preparing for an effective one-on-one meeting

2016 SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR)

NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL SUMMIT

Preparing for an effective

One-on-One meeting

Quad Charts and Questions

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Unique Opportunity• Guidance provided by

a knowledgeable

person

• Focus your effort on

best opportunity

• Minimize false starts

• Understand the

timeline

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Timeline – near term opportunitiesAGENCY Topics and/or Solicitation Release Date

Department of Defense Pre-Release November 29, 2017 (Both SBIR and STTR)http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sbir/solicitations/index.shtml

Department of Education Usually released in Januaryhttps://ies.ed.gov/ncer/projects/program.asp?ProgID=20

Department of Energy Topics released October 30, 2017 (Both SBIR and STTR)https://science.energy.gov/sbir/funding-opportunities/

Department of Transportation Topics usually released in the FallSee last year’s solicitation https://www.volpe.dot.gov/work-with-us/small-business-innovation-

research/past-solicitations-and-awards

Health and Human Services Multiple submission dates throughout the year. The next is January, 2018 (SBIR and SST) https://sbir.nih.gov/funding#omni-sbir

National Science Foundation Next solicitation will be released in September, 2017 (Both SBIR and STTR)https://seedfund.nsf.gov/apply/

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Usually released in November (Both SBIR and STTR)See last year’s solicitation https://sbir.nasa.gov/solicitations

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Usually released in OctoberSee last year’s solicitation https://sbir.nasa.gov/solicitations

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http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sbir/solicitations/index.shtml



What to accomplish in 15 minutes….– Introduce yourself /research interests

– Demonstrate that you have reviewed current

or most recent solicitation

– Learn if a specific topic is potentially a good fit

– Ask what next steps they would recommend

– Ask what mistake most new applicants make

– so that you can avoid making the same one

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Preparation • Before conference

review SBIR/STTR

On-Line Tutorials

– Contracts vs. Grants

– Finding a Topic

– Agency Introductions

– Agency Solicitations

• Website– https://www.sbir.gov/tutorials

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https://www.sbir.gov/tutorials




• Designed to provide

you with pivotal

information quickly

• Accommodates

different learning

styles

• Check out the brief

videos

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Agency Intros• Each agency has a

unique culture

• Program

implementation varies

• World of acronyms

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Complete a quad chart– A quad chart is a 1 page document commonly

used for government presentations

– Keeps introduction brief; good leave behind

– Prepare a one-page quad chart that

introduces you and your firm

– Spend no more than 5 minutes discussing it

– Prepare a list of agency questions

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TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTTechnology/Research Overview: The team has developed a method to

reduce triglycerides; improve glucose tolerance; and reduce weight using

an adult stem cell technology platform

Intellectual Property Protection: Two issued patents and one patent

pending

Stage of Development: Basic research

Value Proposition: Can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease for

those that cannot treat this syndrome with exercise.

.

COMPANY INTRODUCTIONMission: To improve patient outcomes by transforming great science into

actionable solutions for the treatment of metabolic diseases.

Founded: 2005

Number of Employees: 20

Facility Description: We are currently developing this method in a

laboratory located at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Product Sales: None to date

RESEARCH NEEDSeeking funding to test this platform on diabetes, high blood pressure,

and abnormal cholesterol levels.

OPPORTUNITYNeed/Problem: Metabolic syndrome is becoming increasingly common

due to a rise in obesity rates among adults. In the future metabolic

syndrome may overtake smoking as the leading risk factor for heart

disease.

Target Customer: About 32% of people in USA are considered to suffer

from metabolic syndrome, with the risk increasing with age (e.g., 40% of

people aged between 40 and 60 are considered to suffer from this

syndrome).

Market Opportunity: Our technology aims to address the rise in obesity

rates in order to reduce the risk of a debilitating stroke or myocardial

infarction.

Company: State: Name: Email: Phone:



Generate Questions

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AGENCY NAME Questions to ask



Listen• Ask questions and

listen

• At least half of

meeting should be

with the agency

person providing you

with information

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Was your meeting successful?• Yes…

– You will have gained insight into whether or

not a specific topic is good for you

– The questions you prepared in advance will

have been answered

– You will walk away with lessons learned

regarding mistakes that others have made in

proposal preparation

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preparing for an effective one-on-one meeting

Documents