This fall and winter the Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) ispresenting a series of free workshops for entrepreneurs and businesses aroundthe state. The sessions are geared toward those who are developing newtechnologies and would like the know-how to bring their ideas to themarketplace.Scott Holson, VtSBDC’s technology commercialization advisor, will hostseveral two-hour sessions in Springfield, St. Johnsbury, Middlebury andWinooski. He will cover topics including how to commercialize an idea, how toprotect intellectual property, and how to find out if your idea is“fundable” through a variety of grant programs.
Following the workshops, attendees can take advantage of free one-on-oneadvising in making grant submissions and looking for funding options forresearch and development.
“One of the really valuable things Scott does is to hold acommercialization lens up to a research funding proposal,” says StephenFarrington, chief scientist at Transcend Engineering and a VtSBDC client.“He helps you define and validate your market and your product, and hemakes you answer why it matters.”
Transcend has been working with the VtSBDC on a variety of grant proposals,and in the past two years has received Phase I and Phase II grants from theSmall Business Innovation Research program. “As a scientist or engineer,it’s easy to let the technological dimension of something capture all yourfocus,” Farrington says, “but Scott brings it back to the bottom line.”
“He also provides excellent coaching on how to succinctly present yourbusiness case,” he says.
The VtSBDC workshops are available thanks to a $95,000 grant from the SmallBusiness Administration’s Federal and State Technology (FAST) partnershipprogram. The grant was made possible through the support of Senator PatrickLeahy, Congressmen Peter Welch, Senator Bernie Sanders, Vermont Center forEmerging Technology, the Department of Economic Development and the VermontTech Council.
Quote from the Vermont Congressional delegation (Offices of U.S. SenatorPatrick Leahy, U.S. Representative Peter Welch and U.S. Senator BernieSanders):“The Vermont Small Business Development Center is providing outstandingassistance to entrepreneurs in Vermont who are striving to bring exciting newtechnologies to the marketplace. The FAST Program is an effectivefederal-state partnership to create jobs and advance our economy. Weencourage all interested entrepreneurs to take advantage of the greatresources available at the FAST workshops.”
VtSBDC workshops:
Thursday, Nov. 13
10 a.m. to noon
How to Protect Your Intellectual Property
Howard Dean Education Center, Room E-207
Springfield
Tuesday, Nov. 18
9 to 11 a.m.
How to Fund Your Innovation
Community College of Vermont, Room 104
Winooski
Thursday, Nov. 20
9 to 11 a.m.
How to Protect Your Intellectual Property
Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA)
36 Eastern Avenue, St. Johnsbury
Tuesday, Dec. 9
10 a.m. to noon
How to Commercialize Your Idea
Addison County Economic Development Corp.
1590 Route 7 South, Middlebury
Thursday, Dec. 11
10 a.m. to noon
How to Commercialize Your Idea
Community College of Vermont, Room 104
Winooski
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015
10 a.m. to noon
How to Protect Your Intellectual Property
Community College of Vermont, Room 104
Winooski