One-on-One Meetings
THE CONCEPT
For many grantees, the most important aspect of the SBIR/STTR Phase II Grantees Conference is the “one-on-one meeting” with their NSF Program Director. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss the progress of your Phase II project, commercialization efforts, and any other concerns or good news. Please note that it is critical that grantees have a candid discussion with their Program Director about the challenges they are facing in taking the new technology to market.
TOPICS COVERED BY PROGRAM DIRECTORS
* Update on your progress in developing customers, seeking private investment funds and establishing strategic partnerships
* Questions regarding the Phase II TECP and Phase IIB supplemental funding programs
* Requirements of and eligibility for Phase IIB, suitability of matching funds, timing issues, request for authorization to submit a supplement, NSF review process, etc.
* Questions regarding other SBIR Phase II supplemental funding opportunities
* Financial challenges that your company faces in getting the technology to market
* Team or personnel issues
* IP issues or concerns
* Concerns about shifting market dynamics or emerging competitive threats
* Any other “non-technology” issue being faced by your company.
Grantee Attendance
Requirements
Attendance by the Principal Investigator to this conference is typically mandatory. If the PI is unable to attend, please notify and discuss with your NSF Program Director who will be representing your company. That individual must be qualified to represent your company and able to discuss the Phase II project topics described above. At this year’s event, all one-on-one meetings will be scheduled from Monday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon. Grantees should plan to be present throughout this three-day event, so the one-on-one schedule will not impact your travel planning. Due to time constraints, grantees who were notified their attendance was ‘optional’ will not be scheduled for a one-on-one meeting.