managing schedules, finances and organizations. Prior to joining BBCetc she owned and operated two different service startups before becoming the Global Sales Administrator or a major software development company.

About BBCetc

BBCetc is a results-driven entrepreneurial consulting group specializing in helping emerging companies to win SBIR/STTR funding and using it strategically to propel growth. Its services include training courses and one-on-one consulting in the areas of technology assessment, SBIR/STTR proposal development, commercialization planning, and grants and contracts management. https://bbcetc.com / 734.930.9741 / info@bbcetc.com / @BBC_etc

About Mercy Health

Mercy Health is part of BonSecours Mercy Health. Our combined ministry has 43 hospitals and several hundred places to recieve care, and more than 50,000 employees. Mercy Health is estimated to have over a $10 billion economic impact within the state and is partnered with NextTech, Promedica, the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University to expand innovation services and support to both innovators and entrepreneurs within the 18-county Northwest Ohio region. For more information about Mercy Health’s innovation initiatives, please contact Megan Reichert, Director of Innovation at MLReichert@mercy.com / 419-251-2114.