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in this issue SBDC News & Information Centers Respond to Growing Concerns about Economic Conditions Bright Ideas: Energy-Saving Upgrades Pay Off for University of Scranton SBDC Client If the Weak Dollar is Hurting You, Exporting May Be the Answer Consultant Profile: Todd Dolbin Penn State SBDC Workshop Examines Business Opportunities in a Challenging Economy Small Business Institute Positions Northeastern PA Business Owners for Success Full Steam Ahead: Brookville Equipment Corporation Celebrates Long-Term Success Capitol Views: Congressman Jason Altmire Veteran Builds Rock-Solid Business with Wilkes University SBDC Help Educational Programs |
University of Pittsburgh SBDC Bolsters Region’s Growing Tech Community
With some of the nation’s most innovative companies – including Apple, Google, and Intel – now situated in the heart of Pittsburgh, entrepreneurs in southwestern Pennsylvania can draw on a certain energy pulsing throughout the region. To secure financing, commercialize innovations and build successful businesses, however, these pioneering individuals must also have access to business support and entrepreneurial expertise. The University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center (SBDC) plays a critical role in bridging the resources of the region’s universities, business communities and economic development partners. The SBDC’s technology commercialization assistance provides support to start-ups in each of three critical stages: attracting seed funding for an innovation, completing research and establishing proper business structures after receiving federal grants and commercializing an established, researched technology. Robotics Engineering Excellence, Inc. (re2, Inc.), for instance, has frequently turned to the Pitt SBDC for assistance identifying and applying for Federal Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) grants. re2, Inc., which spun off from research developed in the Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute, specializes in agile defense robotics with an emphasis on Joint Architecture for Unmanned Systems (JAUS) software development and unmanned systems components. Led by Jorgen and Jessica Pedersen, the company has positioned itself as a key player in the JAUS community, secured a position as a defense subcontractor and contributed to the development of mobile robotic technologies for a variety of military and national defense organizations. |
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JAUS compliance is often an issue for organizations dealing in intelligent manipulation systems, and re2, Inc.’s expertise in this area makes the business a very attractive subcontractor to the defense sector. The business has already found great success in attracting seed money, having worked with the SBDC over the past four years to secure three Phase I and two Phase II SBIR grants totaling $1.8 million, as well as several Innovation Partnership grants (a consortium of economic development organizations cofounded by the Pennsylvania SBDCs to help early stage technology companies). Showing steady growth since its establishment, re2, Inc. currently employs 14 people and enjoys consistent annual revenues. Greg Rice, a Pitt SBDC technology and management consultant, helped the business identify a National Science Foundation SBIR grant that matches re2, Inc.’s areas of expertise. Having recently served on a National Science Foundation SBIR/STTR grant review panel, Rice is able to offer additional insight into the application process and connect the business with important decision makers within the agency who can provide valuable insight into which criteria may resonate most with the investors. “The SBIR/STTR programs provide real opportunities to small businesses to fund R&D, and that has the potential to lead to tremendous rewards down the line,” Rice explained. “What we do at the SBDC is help companies leverage those dollars to build potentially great companies that then stay in the region and add to the local economy.” Rao Mandava, president and CEO of a Pittsburgh Intelligent Logistics Solutions company called Inteligistics, may well be the next example. Mandava has worked extensively with Rice and the Pitt SBDC throughout the establishment and growth of his business. To learn more about technology commercialization, visit www.pasbdc.org/technology.
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