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Contact: Stuart W. Doyle
(407) 956-5689
sdoyle@eflorida.com
Enterprise Florida and partners will help more technology companies better their chance to
receive Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer funds
ORLANDO, FL (May 23, 2007) – Enterprise Florida (EFI) is expanding its program that
helps small businesses develop strong proposals for federal small business grants.
Launched in November 2005, the SBIR/STTR “Phase 0” Pilot Program has assisted
companies in developing proposals for federal SBIR and STTR (Small Business Innovation
Research and Small Business Technology Transfer) Phase 1 grants of about $100,000.
SBIR is a highly competitive program that encourages small business to explore their
technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. STTR
expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development arena. A key
aspect of STTR is the expansion of the public-private sector partnership to include the joint
venture opportunities for small business and the nation's premier nonprofit research institutions.
Enterprise Florida undertook “Phase 0” because overall SBIR/STTR success rates for
proposals submitted by Florida companies were low when compared to other states. (Florida,
for instance, ranked 38th in 2005.) “The goal was to help them to submit higher quality proposals
and have a higher award rate,” explained John Adams Jr., EFI president & CEO. "Now, our
pilot program is paving the way for more of Florida's small technology businesses to access $2
billion in Federal SBIR and STTR seed/early state capital."
Through “Phase 0,” EFI awards qualified companies grants in amounts up to $3,000,
which can be applied toward preparation efforts (e.g., market research, proposal/grant writing,
legal aid for patent filing, site visits to labs, etc.) for an SBIR or STTR proposal submittal. The
program provides assistance on a first-come/first-served basis, and a company must not have
received a Phase I award in the past five years.
Until recently, eligible businesses included only clients of EFI’s “Phase 0” partners: 23
university Technology Transfer offices, technology incubators, economic development
organizations and small business development centers. However, the program has been
expanded to allow participation by any company screened and recommended by a partner
organization. There’s a point of contact designated in each Florida county.
“The Phase 0 program is a phenomenal opportunity for resource strapped companies to
capitalize on external sources of assistance,” said Sanjay Patel, president of Datanautix, an
Orlando firm that helps its clients achieve better results from their back office and call centers
operations. “Beyond the obvious benefits of providing funds to assist with the development of an
SBIR proposal, the review and feedback provided by the Phase 0 process gave us a firm
foundation for writing a Phase 1 SBIR proposal.”
“Another benefit of winning a Phase 1 grant is that it can pave the way to higher level
SBIR and STTR grants,” said Carol Ann Dykes, chief operating officer for the University of
Central Florida Technology Incubator. “It can be a stepping stone to Phase 2 and open the door
to more opportunity for small businesses.”
For information on SBIR/STTR “Phase 0” Pilot Program participation, visit
http://www.eflorida.com/phase0/ or contact Bill Kean, senior director of Quality for Enterprise
Florida, at (407) 956-5606 or bkean@eflorida.com.
Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida's business and government leaders
and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida. Headquartered
in Orlando, EFI’s mission is to diversify Florida’s economy and create better-paying jobs for its
citizens by supporting, attracting and helping to create businesses in innovative, high-growth
industries. In pursuit of its mission, EFI works closely with a statewide network of economic
development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.
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