Event Sponsors
The following organizations and firms have
  • understood the business value to them of participation in this Event and
  • generously provided useful support and financial contribution.
    • Transfer to Sponsor's website by clicking on their logo above.
    If you're interested in discussing a similar arrangement, please contact Event Organizers OR, for package pricing and benefits, go to the Sponsorship Opportunities page.
    Note that this event is NOT open-access.
    An invitation is required even for audience participation and
    all those wishing to make Venture Fair presentation must make application and will be subjected to a rigorous evaluative procedure.
    Organizers reserve the right to refuse registration.
    Examining the Form and Extent
    of SBIR-Venture Capital Activity
    Drawing down extensively on the comprehensive SBIR-STTR databases developed and managed by long-time SBIR advocates - the Innovation Development Institute - a detailed analysis is underway examining the extent and form of Venture Capital involvement in firms which have been/are SBIR-involved. ...more
    What is this Event about?
    The short answer, of course, is Raising Money:
    ... connecting pre-qualified SBIR Awardees with investors
    with demonstrated SBIR interested and involvement.
    But it is carefully designed to be more than that.

    Though carefully structured, working sessions this by-invitation convening of some of the very-best, growth-oriented SBIR Awardees will also directly engage those in attendance through interactive working sessions. The approach is designed to provide a quality learning experience along with substantial opportunity for personal and professional exchange.
          The     primary focus, of course, is on enabling investment among SBIR-involved firms. To that end, this Event combines the critically important activities of
    providing structured presentation opportunities to
         
  		• pre-qualified, Venture Capital-seeking SBIR Awardees - some full-blown, others more informal before
         
  		• an appropriate number of truly interested investors representing established VC Funds, Corporate VC entities and a few organized Angel Investors
    with a sophisticated learning experience enabling all those involved to get their arms around what they are doing. These Program Sessions will address the mechanics of VC, the detail of the equity-raising endeavor to include term sheet assessment and issues in valuation, along with careful consideration of the present state of VC activity in the US and how that affects choices.
    This well-rounded event is carefully designed to be useful
         
  		• to the very early-stage firm only just now seeking equity participation
         
  		• to those with some level of in-place support, seeking follow-on rounds AND
         
  		• to those engaged in the earlier stages of preparing for an apprpriate liquity event

    Documenting the SBIR- Venture Capital Connection
    Those of us who crafted of the original SBIR Model stressed the notion that the developed technology - funded through Phases I and II by the participating federal agency - would transition to the use-condition of Phase III with non-SBIR support. While by no means the only growth option, the business development aspect of effective SBIR usage has always included the notion of Venture Capital as a key resource for appropriately qualified SBIR Awardees. From the very earliest days of the program, a substantial percentage of SBIR Awardees have been in receipt of Venture Capital investment at some level - see Brass Plate graphic on this page.

    • Over the life of the program - 1983 to most recent awardees - 7.70% of all SBIR-STTR awardees have been VC-funded. This factors to a total of over 1200 companies.
    • Among currently involved SBIR Awardees - a remarkable 10.11% are VC-funded. This factors to now some 700+ firms.
    Perhaps not unexpectedly, the largest percentage of VC-funded firms have been National Institutes of Health involved - currently upwards 25 percent of that agency's awardees . However, to a far greater extent than many would probably have assumed, VC-funded firms are an important component of Awardees in every SBIR participating agency -- a condition that has characterized program operations from the very earliest days.
    Administrative notes:
    • Be aware that the facilities booked for this event can accommodate only 160-180 people in Plenary Session. Hence, once we are at capacity, registration will close.
    • Pre-registration is required. We will not permit walk-ins.
    • Assuming available space, registrations must be completed online by 12 Noon (Eastern) on Friday, March 10, 2006 at which time the system will shut-down.
    • This event is NOT open-access. An invitation is required. Organizers reserve the right to refuse registration -- and will do so!