Learn How to Get Access to More Than $870 Million in Federal Funding

Small businesses don't often get a chance to meet one-on-one with federal representatives holding huge amounts of needed cash. For the past 18 years, the annual HHS SBIR/STTR Conference gives small businesses an opportunity to do just that in the hopes they will get access to the more than $870 million these federal programs are offering in funding to qualifying small businesses.

Qualifying small businesses

Qualifying businesses include small businesses seeking to commercialize health-related technologies in the medical or life science sector. Every year, the Department of Health and Human Services Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs hold a conference where they can meet with small businesses to encourage the growth of new business based on recently developed medical and biotechnology.

Both SBIR and STTR programs are led by the National Institutes of Health, the nation's medical research agency, whose goal is to support research and programs that foster treatment and cures for common diseases. The organization wants more small businesses to get involved in helping this effort by developing new technology and discoveries that have potential for commercialization. They are offering generous financial support for qualifying small businesses who do.

Minority-owned businesses of particular interest

Of particular interest to the SBIR and STTR programs is to foster and encourage participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by women and socially and economically disadvantaged people. Many of the presentations at the upcoming conference will feature women-owned and minority-owned businesses supported by the SBIR/STTR programs.

Read more at www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/health-research-sector-small-businesses-invited-learn-about-nih-funding-national-conference

To learn more about the annual SBIR/STTR Conference, go to www.regonline.com/sbirsttrorlando.