Technology Commercialization
For Kansas SBDC innovators, we break down the complexity of commercialization. Our Tech Innovation Center makes it manageable for businesses to run their existing businesses while expanding through research and development. We advise, refer, and connect businesses to the resources they need to succeed and ensure the engagement on both sides of the table is more productive. Our technology commercialization program provides a wide variety of services including but not limited to:
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Steps in the commercialization of a product
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Understanding the commercialization process model
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How to market an idea to a company
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Product commercialization strategies
We help innovators interested in working with the U.S. government and private enterprise by connecting the idea people with the people that need the ideas. Our clients include individual developers as well as industries such as biomedical, software development, and UAS. We help our clients make meaningful connections to take the next steps in commercialization.
The Goldsmith Model
The Kansas SBDC staff uses a model developed by H. Randall Goldsmith, Ph.D. as a tool to determine the status of your innovation from the perspective of technology, market, and business and to identify your next best steps.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) & Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs
The federal SBIR program was created to stimulate technological innovation, utilize small businesses to meet federal research and development (R&D) needs, and increase private sector commercialization derived from federal R&D. This is a highly competitive program that encourages small businesses with the potential for commercialization to engage in federal R&D.
The federal STTR program is modeled on the SBIR program with similar objectives. It also serves to encourage tech transfer through research between small business concerns and non-profit research institutions. STTR's most important and fundamental role is to bridge the gap between the performance of science and commercialization of resulting innovations. To learn more about SBIR/STTR grants and programs, visit our Resource Guide.
To learn more about the impact and overall assessment of the SBIR program, check out the case studies below.
SBIR grants: Successfully funded university spin-off
SBIR grants: Successfully funded academic collaboration
Rural and Independent Innovators Conference
The Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) developed the Rural & Independent Innovators Conference (RIIC) model to cultivate innovators and entrepreneurs in rural areas of Kansas and to assist independent innovators and businesses anywhere in the state who lack the support of a developed research program. RIIC events are hosted by several Kansas SBDC regional centers throughout the state.
To learn more about the Rural and Independent Innovators Conference, visit https://www.ksinnovator.com/.
Encountering Innovation
Encountering Innovation is a program of the Kansas Small Business Development Center. It provides innovators the opportunity to present and showcase their technology to tech scouts and the public.
Tech Scouts from the Department of Defense, Service Labs, Academia, and various government agencies will listen to pitches, examine poster board displays, discuss government needs, and chat with innovators during lunches and evening networking events.
Through these connections, innovators will gain feedback and direction, and their innovation might be selected for socialization among government agencies and for fast-track contracting.
To learn more about Encountering Innovation, visit https://www.encounteringinnovation.com/.
To apply to pitch at Encountering Innovation, click here. (Note: You must be signed up as a Kansas SBDC client to apply.)
Kansas SBDC Tech Innovation Center Director
Alan Badgley
316-290-9434
