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Serious SBIR Awardees
If the business development aspects of your effective SBIR involvement are important to you... you may wish to consider the comprehensive
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Event Schedule: By-Day
Day 1: | Day 2: | Day 3:
    Questions, contact us by email OR by phone (781) 595-2920.
The core and focus of the ASSETs Forum is to enable and support the interaction of
Tech Seekers interested in varying types of collaboration with SBIR-involved firms
and SBIR awardees of demonstrated competencies and skills-sets.
     Making the link pre-event between the expressed Needs of Tech Seekers and the relevant technology skills-set and competencies of the SBIR awardees has been the key first-step to that end. Plenary session presentations by Tech Seekers and SBIR Awardees have driven the extensive Pre-Event activity and are at the heart of the ASSETs Forum design - see schedule below.
     Real deals and actual working relationships are part of the ASSETs achievement. This approach really does work. About a dozen transactions came out of the March 2009 event. These ranged from a substantial financial investment through to a simple lets-stay-in-touch; from an interesting three firm partnership (two large and one small) to licensing, through contract R&D opportunities to a couple of the larger firms now functioing as sub-contractor on SBIR project applications. .
     However, ensuring those collaborations actually happen and, even more critically, having them work to the mutual benefit of those involved is about much more than simply making the technology match. Therefore, built into the ASSETs Forum is a sophisticated, in-depth look at many of the related matters. Engaging leading experts in their field, participants in previous ASSETs Forums - large firm and small alike - note that these thought-provoking sessions are more than worth the price of admission in their own right.
     If you're not ready to deals yet - but feel you may have alot to learn, Observer status might serve you well!
Event Schedule
Wednesday DECEMBER 9, 2009
Time Session Title and Description
11:15 AM
Registration and Package Pick-up
Luncheon is served: As a courtesy to participants who will have traveled in and may not have had time to get lunch, a simple make-your-own sandwich buffet is set up in the second floor Rotunda area.
12:30 PM

Conference begins:
Welcoming remarks

This later than usual start is designed to ease travel arrangements, limit the extent of out-of-office time and incurred accommodation costs.
12:40 PM Reviewing the ASSETs Forum Agenda:
why this approach may be more important than ever
Speaker/
Discussants		 Ann Eskesen, Innovation Development Institute Format: Context setting presentation
Long before the turmoil and imploding of financial markets and the blunt force of the recession hit, there was clear evidence that structural changes had been occurring in the economy - radically changing the context in which the SBIR program and SBIR-involved firms function. Those who have responded to those changes - sometimes without perhaps understanding what they were - are likely to survive present conditions, maybe even coming out stronger. Others may well need to shift how they think about what they're doing. Far more SBIR awardees than many may think appear to be in serious trouble
     This deliberately thought provoking session will examine some of these issues and set the stage for this Fifth ASSETs Forum.
1:05 PM Supporting and encouraging strategic alliances and partnering: NSF matching grants
Speaker/
Discussants		 T James Rudd, National Science Foundation Format: presentation
The National Science Foundation (NSF) was the first federal agency to have instituted in 1977 a small business focused effort that became the pilot for the SBIR program. The agency's approach to SBIR has always had strong emphasis on getting Awardees to in-use condition.
     Recognizing the critical role partnering often has in that regard, NSF offers a program explicitly designed to encourage and support external investment in their awardees and the development of strategic alliances.
1:30 PM What the Capital Shakeout Means for Innovators
Speaker/
Discussants		 Matthew Nordan, Venrock Format: presentation
Venture capital funding could shrink by half or more in the course of the next few years -- even as the technologies that need investment the most, in fields like energy and life sciences, pose much greater capital intensity requirements than the software and Internet innovations of an earlier decade.
     How will innovators navigate this new landscape?
     Offered by an associate to one of the longest established and most well-known VC firms with investment in FIFTY SBIR awardees - almost 10% of their portfolio - this presentation will lay out several scenarios for the future, some mutually incompatible -- to spark discussion.
2:00 PM Examining the Open Innovation concept: adoption and implementation in differing industry segments and by different firms
Speaker/
Discussants		 Charles J. Brez, formerly NineSigma, Inc
Alan Ayers, Strategic Innovation Group, LLC and IDCC
As many of the Tech Seekers in attendance as are willing to participate		 Format: Talk Show - interactive discussion
"Open innovation ... assumes that firms can and should use external ideas as well as internal ideas, and internal and external paths to market, as the firms look to advance their technology". Henry Chesborough. Open Innovation: the new imperative for creating and profiting from technology. Harvard Business School Press 2003.
     Variously interpreted and in often widely different ways, the term Open Innovation has entered the business lexicon to mean that almost all corporations at some level have to work from the assumption that the closed systems which for so long described business operations are no longer viable. Implicit in the concept of Open Innovation is the idea that few can sustain operations and even less achieve growth based entirely on internally created capabilities. They will collaborate with others. How they do that - and why - varies enormously between companies large and small and will be examined in this working session.
     Of particular focus in this context will be consideration of how this plays out in the often disruptive, research space and how that involves working relationships betwen the larger firms in their role as Tech Seeker and SBIR awardees.
2:50 PM Refreshment break
3:10 PM Validate or develop?
Speaker/
Discussants		 Chris Hartshorn, Lux Research Format: Context setting analysis
The challenge facing developers of new technologies today is that major growth opportunities are often heavily weighted in what are traditionally slow adopting industries. In this very focused session, consideration will be to how to find the funding and to identify the partners who will to speed deployment and development, rather than those that can accelerate technology straight into the chasm.
3:20 PM After the Ink Dries: What elements to consider about implementation while negotiating the deal
Speaker/
Discussants		 Janice Twombly, The Rhythm of Business Inc Format: Context setting analysis
Creating value through strategic alliances and other collaborative relationships fundamentally depends on successfully implementing the deal. Too often, those involved in the pre-deal negotiating process lose sight of this and don't focus enough attention on "living the deal."
     Offered by a Certified Strategic Alliance Professional, and as applicable to large as to small firms, this session will introduce five keys to implementation success that should be considered when in the negotiation process.
     In a context where more than half of strategic alliances and other collaborations fail to achieve their intended outcomes, increase your chances of creating real value from collaboration by applying the lessons learned by strategic alliance professionals
3:45 PM First set of In-A-Nutshell Presentations
Offered at various times throughout the Forum, these are 5-minute presentations by SBIR Awardees synopsizing the Capability Statement of the firm. Those exercising this option had pre-event opportunity to select their time slot.
   In alphabetical order, the submitted Nutshells from all presenting firms are on the Event CD which is included in the Event Package. See Green Sheet in your package for that alphabetized listing. Materials for some selected Nutshell presenters who cannot be present are also included.
Time allocations will be strictly enforced
Timekeeper:
     Scott Silva, Innovation Development Institute,
Presenting firms in order:
     PJ Piper, QM Power, Inc, Boston, MA
     Kevin James Burns, Precision Combustion, North Haven, CT
     Frank Turano, Plant Sensory Systems LLC., Baltimore, MD
     David Rauh, EIC Laboratories Inc, Norwood, MA
     Michael Serio, Advanced Fuel Research, Inc., East Hartford, CT
4:15 PM SBIR at a Crossroads: examining SBIR as a powerful and effective technology and business development resource. Is the primary SBIR achievement now behind us?
Speaker/
Discussants		 Ann Eskesen, Innovation Development Institute, Format: Context-Setting presentation
With some 18,300 SBIR Awardees - including many now-famous names - and a total of over 85,000 Awards having been funded to a total of $28Bn in every field of technological endeavor, and with an in-place portfolio community-wide of over 71,000 issued US patents, SBIR can rightfully be considered a mature and effective program.
     However, even before the onset of current economic conditions, the world in which the SBIR program itself now operates is a very different place from that in which this important technology development program was conceived. How the program is managed, and who the SBIR community now are has changed in sometimes subtle but very evident ways.
     Examining these changes, the issue may have become: can the record of achievement that has for long defined SBIR be sustained. Can much of the potential be realized on any systematic basis?
     This deliberately thought-provoking, analytical session will examine the nature of those changes and, to set the conference in context, consider some of the implications
5:00 PM SBIR Reauthorization: an update
Speaker/
Discussants		 Jere W. Glover, Small Business Technology Counsel & Brand Law Group, Washington DC
Other invited players active in the political space to be confirmed 		Format: presentation followed by open discussion
The SBIR enabling legislation ran out on September 30, 2008 (not a typo) and the program has been kept operational by a series of political manoeuverings and Continuing Resolutions. Several months apart earlier this year, the House and the Senate passed SBIR Reauthorization bills that share almost no common ground leaving the prospects for any reconciliation not at all apparent.
     A conference committee convened in the Summer 2009 to address this matter has been unable to reach any agreement. This extended and fractious political battle leaves prospects for program continuance as we have so long known it, it hanging by a thread.
5:45 PM Gala Reception: Open Bar
7:15 PM Addressing the challenges implicit in "Last Mile" selections: How to optimize identification and marketing to foremost end-customers and build a supportive roadmap strategy?
Speaker/
Discussants		 Presenter: Ralph Russo, Strategic Polymer Sciences Inc, State College, PA
Moderator: Lawrence Nannis, Levine, Katz, Nannis and Solomon, PC
Discussants:
James R. Freedman MIT Technology Licensing Office
Ronald E. Cahill Nutter, McClennen & Fish LLP
Chris Hartshorn Lux Research
Barry Unger Boston University 		Format: Business Development Clinic
It is our standard practice on the first evening of an ASSETs Forum to schedule a Live Case featuring an SBIR Awardee currently tackling business development issues that have implications for the broader SBIR community - our version, if you like of the well-tried MIT Enterprise Forum format.
     This session will feature a firm that has been effectively SBIR involved, and has developed a significant diversity of technology competencies. Current management are tackling the always challenging issues related to transitioning some of those technologies across the oft referred to "Valley of Death". - that period after Phase II in SBIR (or the larger firm equivalent) during which access to resources is problematic.
     In advance of the Clinic, management will have provided copies of their White Paper to a carefully selected group of experts who will serve as their panel and advisors. This paper will address issues with which the firm is currently dealing and into which they are seeking input.
     At the event, following a brief overview presentation by the firm referencing aspects of those concerns, the panel will provide their professional advice and counsel. Audience participation is anticipated.
8:30 PM Day's program Concludes
Thursday DECEMBER 10, 2009
Time Session Title
7:00 AM Enhanced Continental Breakfast
8:15 AM Rights to government-funded inventions made under rules governing the SBIR-STTR programs: issues involved in effecting full transferability of those rights
Speaker/
Discussants		 Jacob (Jesse) N. Erlich, Burns & Levinson, LLP Format: presentation
Involving the former Chief Patent Advisor to the United States Air Force now in private practice, this presentation addresses the important issue of ownership rights on subject inventions as involved SBIR-STTR awards. Carefully considered will be the detail of differentiating between ownership rights which accrue to the Awardee and those held by the government. Distinguishing between inventions which come out of what the government funded versus those development using other resources, the emphasis will be on how to identify and to protect ownership of those critical elements which fall outside the scope of the SBIR-STTR award effort.
8:45 AM Effective Communications in Technology Transfer
Speaker/
Discussants		 Charles J. Brez, Charles Brez & Associates formerly NineSigma Format: analytical presentation
Offered by someone exquisitely experienced in this space from years as VP at NineSigma, this session will address the practical issues addressed by both parties to any deal - Tech Seeker and small firm provider alike - in being able to describe accurately efficiently and effectively their wants and their capabilities.
     Presentation will describe best practices for those involved to navigate the communication highway providing the best chance of successfully connecting with each other.
9:10 AM Conducting an IP Audit: linking IP to the value it creates
Speaker/
Discussants		 Mildred Hastbacka, TIAX, LLC (formerly Arthur D. Little) Format: presentation
9:20 AM Terms of the Deal: issues in valuation and negotiation
Speaker/
Discussants		 Joseph J. Cote, Jr, Cote Associates Format: presentation
SBIR firms are inherently knowledge-based. In any deal making situation, therefore, the essence of the firm is its IP. Having taken considerable time, effort and resources to create, there is often a strong sense of personal connection to what the firm has. In the business condition of making deals around those assets, the challenge can become that of striking a balance between meeting
  • the capital requirements of the asset owner
  • the commercial expectations for the assets
  • and the expectations of risks to be assumed and rewards to be captured by each party.
         Where the parties involved in making this deal are of majorly different scale and resource access - large and small firms - a complicating factor in the negotiating process may often be that of information asymmetries. Where one party to the deal is more knowledgeable than the other, that can put the other less-informed (and often less experienced) party at a serious disadvantage. This can leave parties concerned about whether they are leaving too much on the table or, conversely, are taking an unreasonably aggressive position.
         For both parties to any transaction, diligent preparation can be invaluable. Such efforts would include
  • identification of the key value drivers for both parties
  • research into establishing reasonable and supportable bounds of these value drivers
  • understanding comparable deals
  • identification and quantification of the risks borne by each party
         Considered together, these factors can all be used to develop flexible valuation models that, in turn, can become powerful tools during negotiations.
         This session will introduce some of the basic valuation concepts and methods. The effort will be to demonstrate how flexible valuation models and internal term sheets can help steer negotiations towards a win-win deal.
    		•
    9:40 AM Second set of In-A-Nutshell Presentations
    Offered at various times throughout the Forum, these are 5-minute presentations by SBIR Awardees synopsizing the Capability Statement of the firm. Those exercising this option had pre-event opportunity to select their time slot.
       In alphabetical order, the submitted Nutshells from all presenting firms are on the Event CD which is included in the Event Package. See Green Sheet in your package for that alphabetized listing. Materials for some selected Nutshell presenters who cannot be present are also included.
    Time allocations will be strictly enforced
    Timekeeper:
         Scott Silva, Innovation Development Institute,
    Presenting firms in order:
         Mark Druy, Physical Sciences, Inc, Andover, MA
         Olga Koper, NanoScale Corporation, Manhatten, KS
         David Murotake, SCA Technica Inc, Nashua, NH
         Jin Zhao, Novarials Technology, Nashua, NH
         Daniel T. Carraway, DaniMer Scientific LLC, Bainbridge, GA
         Available slot, SBIR firm, Anytown, US
    10:10 AM Refreshment Break
    10:30 AM Tech Seekers Overviews: addressing technical needs through effective SBIR relationships
    Speaker/
    Discussants    		 Knot Shrikant, The Dow Chemical Company
    Stewart Mehlman, Praxair, Inc
    Tim Cusak, FMC Agriculture
    J. Michael Cameron,, The Sherwin Williams Company     		Format: Individual presentations
    Each of the participating Tech Seekers in full Technology Opportunity Project mode (TOPs) is allocated approximately FIFTEEN-TWENTY minutes on the podium in Plenary Session to overview their interest in the SBIR ASSETs approach.

    With the focus on their technical areas of collaborative interest, they have been asked to provide very brief indication of the type(s) of working relationship they anticipate might be put into effect. More extensive discussion to these process-related issues will likely be covered in scheduled breakout sessions
    11:30 AM Concurrent Tech Seeker Breakouts
    Every Forum participant SBIR awardee is permitted to sit in on, and participate fully in any Breakout of interest. Each Tech Seeker will make their own determination as to how their particular session(s) is organized but experience suggests that most discussions organize around issues of process - types of working relationship, how decisions are made; handling of IP - that brought to the table as well as that developed during conduct of project.
    Breakout I.A: The Dow Chemical Company Breakout I.B: Praxair, Inc Breakout I.C: FMC Agriculture Breakout I.D: The Sherwin Williams Company
    During this period which engages the particular group of Tech Seekers having just made Plenary Session presentation, one-on-one sessions with those Tech Seekers not engaged in these breakouts will be scheduled
    12:15 PM Luncheon: buffet style set up in Rotunda Seating: John Hancock Room
    12:55 PM After Lunch Working Discussion:

    What is it worth? ...well it depends
    Speaker/
    Discussants    		 Facilitators:
    Barry Unger, Boston University
    Alan Ayers, , Strategic Innovation Group (invited - not confirmed)    		 Format: case study
    Involving everyone in attendance, using a simple case-study approach, the effort here is to open up the discussion less to answer the question of "what is it worth" but instead to give a sense of just how broad-ranging and diverse are the factors which enter into determining value. Many more questions than answers
    1:30 PM Crafting a winning strategic partnership: using Technology Adoption Life Cycle concepts to better plan, develop and execute a joint strategy
    Speaker/
    Discussants    		 Mark Cavender, Chasm Institute, LLC Format: presentation
    Offered by the Founder and Managing Director of the Chasm Institute LLC, this session is solidly grounded in the seminal, best-selling books on this critical area of business development written by the former head of The Chasm Group, Geoffrey Moore - the first, and perhaps most famous being, Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling High-tech Products to Mainstream Customers (1991, revised 1999).
         Partnering between companies is time-honored, but what appears rosy in the courtship stage can get ugly if not done correctly. In this session, Mark Cavender will present proven high-tech market development concepts to ensure that both companies get partnering right
    1:55 PM Doing Your Own Due Diligence to Put a Value on Your Intellectual Property.
    Speaker/
    Discussants    		 Ronald E. Cahill, Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLC Format: Analytical Presentation
    A look at the techniques that Tech Seekers use to evaluate your Intellectual Property and how those techniques can inform (1) the development of your IP, and perhaps more immediately, (2) how and where to sell or license it in order to maximize the value you get back from your investment in it.
    2:25 PM Nanomaterials: examining the state of the market
    Speaker/
    Discussants    		 Chris Hartshorn, Lux Research, Inc Format: Analytical Presentation
    From electronics to energy, materials to medicine, and chemicals to cleantech, industry is turning to nanotechnology for breakthrough product innovations. To feed the need, a sophisticated ecosystem of large corporations, academic labs, government-funded research centers, technology incubators and start-ups now exists that are variously involved, often collaborating on technology development. Making sense of this.
    2:40 PM Third set of In-A-Nutshell Presentations
    Offered at various times throughout the Forum, these are 5-minute presentations by SBIR Awardees synopsizing the Capability Statement of the firm. Those exercising this option had pre-event opportunity to select their time slot.
       In alphabetical order, the submitted Nutshells from all presenting firms are on the Event CD which is included in the Event Package. See Green Sheet in your package for that alphabetized listing. Materials for some selected Nutshell presenters who cannot be present are also included.
    Time allocations will be strictly enforced
    Timekeeper:
         Scott Silva, Innovation Development Institute,
    Presenting firms in order:
         Mike Usey, PlastiPure Inc, Austin TX
         Claudio Oliveira Egalon, Science & Sensors Technologies, Segundo, CA
         Tom Whitaker, Atom Sciences Inc, Oak Ridge, TN
         Paul Rehrig, Strategic Polymer Sciences Inc, State College, PA
         David Mead, C56 Technologies, Middleton, WI
    3:10 PM Refreshment break
    3:30 PM Tech Seekers Overviews: addressing technical needs through effective SBIR relationships
    Speaker/
    Discussants    		 Jeff McAulay, Fraunhofer USA
    Michael T. Hyzny, Dupont
    Antonio J. Aldykiewicz, W.R. Grace & Co.
    David Sikora, Chemtura Corporation    		 Format: Individual presentations
    Each participating Tech Seekers in full Technology Opportunity Project mode (TOPs) is allocated approximately TWENTY minutes on the podium in Plenary Session to overview their interest in the SBIR ASSETs approach.

    With the focus on their technical areas of collaborative interest, each has been asked to provide very brief indication of the type(s) of working relationship they anticipate might be put into effect. More extensive discussion to these issues is expected to be covered in scheduled break-out sessions.
    4:50 PM Concurrent Tech Seeker Breakouts
    Every Forum participant SBIR awardee is permitted to sit in on, and participate fully in any Breakout of interest. Each Tech Seeker will make their own determination as to how their particular session(s) is organized but experience suggests that most discussions organize around issues of process - types of working relationship, how decisions are made; handling of IP - that brought to the table as well as that developed during conduct of project.
    Breakout II.A: Fraunhofer USA Breakout II.B: Dupont Breakout II.C: W. R. Grace & Co. Breakout II.D: Chemtura Corporation
    During this period which engages the particular group of Tech Seekers having just made Plenary Session presentation, one-on-one sessions with those Tech Seekers not engaged in these breakouts will be scheduled
    5:30 PM Networking reception
    Day's Formal Program Concludes
    Friday DECEMBER 11, 2009
    Time Session Title
    7:00 AM Enhanced Continental Breakfast
    8:15 AM Bridging the Gap: building symbiotic relationships between SBIR-involved firms and larger corporations
    Speaker/
    Discussants    		 Joanne Hyland, Radical Innovations Group Format: analytical presentation
    Offered by a former VP at Nortel Networks in which capacity she developed the firm's very effective Innovation Hub which spun out 12 start-ups, this thought provoking sessions examines the fact that SBIR funded companies and larger firms are at totally different phases in their organizational existence - and what that means when they try to work together.
  • The smaller, younger firms seek to transition from the condition of technology development to one of commercial success. Yet, they usually lack the scalability to grow into a stand-alone business.
  • For their part, larger firms are focused on protecting and growing their existing market and customer base. It is often the case that technologies being developed by the smaller firm may in fact disrupt what exists. Yet, the very survival of the large firms may depend on their ability to embrace a more open innovation model.

    There-in lies the fundamental dilemma - the large gap that exists between the entrepreneurial model required for a technology start up and the efficient systems in place in a larger, more established firm to support the status quo.

    Learning how to develop and nurture a symbiotic relationship is becoming increasingly critical for both sides of the technology equa tion. This session will focus on answering the following questions:

  • What are the cultural differences that need to be understood?
  • Why do larger firms need different management practices for an open innovation model?
  • How do companies manage conflicting objectives and expectations regarding performance, time and risk?
  • How does a SBIR company effectively communicate the value of the company to attract the attention of a larger firm?
  • How does a SBIR company identify potential market applications for a novel technology to increase its commercial appeal?
  • What are the right questions larger firms should be asking to deter mine business potential?
  • How do two dissimilar organizations learn to communicate ann work effectively together?
    • This third day of the Forum will carry through on many of the same themes which define the ASSET system - specifically, enabling effective working relationships between those in large and mid-sized firms (Tech Seekers) interested in collaborative relationships with SBIR awardees with relevant and demonstrated skill sets and capabilities.
         This Fifth Annual ASSETs Forum, however, for the first time also introduces a new concept by which technology-based small firms can generate useful revenue stream(s).
    Specifically, the activity of Intellectual Property (IP) Trading is given focus with particular emphasis for SBIR firms on trading non-core assets.
    8:45 AM Intellectual property: the essence of a knowledge-based economy. Examining the SBIR achievement in this context.
    Speaker/
    Discussants    		 Ann Eskesen, Innovation Development Institute Format: analytical presentation
    Collectively, SBIR-involved firm are by far the largest concentration of technical talent - employing almost three times as many graduate engineers and scientists as all US academic institutions together. Not unexpectedly, therefore, SBIR awardees are prolific creators of intellectual capital. This presentation examines the impressive SBIR patent track record in the context of an innovation based economy
         The session also discusses a recent-launched IP-Trading initiative with particular focus to effective monetization of the extensive non-core IP held by SBIR awardees. While most major and mid-sized business entities are actively engaged in drawing down the value of some part of their un-used and underutilized IP, small firms are almost never are doing this. Briefly considered will be why - and what is being done to change that.
    9:20 AM Tackling the process of patent evaluation and technical review: tools for the job
    Speaker/
    Discussants    		 Larry Gess, TAEUS International Corporation Format: demonstration
    With a primary focus on supporting effective monetization of the IP holdings held by those in the SBIR community, in collaboration with idi TAEUS International has developed a very effective data-driven analytical system that inexpensively supports the process of patent evaluation and technical review. A long-time established, engineering based intellectual property service firm with offices worldwide.
         This presentation will discuss the elements which go into this type of report-generating tool, the type of usable information that it makes available and how such analyses are being used.
    9:45 AM Licensing In: federal agencies as a source of valuable IP
    Speaker/
    Discussants    		 Moderator:
    Jesse Erlich,     Burns & Levinson, LLP
    Discussants:
    Rochelle S. Blaustein,     US Department of Energy (formerly NIH)
    Paul Mele, US Department of Army; Medical Research and Materiel    		 Format: Panel presentation
    Much of the focus to this point has been to IP transfer primarily from the small firm to the larger. In fact, as part of their own process of monetizing their surplus IP, an increasing number of Tech Seekers are also using some of their surplus IP as currency to trade with - establishing working relationships to small firms of interest by making available to them at low/no-cost some of their own small-market surplus IP.
         In this session, however, the particular focus is on available IP from federal sources. Focused particularly to the US Army and the Medical Research and Materiels activity therein, and to the US Department of Energy - but also, to some extent, NIH where one panelist was previously engaged, this session will examine accessing valuable technology from federal sources.
         Not previously having very often engaged the attention of small firms, this type of effort can be a very cost-effective and timely manner whereby to get to an improved product value proposition.
    10:15 AM Fourth set of In-A-Nutshell Presentations
    Offered at various times throughout the Forum, these are 5-minute presentations by SBIR Awardees synopsizing the Capability Statement of the firm. Those exercising this option had pre-event opportunity to select their time slot.
       In alphabetical order, the submitted Nutshells from all presenting firms are on the Event CD which is included in the Event Package. See Green Sheet in your package for that alphabetized listing. Materials for some selected Nutshell presenters who cannot be present are also included.
    Time allocations will be strictly enforced
    Timekeeper:
         Scott Silva, Innovation Development Institute,
    Presenting firms in order:
    Phyllis Siegel, Biomedical Development Corporation, San Antonio, TX
         Martin Waters, Radiation Monitoring Devices, Watertown, MA
         Available slot, SBIR firm, Anytown, US
         Available slot, SBIR firm, Anytown, US
         Available slot, SBIR firm, Anytown, US
    10:45 AM Refreshment Break
    11:05 AM Tech Seekers Overviews: addressing technical needs through effective SBIR relationships
    Speaker/
    Discussants    		 Clara Asmail, NIST SBIR Program manager
    Caryn Oryniak, Church & Dwight
    Any other attending Tech Seekers    		 Format: Individual presentations
    Each of the participating Tech Seekers in full Technology Opportunity Project mode (TOPs) is allocated approximately FIFTEEN-TWENTY minutes on the podium in Plenary Session to overview their interest in the SBIR ASSETs approach.
         With the focus on their technical areas of collaborative interest, they have been asked to provide very brief indication of the type(s) of working relationship they anticipate might be put into effect. More extensive discussion to these process-related issues is expected to be covered in scheduled break-out sessions
    11:45 AM Concurrent Tech Seeker Breakouts
    Every Forum participant SBIR awardee is permitted to sit in on, and participate fully in any Breakout of interest. Each Tech Seeker will make their own determination as to how their particular session(s) is organized but experience suggests that most discussions organize around issues of process - types of working relationship, how decisions are made; handling of IP - that brought to the table as well as that developed during conduct of project.
    Breakout III.A: Church & Dwight Breakout III.B: NIST
    During this period which engages the particular group of Tech Seekers having just made Plenary Session presentation, one-on-one sessions with those Tech Seekers not engaged in these breakouts will be scheduled
    12:30 PM Luncheon: buffet style set up in Rotunda
    Seating: John Hancock Room
    Formally structured part of the ASSETs Forum concludes after lunch
    1:00 PM After-Lunch working session addressing:
    Implementation of the non-core IP trading program:
    What is this about? How does it work?
    Speaker/
    Discussants    		 Format: presentation
    During the planning process in the late Spring for this new segment of the ASSETs Forum, the original intent had been for a number of SBIR awardees interested in taking advantage of the non-core IP Trading System to have been given opportunity for presentation of what they were putting up for sale.
         The level of interest in Monetizing surplus non-core IP in the manner set up is considerable. For many SBIR awardees, the dollars involved - effectively almost all found-money - are potentially substantial. At a time when SBIR award numbers are declining, sales revenues are not what they were, and other working capital is seriously hard to come by, the idea of found-money was bound to get some attention.
         The first few projects are underway and the pipeline is filling but far fewer SBIR awardees are yet willing to take the stand than we had hoped. Therefore, instead of presentations and small-scale auction, we are using the time in something akin to focus-group manner to
  • answer your questions
  • and, very important, invite your input
         The approach (and opportunity) is new and very different. There are lots of questions - and, frankly - we don't yet have all the answers. Though - as will be described - involving technology transfer players of considerable experience, they too acknowledge that the system is still evolving.
         Perhaps in some measure this is not not unlike the early days when we were on the road selling the highly controversial notion of a small business program called SBIR. There are some who were early adopters... but others preferred to watch from the sidelines.
    Which are you?
    Anyone whose schedule permits is invited
    to participate in this working session
    		•