HTDC to Host SBIR National Road Tour

Hawaii Last Stop for Nationwide Outreach Effort for Federal Funding Opportunities

HONOLULU – Calling all local entrepreneurs, researchers, and small technology firms to participate in a two-day conference, hosted by the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, on Sept. 18 – 19, 2017, at the Waikiki Beach Marriott.

HTDC is hosting the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) National Road Tour, providing companies a unique opportunity to meet directly with federal funding program managers and discuss their technology products. Hawaii is the last stop of the 11-state outreach efforts to promote and discuss the federal funding opportunities provided through the SBIR program.

“Hawaii is just one of just 15 stops on this national road tour, which speaks volumes of our state’s reputation as a place where technology-based entrepreneurship and innovation are being fostered and encouraged,” said Robbie Melton, chief executive officer of HTDC. “Over two-days, companies will hear from successful Hawaii SBIR-funded companies about how they were able to win grants and take their products to market. Sessions include best practices for taking products from research to the market and beyond. They’ll also hear directly from investors who will talk about what it takes to get them to fund companies. This is an opportunity to showcase the incredible level of technical innovation that’s taking place right here in the islands.”

Keynote speakers include Carole Teolis, president and chief executive officer of TRX Systems, a developer of location-based technology for first responders. The company is a recipient of the prestigious Tibbetts Award, which recognizes the very best in SBIR achievements.

The event will include panel sessions with discussions on funding, best practices, and defense focused projects, as well as one-on-one meetings with representatives from more than a dozen federal agencies as part of the SBIR Road Tour. The second day offers an opportunity to meet with investors. Among the presenters and speakers are:

• Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• Department of Commerce – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• Department of Defense – Air Force (USAF)
• Department of Defense – Chemical and Biological Defense (CBD)
• Department of Defense – Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
• Department of Defense – Navy
• Department of Defense – Special Operations Command (SOCOM)
• NAVSEA
• Department of Energy (DOE)
• Department of Health and Human Services – National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Small Business Administration (SBA)
• Lockheed Martin
• University of Montana/Miltech
• RTI International
• Canaan Partners
• TRX Systems
• Start up Capital Ventures
• Makai Ocean Engineering
• Referentia
• Oceanit

This year’s SBIR Road Tour, “Seeding America’s Future Innovations,” is national outreach effort targeting advanced technology communities. Annually, the SBIR programs provide $2.5 billion in early stage funding to small businesses primarily in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields.

Registration fees for the SBIR Road Tour – Hawaii: early registration $249 until Aug. 20; standard registration $325 (Aug. 21 to Sept. 11); and late/walk-in registration $400.

For more information or to register, visit www.htdc.org/sbir2017.

About HTDC (Hawaii Technology Development Corporation)
HTDC is a state agency, attached to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT). HTDC’s mission is to facilitate the development and growth of Hawaii’s technology industry. HTDC is providing the capital, building the infrastructure and developing the talent to foster innovation and diversify Hawaii’s economy. HTDC’s 80/80 Initiative is to create 80,000 new tech and innovation jobs that will provide high paying jobs for Hawaii residents.

ABOUT DBEDT (Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism)
DBEDT is Hawaii’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, and foreign trade advantages. DBEDT’s mission is to achieve a Hawaii economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawaii’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments, and promotes innovation sector job growth.

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