Lewis C. Attardo, CBA BTC Statewide Program Manager Florida SBDC Network

1. 2009 SBIR/STTRSoutheast Regional Proposal Development Workshopand ConferenceFort Myers, Florida18-19 March 2009Florida SBDC NetworkBusiness Technology Commercialization ProgramValue Proposition Lewis C. Attardo, CBA BTC Statewide Program Manager Florida SBDC Network

2. Florida Small Business Development Center Network Background Business Technology Commercialization Program Support for Innovation Lewis C. Attardo, CBA BTC Sttewide Program Manager

3. Florida SBDC Network Background • Funded in 1976 by SBA as 1 of 8 original SBDC pilot programs • Almost 100 SBDC Certified Business Analysts, supported by faculty and students • 34 centers across Florida. • Hosted by 14 Universities and Colleges

4. Florida SBDC Network Service Center Locations • 34 Centers Statewide involving: • 7 State Universities • 7 Communities Colleges • SBDC services are also provided at approximately 60 other locations, through our resource partners, including local government, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, business incubators, workforce development centers and commercial lenders. State Director’s Office Regional Centers Satellite Centers

5. FSBDCN Professional Development The Florida SBDC Network has been instrumental in the design and development of the ASBDC “Technology Core Competency Training and Certification Program.” All Florida SBDC CBAs are required to annually complete specialized technology training courses and other advanced professional development training offered by ASBDC, SSTI and other professional organizations.

6. Florida SBDC Network Business Technology Commercialization Program Created in 2003 • Leverages the capabilities of the FSBDCN to support entrepreneurs and academic researchers engaged in innovative physical and bioscience research. • Facilitates technology transfer and development, leading to the rapid commercialization of products and process by entrepreneurs. • Serves as a bridge between entrepreneurs, investor community, university researchers, federal laboratories and economic development resources.

7. Our emphasis is on the 2nd D in “R&D&D” Research and Development and Deployment Key to Phase III Rapid Commercialization and establishing market presence with version 1.0. Sell them the patches & fixes as upgrades! Don’t let them “perfect” the product before they try to sell it.

8. BTC Client Services Over 30 CBAs from the FSBDCN provide specialized support for technology clients. Technical and business resource information, guidance,mentoring and referral for manufacturing & R&D Areas of assistance: • Technology Assessments/Reviews • Intellectual Property Assessments • State of Florida Business Incentives • Secondary Market Lenders • Referral to Angel Networks (high net worth individuals) and Venture Capital Firms • Federal SBIR/STTR Funding Programs • University and Federal Laboratory Introductions

9. Partnership Development Value PropositionConnecting clients and your SBDC with networks of technology service providers and peersCreate an awareness that they do not have to go it alone…In fact, we counsel clients…DON’T GO IT ALONE!Leveraging their assets Complement Strengths & Supplement WeaknessesLessons Learned and Best Practicesfrom professionals & peers who have been there

10. Assessing tech clients networking needsWhere do they need to connect? Some Examples • Peers/B2B Networks • CEO Forums Connect with other more experienced entrepreneurs • Professional and Trade Associations Stay up to date on current trends • Universities Forums provide info on what is on the horizon • Tech Incubator Synergy with others at various stages of growth

11. Buying Selling, Trading and Joint Venturing SBDC Clients Identify best of class tech clients in our portfolio Help them to evaluate opportunities for collaboration with partners and service providers • Audit & Accounting firms IP and Corporate attorneys • Marketing Consultants Specialized Lenders • VC & Angel Investors SBIR Agency contacts • R&D Collaborators Private Analytical & Testing Labs • Universities & Federal Laboratory Consortium • Local (www.expertnet.org) or Mentor Protégé Programs through Primes • Individual and Organized Mentors (especially Serial Entrepreneurs)

12. Overview Florida Small BusinessRegulatory Advisory Council and theFlorida Office ofSmall Business Advocatewww.FloridaSBRAC.orgwww.FloridaOSBA.org

13. FL Ch. 2008-149, HB 7109 Effective July 1, 2008 • Designates the Florida SBDC Network as the principal small business assistance organization in the state • Creates the Small Business Regulatory Advisory Council • Creates the Office of Small Business Advocate Lewis.Attardo@floridasbdc.org www.floridasbdc.org/btc

14. Florida Small Business Regulatory Advisory Council www.floridaSBRAC.org • Comprised of 9 voting members who are current or former small business owners. • Council Members appointments: • 3 by the Governor • 3 by the President of the Senate • 3 by the Speaker of the House • Established, assigned to, and administratively housed within the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, which shall provide staff support to the Council Lewis.Attardo@floridasbdc.org www.floridasbdc.org/btc

15. Powers of the Council • Provide agencies with recommendations on proposed rules that may adversely affect small businesses • Consider requests from small business owners to review: • Agency rules or programs • Small business owners’ private property rights related to rules or programs adopted or implemented by an agency; • Review agency rules to determine whether the rules place an unnecessary burden on small businesses • Make recommendations to the agencies to mitigate the adverse effect(s) of rules

16. Enforcement ofCouncil’s Recommendations In accordance with FL Ch. 2008-149, HB 7109... • Each agency shall adopt the regulatory alternatives offered by the Council as long as: • The written recommendation is received within the 21 day time period • Recommendations are consistent with the stated objectives of the rule • Recommendations reduce the impact of small businesses • If an agency does not adopt all alternatives offered, it must file a written statement with the committee and provide a copy to the Council • The Council can then make a request of the Senate President and the Speaker of the House to take additional measures to evaluate their recommendations.

17. State of Florida Office of Small Business Advocate www.FloridaOSBA.org In accordance with HB 7109 the Advocate shall... • Act as staff for the Small Business Regulatory Advisory Council • Serve as principal advocate in the state on behalf of small businesses • Respond to complaints from small businesses • Participate in consideration of legislation and administrative rules affecting small business, along with performing other functions  • All state agencies are required to furnish to the Advocate any report, document, or other information that is public record and that the director of the office deems necessary to carry out its functions.

18. Thank you Lewis C. Attardo, CBA Florida SBDC Network Business Technology Commercialization Program Lewis.Attardo@floridasbdc.org www.floridasbdc.org/btc