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For more information contact mark.a.kinders@uwrf.edu or brenda.k.bredahl@uwrf.edu.

Wisconsin Entrepreneur's Network Sponsor Federal Funding Workshop

JULY 20, 2007--The Wisconsin Entrepreneur's Network is hosting a free Small Business Innovation Research workshop, "Staying Competitive through Innovation," from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Wednesday, Aug. 15 at the University Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

The workshop will explore leveraging both federal SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. These federally funded programs support research and development efforts among educational institutions, companies, federal laboratories and industry-specific associations.   

Individuals in need of research and development capital, people involved in technology-based companies looking to commercialize products, and those with technology-based innovative ideas in need of testing, prototype development or university collaborations are encouraged to attend the workshop.

"Both SBIR and STTR are great programs to help fund cutting-edge research and development efforts and could potentially also result in new intellectual property (IP) for a company," said Pat Dillon, who is WEN northwest regional director and will lead the workshop with Maliyakal John, WiSys managing director. "What we're also trying to do is introduce small business to the valuable tech transfer opportunities available through WARF and WiSys."

This year, approximately $2.2 billion was allocated by the federal government for SBIR and STTR funding. Since 1983, Wisconsin's technology-based businesses have been awarded more than $163 million in SBIR and STTR funding.

Dillon previously served as the executive director of Minnesota Project Innovation, Inc., where she consulted with hundreds of companies regarding the SBIR and STTR programs. Dillon's efforts resulted in more than 30 early stage and emerging high technology companies to receive more than $20 million in research awards.

To preregister for this free workshop or for more information, contact Pat Dillon at 715-836-5056 or email dillonp@uwec.edu . For more information about the WEN, visit http://www.wenportal.org/ . For directions to UW-River Falls, visit http://sa.uwrf.edu/sa/places/places/university-center .

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Last updated: Friday, 20-Jul-2007 14:44:52 CDT