Ideas into Dollars
A Resource Guide for
Inventors and Innovative
Small Businesses
Table of Contents
Foreword How to Use This Guide ....
Acknowledgements . . .
Your Help Requested .....
Invention Stage .................................................4
Idea Generation Phase ...........................................4
Idea Evaluation Phase ...........................................4
University Evaluation Centers ..................................4
Government Evaluation Offices ..................................5
Inventors' Associations.........................................6
Corporations....................................................6
Publications on Idea Evaluation ................................6
Commen:ialization Stage .........................................7
Protection and Legal Assistance Phase ...........................7
Private Patent and Copyright Organizations .....................7
Federal Patent and Trademark Office.............................7
Government Publications on Patents and Protection ..............7
Nongovernment Publications on Patents and Protection............8
Financial Assistance Phase ......................................8
Venture Capital Organizations...................................8
Government Grant Programs ......................................9
Important Financial Assistance Publications....................10
State Government Sources of Information on Federal and
State Grants ..................................................11
Management and Technical Assistance Phase ......................11
Invention Brokers and Consultants .............................11
SBA Management Assistance Programs ............................12
SBA Management Assistance Publications ........................12
NASA Technical Assistance Programs and Publications ...........12
Nongovernment Publications on Innovation Management ...........13
Production and Sales Phase .....................................13
Government Procurement Programs ...............................13
State Economic Development and Small Business Programs ........14
Procurement, R&D and Technology Conferences ...................14
Publications of Interest .......................................15
Professional Journals .........................................15
Books .........................................................15
Appendices .....................................................17
1. Patent Depositories ........................................17
2. Grant Application Procedures................................17
3. DOE Regional Offices .......................................17
4. Federal Assistance Prograrns Retrieval System ..............18
5. SBA Field Offices ..........................................19
6. SADBU Offices ..............................................20
7. SBA PASS Phone Numbers and Mailing Addresses ...............21
8. State Small Business Programs .............................22
9. Small Business Development Centers .........................23
10. NASA Industrial Applications and Slate Technology Applica
tions Centers ................................................24
Foreword- How to Use this Guide
Both the individual inventor and the small, hightechnology firm face major obstacles during process of creating, develop ing, and commercializing an innovation-of turning ideas into dollars. Ideas into Dollars is aimed at making those obstacles less intimidating. By providing you as inventors and small business managers ~,vith information on the variety of govern ment and private organizations, programs, and publications dealing with invention and innovation, the SBA hopes to in crease your chances of commercial success.
The contents of this publication are organized to be quickly ac cessible: the process of innovation, along with the appropriate resources, is laid out in successive stages from invention through commercialization. The resources listed in this Guide should help you as an inventor or small business owner or manager to mix effectively the four essenffal ingredients necessary for turning ideas into dollars: 1) determining technical feasibility, 2) assessing marlcet demand, 3) identifying capital sources, and 4) developing overall management com petence.
We suggest you skim this Guide, determine the stage you are in, and then "dive into" the wealth of information available from the resources listed. As advocates for small business, we understand the complications faced by an inventor or in novative firm when dealing with Government Agencies. The purpose of writing Ideas into Dollars is to help you deal effec tively with all the complexities, blind alleys, and frustrations that are frequently a part of working with Federal Agencies, corporations and other larger organizations. By explaining whom to contact and what procedures to follow, this Guide should help the innovation process flow somewhat more smoothly.
Acknowledgements
Several individuals in both Management Assistance and Ad vocacy were principal contributors. Barry Unger, of Innovation Support in Arlington, Mass., a Presidential Exchange Executive at SBA during 197980, was the publication's Technical and Science Advisor and Jerry Feigen, Advocacy's Associate Advocate for Capital Formation and Venture Capital, was the liaison between Management Assistance and Advocacy. Dr. Bruce Whiting, Director of Program Delivery for Management Assistance, was the originator of the project and Gregory Dielcks, WriterlEditor, Support Services Branch, was the Project Director.
Your Help Requested
Readers who are aware of any additional resources, whether publications, programs, or organizations, which would be of use to inventors or small, hightechnology firms, are requested to please send a full description of them to:
Ideas Into Dollars U.S. Small Business Administration (MA/SSB) 1441 L Street, NW Washington, D. C. 20416
The information contained in this publication was current at the time of writing. However, over time, programs change, publications come and go, organizations are restructured, and offices move. While every effort has been made by SBA to assure accuracy, some of the specific information may become dated.
Invention Stage
Idea Generation Phase
Idea generation has two interrelated components: the psychology of creativity, and the organizational encourage ment and promotion of new product ideas.
The thrust of this Guide is not to describe the nature of creativity, although creativity is the basis of invention. For those interested in studying creativity, there are many publica tions on its psychology. Most university and large local libraries wiU reference them. The American Psychological Association, 1200 17th Street, N.W., Washington DC 20036, (202) 8337600, publishes a broad range of journals and in dexes. It welcomes inquiries. The Creative Education Founda tion, Inc., 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222, located at the University State College, has an extremely extensive library of reference materials on creativity. For further infor mation write or caU (716) 8786221.
This Guide also does not presume to tell the smaU, high technology firm or the individual scientist, engineer, or techni cian how to arrive at new ideas, whether individually or organizationally. This Guide, however, does provide detailed advice on the resources available for use during the process of turning ideas into doUars-once the initial idea has been created.
Idea Evaluation Phase
Idea evaluation is the first major step after a concrete, detailed idea has been developed. This is a critical phase since every following phase requires the investment of more time and money. The purpose of an idea evaluation is to determine the overall technical and commercial feasiblility of an idea-what its fuU potential actuaUy is.
These evaluation activities seek to determine whether the fledgling invention is a marked improvement over its competi tion; whether it is likely to be commerciaUy viable; what the probable demand for it will be; who could produce it, and how it would be distributed. The ultimate purpose here is to arrive at the decision to go ahead to the commercialization stage, to redesign the invention, or to kill the project altogether.
There are both private, moneymaking organizations and public or quasipublic organizations like innovation centers that can assist the inventor at this stage. The moneymaking organizations include invention brokers and consultants, some of whom are in the business not only of bringing the inventor and buyer together-an aspect of commercialization-but also of helping evaluate the technical and commercial aspects of the invention or idea. Some work for a set fee. Others work on a contingent fee basis. This means that while the technical/commercial evaluation may be free, they will receive a percentage of the profits-but only if there are profits. These private organizations are discussed in more detail in the Com mercialization Stage, see page 7.
On the nonprofit side, several types of organizations can help evaluate inventor~s ideas, both technically and commer ciaUy but, unlike invention brokers, they are either free or charge a nominal fee. You should not become discouraged if a legative evaluation is received. Since there is no standardized evaluation system, try someplace else. However, any limita tions cited by the evaluation reviews should be considered by you when determining ways to improve upon your invention. Among these public and quasipublic evaluation organizations are: universities, Government Agencies, inventors' associa tions, and corporations (since they generally do not charge to develop a promising idea.)
University Evaluation Centerx Many universities have formal programs specifically designed to assist individuals with ideas for new or improved products or services. Nearly every state has a least one college or university that can provide research and development facilities to technicaUy oriented companies or individuals. Listed below are the principal university evaluation programs whose pur pose it is to promote innovation, invention, and product development.
MIT Enterprise Forum
Alumni Center
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02319
(617) 253~240
A nonprofit organization affiliated with Massachusetts In stitute of Technology. Provides entrepreneurs~officers of technically oriented businesses with onetime (with occasional followups available] evening panel discussions or "clinics" organized around a review of their startup or ongoing business, its plans, and the critical problems or issues it faces. Panels consist of 5 to 6 successful entrepreneurs and experts from industry, academia, and government who are recruited specifically to address the technological and business issues of the case at hand. The effort is made to have a panel broad enough to give a full perspective on the characteristics and op portunities of the entrepreneur's business. The nature of pro blems that companies have sought advice on has ranged from organizational strategy, to marketing, to financing, to managerial style and succession, to staffing, to increasing pro fitability, to requests for a general review of company opera tions or a review of a new company's business plans. Most of the approximately 30 companies served so far have found the "clinic" experience helpful. Sessions currently are held in the New York and Boston areas. Special arrangements, however, can be made to accommodate those companies based in other locations. A fee of $100 to defray expenses is charged to com panies who are accepted for presentation to the Enterprise Forum.
The M.I.T. Enterprise Forum also runs occasional other ac tivities such as a daylong program with workshops on Financ ing TechnologyBased Organizations. Businesseslentrepreneurs seeking assistance should contact Paul E. Johnson (Executive Director), Arthur C. Parthe Jr., Stanley R. Rich, or Barry Unger at the above address.
The University of Kansas Center for Research, Inc. 2291 Irving Hill Road Campus West Lawrence, KS 66045
The Center offers an interdisciplinarv approach to solvin~ technical problems companies often encounter when deveio~ ing new products. Those interested should write the Center brief explanation of their needs.
CarnegieMellon University
Center for Entrepreneurial Development
4516 Henry Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 6213940
This Center aids inventors and business owners in overcoming problems related to new product development. Provides technical advicelidea evaluation.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Innovation Center
Room 33111
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 2536947
The Center evaluates and screens innovations. Emphasizes idea evaluation and start up problem assessment. Students are heavily involved in this Center's programs.
University of Utah Utah Innovation Center Office of Business 391G So. Chiteta Way Salt Lake City, UT 84112 (801) 5813433 Assists inventors with development of their ideas. Screens and evaluates new product ideas and provides assistance in writing business plans.
California State University at Fresno
Bureau of Business Research and Service
Fresno, CA 93740
(209) 4872352
Conducts research on small business problems. Provides con sulting services for small businesses.
Industrial Technology Research and Development Foundation
(ITRAD)
P.O. Box 1335
132 No. l2th
Durant, OK 74701
(405) 9245094
A federally funded, nonprofit, Oklahoma State University
affiliated evaluation center supporting southcentral United
States. Performs idea evaluations and commercial feasibility
analyses.
Center for Private Enterprise and
Entrepreneurship
Hankamer School of Business
Suite 308
Baylor University
Waco, TX 76703
817) 7553766
Offers an Innovation Evaluation service aimed at determining cormnercial feasibility. A nominal $50 fee is rquired.
Center for New Business Executives Innovation Center P. O. Box 12793 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (919) 5498193 An independent, stateaffiliated organization, closely associated with the University of North Carolina. Provides
training and management assistance to new and potential entrepreneurs.
Wisconsin Innovation Service Center __ A Service of the University of Wisconsin Small Business Development Center
402 McCutchan
University of Wisconsin
Whitewater, WI 53190
(414) 4721365
For a $75 fee, performs an extensive preliminary commercial feasibility analysis.
Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development 209 Classroom Building University of California Santa Cruz, CA 95064 (408) 4Z92980
Provides credit and noncredit seminars and practice sessions on idea evaluation and invention management.
The Small Business Administration's Division of Management Assistance, 1441 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20416, spon sors a nationwide, universitybased Small Business Develop ment Center program. These Centers provide a wide range of management assistance to inventors and small, high technology firms, including idea evaluation. Appendix 9 lists these Centers and their phone numbers. Contact the Center in your area for more information.
Not all evaluation centers respond immediately; so, as an in ventor, do not become discouraged if your letters are not always answered. Perseverance is important.
Government Evaluation Offices National Bureau of Standards, Institute of Applied Technology, Office of EnergyRelated Inventions (OERI), Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20234, (202) 9211000.
The NBS EnergyRelated Invention Evaluation Program aims at encouraging innovation in developing nonnuclear technology. The program evaluates all promising energy related inventions. NBS does not offer grant assistance but rather acts as a screening and referral agency for the Depart ment of Energy (DOE) which does provide funding. Interested energyoriented inventors may write to OERI for a complete information packet containing the appropriate application forms and a full description of their evaluation process. The DOE grant program is discussed in the Government Grant Pro grams section of the booklet, see page 9. It should be men tioned that this NBS evaluation program is a lengthy process which recommends about 11/2 percent of the submissions to WE. WE, however, funds nearly all those recommended.
NBS's Office of EnergyRelated Inventions also has an Inven tor Information Resources Center pilot project. Three public libraries, Boston Public Library, Sunnyvale (CA) Public Library, and Price Gilbert Public Library (Atlanta, GA) are to act as depositories for and access points to a wide range of computer accessible data, instructional and technical information. These libraries are also Patent Depositories. Contact NBS for more information.
The Small Business Administration is funding three Innova tion Centers to help inventors and small, hightechnology firms develop and market their innovations. These Centers are similar to the University Evaluation Centers but offer a much wider range of services. The SBA Centers not only can provide engineering, design, and testing assistance, they also offer management assistance in such areas as market research and planning, production planning, personnel management, finan cial accounting systems development. and venture capital source analysis. These services span the entire invention commercialization continuum. Each Center has a different orientation. For more details contact:
Innovation Center Commercial Credit Management Corporation 300 St. Paul Place Baltimore, MD 21202
This Center emphasizes hightechnology products like elec tronics.
Center for Innovation
PO Box 3809
Butte, MT 59701
(406) 4946100
The emphasis here is on new products and inventions related to energy, agriculture, and mining.
Golden State Energy Center
Bldg. 1055
Fort Cronkhite
Sausalito, CA 94965
(415) 5617692
This Center works primarily with San Franciscobased firms in the area of renewable energy products and processes. The Center works closely with the Department of Energy, and other Federal and State Agencies.
Inventors' Associations Inventors' Associations provide advice on a new product development, idea evaluation, etc. They frequently publish newsletters so inventors can keep in touch with each other and with the new trends in engineering design. They also advertise inventions. Listed below are some of these associa tions. You can use these associations to talk with people "who have gone through it all before" and can give advice on other sources of help.
American Society of Inventors
134 Narberth Avenue
Room 101
Narberth, PA 19072
California Inventors' Council
Box 2096
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Central Florida Inventors' Club
2511 Edgewater Drive
Orlando, FL 32804
Inventors' Assistance League
345 West Cypress
Glendale, CA 91204
Inventors of California/National Innovation Workshop P.O. Box 158 Rheem Valley, CA 94570
Inventors' Workshop International Box 251, Tarzana, CA 91356; and 3222 92nd Street Oueens, N.Y. 11369
Minnesota Inventors' Congress
Box 71
Redwood Falls, MN 56283
Mississippi Society of Scientists & Inventors Box 2244 Jackson, MS 39205
Oklahoma Inventors' Congress
Box 53043
Oklahoma City, OK 73162
Technology Transfer Society
11720 W. Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Corporations Many corporations, due to legal complications among other reasons, make it their policy not to review ideas coming from the outside-at least the likelihood is remote. However, if you have a well developed idea and are looking for a larger com pany to evaluate, manufacture, and/or sell it, then you should consult reference publications like Thomus' Register of Manufacturers, Dun ~ Bradstreet directories, MacRae's Blue Book, for the names, addresses, phone numbers and prod uct orientations of the various companies.
To submit ideas to companies not specifically oriented to han dle inventions, you may find useful a publication by the American Bar Association's Section of Patent, Trademark & Copyright Law entitled, "Submitting an Idea." It describes the usual procedures involved in submitting an idea to a company. Copies are available for a nominal fee from:
Circulation Department
American Bar Association
1155 East 60th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
Publications on Idea Evaluation See: Books section, page 13, for materials on Invention Manage ment.
Guide to Invention and Innovation Evaluation, Gerald G. Udell, Michael F. O'Neill and Kenneth G. Baker. GPO. Superinten dent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. $3.50. Stock Number 038 000 004115.
The Lightbulb, Inventors' Workshop International, Box 251, Tarzana, CA 91356.
Commercialization Stage
The Commercialization Stage Phases include Protection and Legal Assistance, Financial Assistance, Management Assistance, and Production and Sales Assistance.
Protection and Legal Assistance Phase
Now that the invention has passed through the Invention Stage, its design and commercial potential should be clear. If you have not already begun to do so, the time is now to con sider how best to protect your new product or process. You should also now investigate the legal aspects of getting your in vention produced and distributed. What will be your legal rela tionship to the entity producing your new product? Will you have a licensing arrangement with an established company? Will you form a joint venture with an established company? Will you go into business for yourself, or simply sell your in vention to someone who has production, marketing and distribution facilities?
Let's first discuss protecting your invention once the final design has been determined. Many private organizations help inventors with patent and invention protection matters and make referrals to attorneys specializing in these matters. The following Organizations can provide you with important infor mation on patent procedures, ownership rights and trade secrets.
Private Patent and Copyright Organizations American Patent Law Association (APLA) 2001 Jefferson Davis Highway Suite 203 Arlington, VA 22202 (703) 5211680
This is an association of patent lawyers. It publishes the APLA Bulletin and a quarterly Journal. The APLA acts as an advertis ing and referral agency for patent attorneys and those who need their services.
Institute for Invention and Innovation 85 Irving Street P.O. Box 436 Arlington, MA 02174 (617) 646~093
Publishes Copyright Management and Invention Management.
Licensing Executive Society (LES) Department LES 20501 Ford Road Dearborn, MI 48128 (313) 2711500
Publishes LES Nouvelles, a quarterly journal.
Nation Patent Council, Inc.
Suite 301, Crystal Plaza 1
2001 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
The Council members principally come from the patent sec tions of corporations. It publishes a journal entitled Patent Trends, which covers cases heard before the US Court of Customs and Patent Appeals. The judgments of this court are final unless reviewed by the Supreme Court on a Writ of Cer tiorari.
Patent Office Society
Box 2089
Eads Station
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 5573955
Publishes both a monthly Newsletter and a Journal.
United Inventors and Scientists of America 14431 Chase Street Panorama City, CA 91402 (213) 9889320
Publishes the UISA Newslettcr and the List of Inventions Available for Licensing.
Federal Patent and Trademark Office For the invention that is patentable, the Patent and Trademark Office is the official agency where this is legally executed. Written correspondence should be sent to Patent and Trademark Office, Washington, DC 20231 or phone (703) 5573158.
The Patent Office provides several services for the inventor, in addition to patent protection. First, it has a Document Disclosure Program which permits the certified storage of papers for up to two years. This certified storage not only keeps safe important papers but also provides evidence of the date of the conception of inventions.
Second, before an inventor can obtain a valid patent, a search of pending patents must be made. The staff of the Patent Of fice will assist the inventor in this search, which can be done by going to the Search Room, Crystal Plaza, 2021 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia. There are also 29 Depository Libraries in the U.S. They keep complete files of all U.S. patents. See Appendix 1 for a listing. A search can be done at any of these libraries if more convenient.
Third, an official roster of all registered practitioners who prepare and prosecute patent applications for inventors is available (see: Government Publications below).
Fourth, for a small fee, the patented invention can be advertised, in the Patent Office's official Gazette, as being available for licensing or sale. The Gazette is widely circulated among manufacturers, research companies, and business owners. A Gazette entry includes the patent number, the name of the in vention, and the inventor's name and address. And fifth, every February, in conjunction with National Inventors' Week, an in ventors~ exposition is sponsored. Write to the Patent Office for complete information.
In addition to these five Government patent services, an im portant new law has been enacted. PL9~517 now allows small busiriesses to retain title (ownership) to an invention created with the help of Federal funds. So today, if a small business develops a patentable product or process while being funded by a National Science Foundation grant, for example, that firm can patent and proflt from its invention.
Government Publications on Patents and Protection The U.S. Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Of fice, Washington, DC 20231, publishes the following booklets.
For information on obtaining lhem, write or call (7(~3) 5573158.
Patents and Inventions: An Informal Aid for Inventors.
The Disclosure Document Program.
Questions and Answers About Patents.
Attorneys and Agents Registered for Practice before the U.S. Patent Office.
Official Gazette of the U.S. Patent Office.
Technology Assessment and Forecast.
Patents and Government Developed Inventions.
General Information Concerning Patents.
Patent and Trademark Office Notices.
The National Technical Information Service of the Department of Commerce, is the central source for the public sale of government sponsored ~esearch, development, and engineering reports prepared by Federal Agencies or contractors. NTIS has online search, bibliography and hard copy production capabilities. An especially useful NTIS publication for high technology firms is Government Inventions Available for Licen sing. For full information about NTIS write: NTIS, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161 or call (703) 4874600.
The Small Business Administration offers two free publica tions on idea protection-MA 6.005 Introduction to Patents and SBB 90 New Product Ideas. Request copies from SBA, P.O. Box 15434, Ft. Worth, TX 76119.
Nongovernment Publications on Patents and Protection Abernathy, David and Wayne Knipe. Ideas, Inventions and Patents. Pioneer Press, P.O. Box 76025, Atlanta, GA 30328.
Bush, George P. and Robert H. Dreyfuss, editors. Technology and Copyright: Sources and Materials. Lomond Publications, P.O. Box 88, Mt. Airy, MD 21771.
Grosswirth, Marvin. The Mechanics Illustrated Guide to How to Patent and Market Your Own Invention. New York David McKay Co., 1978.
Jones, Stacy V. The Inventors Patent Handbook. The Deal Press, 750 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017.
Pressman, David R. Pntent It Yourself! How to Protect and Market Your Inventions. New York McGrawHill, 1979.
Taylor, Clarence R. How to be a Sucoes~ul Inventor Patenting, Protecting, Marketing, and Selling Your Invention. Hicksville, NY: Exposition Press, 197Z.
Pntent Licensing Gazette/Technology World. Technical Research Associates, Inc., Willow Grove, PA 19090.
Financial Assistance Phase
Funding is critical to the continued development of an inven tion, new product idea, or new method of doing something. The resources identified in this section can help you as an in
8
ventor or small firm in several ways: by supplying the funds needed to bring an invention into commercial production (ven ture capital companies, investment bankers, lenders, etc.), by negotiating for the inventor with these financial sources (brokers),or by giving grants for the continued development of an already well thought out idea ~Government grants.) Grants should not be confused with procurement. The next section of this publication, Production and Sales, deals with Government procurement; here we are discussing grant programs only.
Venture Capital Organizations Venture capital is another name for the funding needed to start a new business (based on your invention) or expand on existing one (again, based on an invention or new product idea). Traditional lenders like banks and savings and loan com panies frequently resist becoming f nancially involved in such risky undertakings. However, there are several types of venture capital organizations that thrive on the uncertainties of start ing a business. These organizations usually want their equity investment (as opposed to a straight loan) to be easily converti ble to cash at some future date, and they will take a much more active role in managing the new or expanded business than traditional lenders since they may now own some of your common stock or a share of your business in return for the loan. There are several principal sources of venture capital:
1) Venture Capital Companiesprivately or publically held
businesses;
2)
4)
Small Business Investment Companies (SBlC's~SBA licensed investment firms whose purpose is equity and risk, longterm capital lending. For more information on SBlCs, ask your SBA field office for SBIC Finnncing for Small Business, OPC13;
Large Corporations;
Investment Bankers and Bank Trust Departmentsin re cent years more emphasis has been placed on venture capital funding by banks. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce, SBA or Department of Commerce field of fice, or your local banker for further information;
5) Insurance/Pension Plan Fundingprobably not of too
much use for direct assistance as they lend to the lenders
but worth investigating if you need a large sum; and
6) Public Fundingthe traditional sale of stock ownership
through the public equity market.
To grant venture capital funding, these lenders will require from you a solid business plan. These organizations, it should be remembered, are interested in funding promising inventions or products, not in evaluating or developing ideas. So you will need a well thought out plan which describes the general nature of your new product, the structure of your business, the market for your product. its competitive superiority along with your production, sales and distribution plans, including revenue, costs, and profit projections. All these are required as a basis for your loan negotiation.
There are several listings of venture capital companies. One of these is published annually in the December issue of Ven~ure Magnzine, entitled "Venture Capital Directory." Copies can be
obtained by writing Venture Magazine, Special Projects Department, 35 West 45th Street, New York, NY 10036, phone (212) 8405580. There is a nominal charge for the listing. Two recent books with extensive listings of venture capital com panies, their addresses, phone numbers, product orientation, and so forth, might also be useful. One is a Guide to Venture Capital Sources (5th edition), Stanley E. Pratt, editor, 1981, Capital Publishing Corporation, Two Laurel Ave., P.O. Box 348, Wellesley Hills, MA 02181. The other is entitled Planning and Financing Your New Business: A Guide to Venture Capital, John McKiernan, 1978, Technology Management, Inc., P.O. Box 230, Chestnut Hill, MA 02167.
There are also two national trade associations of venture capital companies. The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), Suite 750, 1225 19th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036, (202) 6595756, is interested in stimulating the free flow of capital to new and growing small businesses. Inventors and innovative small firms may wish to ask NVCA for advice on venture capital matters. The NVCA membership list of venture capital companies also might be worth requesting. The Na tional Association of Small Business Investment Companies (NAS81C), 618 Washington Building, N.W., Washington, DC 20005, (202) 6383411, publishes a Membership Directory (of the SBA underwritten SBICs referred to earlier on page 8) giving company name, address, phone numbers and industry preference. The Directory costs $1.00.
Government Grant Programs The Federal Government has a very complex system of grant programs. Nearly every Agency offers some kind of grant fun ding. In this section, coverage is limited to Project Grants, (research, technical assistance, training, unsolicited contrac tual agreements, etc.), Direct Payments, and Loan Assistance. Contracting for procurement of goods and services is covered in the Government Procurement Programs part of the Produc tion and Sales Phase. Appendix 2 provides a summary of how to apply for Federal grants. Some of the principal grant oriented publications and programs include:
National Science Foundation tNSF) Grants
The NSF, Publications and Grants Applications Office, 1800 G Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20550, phone (202) 3577861, makes available several key publications which detail their own and other Agencies' R&D grant programs. They include the NSF Bulletin (monthly), the Guide to Programs, the Grant Policy Manual and the Small Business Guide to Federal R~D.
A key office, the one that publishes Small Business Guide to Federal R~D, is the Office of Small Business Research and Development. It acts as the r~xus between the scien tific/technological elements of the small business community and NSF grant and procurement programs. This is a very useful contact for hightechnology small firms and can describe many of the NSF programs such as the new Small Business Innovation Research Program. For complete informa tion on the activities of this office contact the Director, Small Business R&D Office, NSF, Room 1121, Washington, DC 20550, phone (202) 3577527.
The Engineering and Applied Science Directorate (EAS), publishes Program Solicitation for Small Business Innovation Resear~h, NSF 7959. This booklet describes the EAS grant pro gram aimed at supporting advanced research in the general areas of applied science and engineering (excluding product development, technical assistance, pilotplant development, clinical and weapons' research) that could have significant public benefit if successful. Initial grants are in the $25,000 range, with more money possible at later stages. The Small Business Research and Development Office should be contacted for complete information on this program.
In addition to EAS Directorate programs, another key NSF grant program is the Appropriate Technology Program, which is aimed at strengthening the science base for appropriate technology development. For more information contact the Director, Appropriate Technology Program, Room 1108, NSF, 1800 G. Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20550, phone (202) 3577491.
Department of Energy Grants
Within Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 2525000, there are several granttype programs aimed at developing energyrelated technology. NSF's Small Business Guide to Federal R~D lists the DOE programs that relate to research and development. The following are some of the prin cipal DOE grant programs:
The Appropriate Technology Small Grants Program funds pro jects that are of small scale, decentralized, and energyrelated. The major types of projects include: Concept Development where awards of up to $10,000 are granted to develop new ways to simplify or streamline energy use; Developmentwhere up to $50,000 is granted to test the new ideas; and Demonstrationwhere up to $50,000 is granted for actual use testing. It should be borne in mind that less that 5% of those inventors seeking grants actually are awarded them. For fur ther information contact: DOE, Office of Inventions and Small Scale Technology, Appropriate Technology Small Grants Pro gram, Room 6G040, 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20585, phone (202) 2529104. Since this pro gram is administered through the regional offices, the fastest response probably can be gotten by contacting your local DOE Regional Office. See Appendix 3 for a listing.
Another program sponsored by the Office of Inventions and Small Scale Technology of DOE provides the inventor with grants for continued research, development, modeling, hiring of consultants, etc. It is a part of the previously described NBS/DOE EnergyRelated Inventions Program. This Office considers grant requests only aher a favorable evaluation by the National Bureau of Standards' Office of Energy Related In ventions. Therefore, to apply for these particular grants, do not contact DOE directly, go to the NBS first. NBS will thoroughly evaluate your invention and then forward your request to DOE if it is favorably evaluated. You should remember that only 10% of all evaluations by NBS are favorable. However nearly all of the favorable evaluations are funded by DOE. This NBS/DOE evaluation/grant program offers one time, one year grants ($80,000 average) to support nonnuclear, energyrelated inventions. (Turn back to page 5 for information on the NBS evaluation program. For more information the DOE grant pro gram, contact either NBS or call DOE at (202) 8878258.)
Department of Commerce Grants
The US Department of Commerce's Office of Minority Business Enterprise sponsors several Special Project programs. The Technology Commercialization Program, for example, promotes new, hightechnology, minority small business oppor tunities. For further information contact: OMBE, Department of Commerce, 14th Street between Constitution Avenue and E Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20230, phone (202) 3773024.
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration has a Na tional Sea Grant Program that funds marine research. For fur ther information contact: NOAA, National Sea Grant Program, 6010 Executive Blvd., Rockville, MD 20852, phone (301) 4438290.
The National Bureau of Standards offers grants for technical research and development on methods and approaches in the area of engineering and applied science. NBS' funds are granted by way of unsolicited proposals, that is, an unsolicited written offer by a business or individual to perform engineer ing and applied science research. Such proposals must contain a detailed description of an effort that will enhance NBS' research and development mission. It can not be an effort related to advertising or standard commercial product develop ment. For further information ask for Guidelines for Prepara tion of Unsolicited Proposals from: National Bureau of Stan dards, Office Management Divlsion, Technical Proposals Coor dinator, Building 301, Room B126, Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20234, phone (301) 9213521.
Department of Defense (DOD) Grants
DOD has a new program aimed at utilizing small, high technology firms to solve complex scientific/technical pro blems facing the national defense community. Phase I funding for preliminary R&D is up to $50,000. Phase II funding for ad vanced development is up to $500,000. Phase III consists of DOD production awards or commercial applications. For fur ther information contact DOD, Director for Small Business and Economic Utilization Policy, Offfice of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Rm 2A340, Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301.
Important Financisl A2~sistance Publications There are several important publications for those interested in learning more about the various sources of Federal financial assistance. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, Ex ecutive Office of the President, OMB, Washington, DC 20503, for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, GPO, Washington, DC 20402, is the basic reference tool needed to understand the entire Federal system of grants and financial assistance. (This book does not deal with procurement infor mation.) The Cahlog describes all the Federal programs of all Agencies, with programs cros~indexed by subject, purpose, name, functional classification, eligibility requirements, etc. Also detailed are the types of assistance available, how to app ly for assistance, how to write proposals and other sources of information. The Catalog is available through GPO, at many State and local government offices, in Federal Agency field of fices, and at major libraries.
The Small Business Administration, 1441 L Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20416, publishes many pamphlets useful to in
10
ventors and small businesses seeking financial assistance. Free copies can be ordered from SBA, P.O. Box 15434, Fort Worth, TX 76119. Refer to the specific title and number.
MA 1.001The ABC's of Borrowing
MA 2.007Business Plan for Small Manufacturers
MA 1.00~Venture Capital Primer for Small Business
Another useful SBA publication on financial assistance is en titled Small Business Guide to Federal Financial Assistance. Copies can be obtained by writing the Director, Office of Infor mation, Bureau for Advocacy at the Washington, DC address or by calling (202) 6536273.
The following SBA publications are sold by the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. (For current prices and mail order form, write: SBA, P.O. Box 15434, Fort Worth, TX 76119 and ask for SBA 115B, "ForSale Booklets".)
SBMS Small Business and Government Research and
Development
SBMS 39Decision Points in Developing New Products
Other key Federal financial assistance publications are:
OM8 Circular Nos. A21, A95
Parts I and III, A102, A110
A111 and FMC 744
Publications Office
Office of Administration
726 lackson Place, N.W., Room G236
Washington, DC 20503
Guide for the Submission of Research and Development Pro posals by Individuals and Organizations Other than Educational Institutions Department of Energy Washington, DC 20585
Guidelines for the Preparation of Unsolicited Proposals
Research Applied to National Needs Program
National Science Foundation
Washington, DC 20550
Treasury Circular 1082
Department of Treasury
Budget and Program Analysis, Room 2449
Washington, DC 20220
United States Government Manual
Superintendent of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, DC 20402
Sources of Funds for Solar Activities
Center for Renewable Resources (Not governmental)
1001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 466~880
NASA Grant Handbook (NGH) NASA Procurement Regulations (NAPR) Superintendent of Documents Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 (202) 7833238
The Securities and Exchange Commission's Office of Small Business Policy offers several publications discussing the Federal securities laws small firms must comply with when raising capital through public security sales. Relevant publica tions include: Small Business, Capital Formation, and the Federal Securities Lows; S18; Rule z40 and 242; Regulation A; and Q ~ A: Small Business and the SEC. Single copies can be obtained by writing the Small Business Policy Office, 500 North Capitol Street, Washington, DC 20549. For multiple copies send requests to the Publications Office. The SEC phone number is (202) 2722644.
State Government Sowrces of Information on Federal and State Grant~ There exists at the state level, a central source of information about Federal grants and grants awarded by States and localities. The State Central Information Reception Agency (SCIRA) is an office or unit of State government designated by the Governor to receive notification of grant awards issued under the provisions of Treasury Circular 1082. Federal Agen cies are required to notify the appropriate SCIRA in each State of Federal financial assistance awarded, any subsequent related transactions, changes in the value or duration of a grant, or Federal grants awarded to States or localities. The SCIRA in each State is set up primarily to serve the Governor and the legislature. The extent to which it is equipped to serve others such as local governments or the general public varies from State to State. See Appendix 4 for another computer based source of Federal grant information available in most States.
Management and Technica~ Assistance Phase
Invention Brokers and Consultants Whereas the major purpose of the venture capitalist is to lend money and obtain an equity holding in a company, invention brokers and consultants' principal role is to bring together a seller (inventor~ and a buyer. However, they also may supply expertise on new product development and financial manage ment, and some help fund the continued development and pro duction of new products.
Most brokers/consultants work solely on a contingent fee basis; that is, they receive a percentage of the revenues generated by the invention. If the new product produces no sales, they earn nothulg. Obviously, these organizations are very careful about what they will back and for how long.
Much as been written recently about the suspect business practices of some invention brokers. A word of caution should be mentioned: Some inventors have found themselves in dif ficulties when dealing with some brokers because the inven tors signed contracts calling for them to supply upfront money. After the money is paid, very little financial or technical assistance is given, in some instances. Before signing any contract, it is strongly recommended that you consult with your attorney or banker.
If you have any questions as to the reputation of an invention broker, check with the Federal Trade Commission by writing: FTC, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 6th and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580 or call (202) 5233844. Checking with your local Better Business Bureau or consumer groups might also be prudent.
Below is a listing of some of the major invention broker/con sultant organizations. For a much more extensive listing see: Consulting nnd Consulting Organizations Directory, 4th ed., Paul Wasserman and Janice McLean, editors, Gale Research Company, Book Tower, Detroit, MI 48226. Look under Field 82, New Ventures.
Batelle Development Corporation (BDC) 505 King Avenue Columbus, OH 43210 (614) 4246424/7446 BDC also runs a commercial feasibility analysis.
Business Growth Services General Electric Company 120 Erie Blvd., Room 380 Schenectady, NY 12305 (518) 3852577 General Electric's Business Growth Services department offers to innovative businesses new products and processes available for licensing or outright purchase. In Selected Business Ven tures and New Business Digest, GE lists their own and the pro ducts and processes of all other leading companies, laboratories, and universities that are available. These listings provide detailed information on licensing/purchasing ar rangements, market outlook, development status, and contacts. New Business Digest Annual provides the names, addresses, and phone numbers of many of the leading technology oriented businesses.
Arthur D. Little Enterprises Acorn Park Cambridge, MA 02140 (617) 8645770/2254 Arthur D. Little's Invention Management Group welcomes in ventions from outside sources. It provides a full range of (free) services to the inventor from detailed technical evaluations, to commercial potential assessments, to making licensing ar rangements. Arthur D. Little usually acquires the exclusive right to license an invention and negotiates all commercial agreements for the inventor. Request Invention Management and related publications if you want further information.
Control Data Corporation Technology and Information Services P.O. Box o HQV001 Minneapolis, MN 55440 (612) 853-3575/800328-1870 Toll Free
Technology and Information Services offers consulting, technology management and research services to assist business identify its opportunities. An integral part of these services is TECHNOTEC, a world wide, computer based, technology data base, accessible via telex, TRW, computer terminal, phone or
mail. A small firm can use the TECHNOTEC data base to search for needed technologies, available licenses, or joint ventures and can make their technologies and inventions available to other companies. There is a direct use fee for all computer time. Control Data's Technology and Information Services collects no fees or commissions from resultant business transactions.
Dr. Dvorkovitz & Associates
P.O. Box 1748
Ormond Beach, Florida 32074
Dr. Dvorkovitz & Associates is an international licensing firm which specializes in providing information in the field of technology exchange. Services include: InstanTechEx, which provides access to a data bank of products and processes from all technical fields which are available for license, joint venture and/or acquisition. The listings come from worldwide sources in industry, government, universities and private inventors and may be stored in the data bank at no charge. The potential licensee (seeker of technology) pays all fees pertaining to retrieval of information. TechEx, a World Fair Technology Exchange, is an annual exhibition held at multiple sites whose purpose is the transfer of products, processes, knowhow, etc. among participants Participation is by attendance or by exhibiting in a booth, buyer office or inventor booth.
Minnesota Cooperation Office 965 Southgate Office Plaza 5001 W. 80th St. Bloomington, MN 55437 (612) 8301230 The Minnesota Cooperation Office (MCO) is a taxexempt, nonprofit corporation. It is a private sector effort to create in novative, highgrowth companies. Directed primarily at the future economic strength of the State of Minnesota, MCO of fers its knowledge, experience and contacts to help solve the problems of technologyoriented, new businesses. MCO assistance to entrepreneurs extends from an initial evaluation to the final draft of a business plan. MCO also makes available to clients, its knowledge of business financing and its contacts with major institutional sources of venture capital. Supporting organizations include: Arthur Anderson & Co., Control Data Corp., Cargill Foundation, Honeywell, Inc., Minnesota Dept. of Economic Development, Price Waterhouse & Co., R.C. Lilly Foundation and The Toro Company.
Product Resources International, Inc. 800 3rd Ave. New York, NY 100Z2 (212) 9808980
REFAC Technology Development Corporation 122 E. 42nd Street New York, NY 10017 (212) 687~741
Unirad Corporation 4765 Oakland Street Box 39002 Denver, CO 80239 (303) 3717400 Emphasis is on scientific instrument development.
University Patents, Inc.
2777 Summer Street
Stanford, CT 08905
(203) 3252285
SBA Management Assistance Programs The Small Business Administration's Management Assistance Division has several programs useful at this stage of the inven tion process:
SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, is a free counseling service in which retired, volunteer executives help small firms solve their technical and management problems.
ACE, the Active Corps of Executives, augments SCORE by providing more specialized expertise.
SBI, the Small Business Institute program, calls on the skills of university faculty and graduate students to provide manage ment counseling for small businesses.
SBDCs, Small Business Development Centers, are university based organizations whose purpose is to develop the economy of the region around the university by providing a wide range of management assistance to small businesses and individuals in the area. Some SBDCs offer the services of specialists in the area of innovation management. See also page 5.
For a full description of SBA's Management Assistance pro gram, contact the SBA field office nearest you. A list of field offices is provided in Appendix 5.
S8A Management Assistance Publications To order up to five copies of each title, write: SBA, P.O. Box 15434, Fort Worth, TX 76119. Ask for them by title and number. They are free.
MA 2.006 Finding Q New Product for Your Company MA 1.008 Attacking Business Decision Problems with Breakeven Analysis MA 2.013 Can You Make Money With Your Idea or Invention? MA 2.016 Checklist for Going Into Business MA 4.019 Learning About Your Market
SBB 9
SBB 13
SBB 18
SBB 89
SBB 90
Marketing Research Procedures National Directories for Use in Marketing Basic Library Reference Sources Marketing for Small Business New Product Development
SBA also publishes a pamphlet describing its field structure, its various programs, plus it gives a guide to small business organizations, Congressional Delegations, selected committees, and so forth. It is called Small Business Guide to Government, published by the Office of Advocacy, and can be gotten through the field offices or from 1441 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20416.
NASA Technical Assistance Programs and Publications National Aeronautics and Space Administration programs pro duce a wealth of aerospace technology. The Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications coordinates a nationwide network of specialists who provide a link between aerospace technology and hightechnology businesses. For a nominal fee these NASA specialists offer scientific, technical, research, and management services. These services are provided through regional Industrial Applications Centers and State Technology Applications Centers. See Appendix 10 for a listing of these Centers.
NASA also has several publications of interest to inventors, R&D managers, and hightechnology firms. Tech Briefs is a quarterly survey of newly developed processes, advances in basic and applied research and laboratory techniques, and new sources of technical data and computer programs. Their Technical Support Package provides more detailed information on the subjects surveyed in the Briefs. Tech Briefs are free. NASA also published various handbooks and data compila tions, for example, the Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports. For subscriptions to or information on NASA publica tions, write: Director, Technology Transfer Division, NASA Scientific and Technical Information Facility, P.O. Box 8757, Baltimore/Washington International Airport, MD 21240.
In addition to publications, NASA provides computer pro grams covering a wide range of aerospace applications. These programs are availaole at a fraction of their original cost through: Computer Software Management and Information Center (COSMIC), 112 Barrow Hill, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, phone: (404) 5423265. New programs are announced in Computer Program Abstracts, obtained through the Superintendent of Documents, GPO, Washington, DC 20402.
Nongovernment Publications on Innovation Management Gee, Edwin A. and Chaplin Tyler. Managing Innovation. New York John Wiley and Sons, 1976.
Karger, Delmar W. and Robert G. Murdick. New Product Ven ture Management. New York Gordon and Beach Science Publishers, Inc., 1972.
Marvin, Philip. Product Planning Simplified. American Management Associations, New York, 1972.
Midgley, David F. Innovation and New Product Marketing. London: Croom Helm Publishers, 1977.
Scheuing, Eberhard E. New Product Management. Hinsdale, IL The Dryden Press, 1974.
Production and Sales Phase
The final component of the Commercialization Stage is the ac tual production and sale of a new or improved product. The emphasis in this part of our Guide is on Federal procurement and procurement assistance programs. Private organizations like invention brokers and venture capital companies and non profit organizations like the MIT Enterprise Forum can offer advice on production and sales, as well as act as liaison bet ween the inventor and a potential manufacturer, (and they already have been discussed) but here we are concerned with how to sell to the U.S. Government.
Government Procurement Programs Before describing the various programs, here is a brief over view of the Federal procurement process. When the Govern ment needs to purchase goods or services, it advertises for them. It can advertise through the Commerce Business Daily or trade papers, or it can invite bids from firms who are on a Bid ders' List. A Bidders' List is a compilation, by an individual Agency, of the names, addresses, product orientations and related technical information of the companies who have the capability of supplying the goods or services the Agency needs.
How does a company get on a Bidders' List? First, find out what the procurement needs are of each Agency (every Agen cy has purchasing offices around the country and each Agency keeps its own Bidders' List) by asking for that information from the Agency's field office, a local SBA office, or the nesrest GSA Business Service Center. Second, determine with which Agencies your company probably can do business. If you need more details than a field office csn give about an Agency's exact procurement specifications and standards write to the Naval Publications and Forms Center, 5801 Tabor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19120. Ask by Agency name for its Procurement Specifications and Standards. Third, once you have determined to which Agencies (and what goods or ser vices) you want to sell, call their field office and ask for the forms you need to get on their Bidders' List. Once you are on the list, you will automatically receive bid invitations.
In addition to getting on a Bidders' List, you should read the basic document advertising new purchasing requirements of Federal Governmentthe Commerce Business Daily. It lists pro curement invitations, contracts awarded, subcontracting leads, and foreign business opportunities. The subcription rate is $80 annually. Order from the Superintendent of Documents, GPO Washington, DC 20402.
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (SADBU) Con tacts
The various Federal Agencies are now establishing, at Agency headquarters, contact points for small businesses to call direct ly to obtain procurement and other financial assistance infor mation. These are staffed with key personnel, knowledgeable about their own Agency's procurement needs. A listing of these SADBU contacts is given in Appendix 6.
Department of Energy Procurement Programs
The DOE's SADBU Office offers information on DOE's grant and procurement programs related to energy technology research and development. For further information about guidelines and programs, write: Director, Small and Disadvan taged Business Utilization Office, Mail Stop 1Io09, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20585, phone (202) 2528201.
National Science Foundation Procurement Programs
NSF, Office of Small Business Research and Development publishes Small Business Guide to Federal R~D, previously mentioned. The Guide is intended to help small, high technology firms enter the market of Federally supported research and development. It is indispensible for firms not vet
into the Federal R&D field. All Federal Agency R&D grant and procurement programs are covered in detail. Also detailed are the steps needed to prepare a formal proposal for funding of R&D activities. While both grant and procurement programs are covered, the emphasis is on procurement.
Small Business Administration Procurement Programs
There are billions of dollars in Federal procurement contracts that annually bypass small businesses because their owners lack an understanding of how the Government buys goods and services.
The SBA has several programs that can help. They include:
1) Contracting AssistanceSBA field offices (see Appendix 5) have Procurement Specialists who work closely with the pur chasing personnel of the various Agencies and counsel small business owners on how to prepare bids, get their names on Bidders' Lists, etc.;
2) Small Business SetAsidesThese are contracts restricted for bidding by only small businesses;
3) Subcontracting AssistanceSBA's field offices work closely with prime contractors to assure small business a fair share of subcontracting opport,mities;
4) Certificates of Competencylf there are questions about whether a small business can fulfill the contracting re quirements of a bid it has won, SBA will investigate and make a binding determination through the COC program;
5) Technology Assistanceln this program SBA encourages small businesses to participate in Federal R&D contracting by counseling them and listing them in the SBA's R&D directory; and
6) PASSThis is the Procurement Automated Source System, a field office based, computerized system listing the capabilities of small companies so Federal procurement officers and prime contractors can select companies to receive bidding invita tions. Turn to Appendix 7 for a listing of SBA field offices specifically designated to deal with PASS information re quests. To order a PASS Application Form call toll free 1 800 4337212.
SBA has several publications with a procurement orientation. Ask your local SBA field office for copies (if free) and order the forsale ones from the Superintendent of Documents, GPO, Washington. DC 20402.
OPC2
PA1
PA2
PA3
PA5
PA6
Your 8usiness and the SBA Selling to the U.S. Government (CPO) Contractor Paths to Grie~ Some Solutions SBA's Procurement and Technical Assistance Pro grams What is a Certificate of Competency? U.S. Government Purchasing and Sales Directory
(GPO)
SBA Suocontracting Directory (GPO)
State Economic Development and Sm~lll Business Programs Nearly all States have offices of economic or industrial
14
development. Some States have extensive procurement, grant, and/or management assistance programs and will supply a packet of information about the services they provide to pro mote innovation, research and development, and small business opportunities. A few States are even developing science and technology offices specifically aimed at helping small, hightechnology firms. For an overview of state ser vices, see: Book of the States, Council of State governments, P.O. Box 11910, Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40578.
SBA's Office of the Chief Counsel for Advocacy publishes a Directory of State Small Business Programs. Listed are the State small business assistance programs with names, addresses, phone numbers, and descriptions of the programs. See Appen dix 8 for a Survey Chart of these programs. Your local SBA field office uses this book for a reference and can put you in contact with the State program personnel in your area.
Procurement, R&D and Technology Conferences Several conferences are held annually throughout the country to help inventors and small, hightechnology fi~ns learn about the Government procurementcontractinggrant system, trends in technology, and how to evaluate and manage an invention. Contact to the following organizations for further information on their conference schedules. Some of these conferences are excellent sources of information and can provide personal con tacts with other inventors and small business managers.
National Innovation Workshops
4035 Lincoln Blvd.
Marina Del Ray
Los Angeles, CA 90291
(213) 8220350
Lakeshore Group Ltd.
207 East Buffalo Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 2725420
American Association of Small Research Companies 8794 West Chester Pike Upper Darby, PA 19082 (215) 4492333 or 5286093
Inventors' Exposition lnventors Workshop International Box 251 Tarzana, CA 94705
National Inventors' Week Exposition Patent and Trademark Office Washington, D. C. 20231
(703) 5573158
California Inventors' Council
Box 2096
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 7324314
New Products Technology Development Conference P. O. Box 12793 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
(919) 5498193
Publications of Interest
In addition to the publications already listed in the various sections of this pamphlet, there are some other journals and books of use to the inventor and innovative small business. They include:
Professional Journals
American Bulletin of International Technology Transfer
International Advancement, Inc.
Box 75537
Los Angeles, CA 90075
American Inventor
10310 Menhart Lane
Cupertino, CA 95014
In Business
The JG Press
Box 323
18 South Seventh Street
Emmaus, PA 18049
(215) 9674135
Inc.
38 Commercial Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 2274700
Industrial Research ~ Development Magazine
Technical Publishing
1301 South Groove Street
Barrington, IL 60010
(312) 3811840
International New Products Newsletter
Transcommunications International, Inc.
Box 191
Back Bay Annex
Boston, MA 02117
New Product Monthly Reports
Berliner Research Center, Inc.
Berliner Research Bldg.
Danbury CN 06810
(203) 74~2333 Telex 969658
New Products and Processes
Newsweek International
P.O. Box 424
Livingston, NJ 07039
New Products Bulletin
Tiffany Products, Inc.
239 Main Street
West Orange, NJ 07052
(201)7319111
New Products News
8576 Mesa Drive
Sandy, UT 84070
(801) 5613259
Product Design and Development
Chilton Company
Chilton way
Radnor, PA 19089
Product Engineering
MorganGrampian Publications
2 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
(212) 5738133
Technical Information Periodicals Service,
Selected Business Ventures,
New Business Digest Annual
General Electric Company
Business Growth Services
120 Erie Blvd., Room 380
Schenectady, NY 12305
(518) 3852577
The Review of Scientific Instruments
American Institute of Physics
335 45th Street
New York, NY 10017
(212) 6619404
Technology Mart
Thomas Publishing Company
One Penn Plaza
250 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10001
Test Engineering ~ Management
The Mattingley Publishing Company
61 Monmouth Road
Oakhurst, NJ 07755
Venture Capital
Capital Publishing Company
Box 348
Wellesley Hill, MA 02181
(617) 2355405
Venture Magazine
35 West 45th Street
New York, NY 10036
(212) 84~5580
Books of Inter~t
For a complete listing of books on invention and invention management see Books in Print, found in the reference section of libraries.
Baumback, Clifford M. Entrepreneurship and Venture Manage ment. Englewood, NJ: PrenticeHall, 1977.
Baty, Gordon B. Entrepreneurship: Playing to Win. Reston, VA: Reston Publishing Company, 1974.
Bylinsky, Gene. The Innovation Millionares: How They Succeed. New York: Charles Scribner s Sons.
Cunningham, Donald E, John R. Craig, and Theodore W. Schlie. Technological Innovation: The Experimental R~D Incen tives Program. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1977
Greene, Orville and Frank Durr. The Practical Inventor's Hand book. New York McGrawHill, 1979.
Hallock, Robert. Inventing for Fun and Profit. New York: Dover Publishers, lnc., 1978.
Hartman, Susan N. and Norman C. Parrish. Inventors' Source Book: ~ow to Turn Ideas Into Inventions. Inventors Resource Center, P.O. Box 158, Rheem Valley, CA 94570.
Jewkes, J. et al. The Sources of Invention. St. Martin's Press, 1958.
Kivenson, Gilbert. The Art and Science of Inventing. New York. Van Nostrand Reinhold, Inc., 1977.
Kracke, Donald. How to Turn Your Idea Into a Million Dollars. Garden City, NY: Doubleday.
Li, Yao Tzu. Technical Innovation in Education and Industry. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1978.
Reffman, William E. How to Sell Your Own Invention. Halls of Ivy Press, 1977.
Shcwenck, James and Eric P. McNair. How to Become a Suc cessful Inventor: Design a Gadget in Your Spare Time and Strike it Rich! New York Hastings House Publishers, 1974.
Appendices
Appendix 1. Patent Depositories
Public Libraries
Albany, New York
Birmingham, Alabama
Boston, Massachusetts
Buffalo, New York
Chicago, IUinois
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
DaUas, Texas
Denver, Colorado
Detroit, Michigan
Los Angeles, California
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Newarkt New Jersey
New York, New York
Providence, Rhode Island
St. Louis, Missouri
Toledo, Ohio
Other Libraries
Price Gilbert Library
Georgia Institute of
Technology
Atlanta, Georgia
Ohio State University
Library
Columbus, Ohio
The Fondren Library
Rice University
Houston, Texas
Linda HaU Library
Kansas City, Missouri
Love Library
University of
Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska
Wendt Engineering Library
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Franklin Institute Library
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Carnegie Library
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
D. H. Hill Library
Raleigh, North Carolina
Engineering Library
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington
Oklahoma, State University
StiUwater, Oklahoma
Sunnyvale Patent Library
Sunnyvale, California
Appendix 2. Grant Application Procedures
This Appendix is designed to brief those seeking Federal grants. The first step in the grant application process is to determine what grants and other funding are available from the various Agencies. The sources of information available to help make the determination already have been reviewed. To reiterate, those basic sources include Federal Agency contact personnel, Agency publications on grant guidelines, Agency field offices, the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, the State Central Information Reception Agency (an information office in each State government), and the Federal Assistance Programs Retrieval System (another State based information of fice).
Once the Agency and type of grant have been determined, ask for the Application Kit for the specific grant program. This Kit will provide the details and forms needed to make a grant ap plication.
A Proposal Paper is a basic requirement in any grant applica tion, so it's important to do it well. The Proposal Paper should include: a brief biographical sketch of the individual or key staff members of the organization seeking the grants, a brief history of individual or organizational accomplishments, and the statement of the problem. When stating the problem, the author should explain what is going to be accomplished with the grant, who will benefit, what the exact nature of the pro blem is, how you will approach and solve the problem, and what wiU happen to the project when funding is over.
Remember, before developing a Proposal Paper, have the Grant Application Kit in hand and have a contact point in the Agency offering the grant. Your Agency contact is important and will answer your day to day questions, as well as review your Proposal Paper. Remember too that your Proposal Paper must provide the details of what the objectives are, and what, how and when resources are to be allocated to achieve the ob jectives.
For further information on grant writing, check the Federal Register, the official Executive Branch document detailing grant project requirements, found in many libraries and government offices throughout the country.
Appendix 3. DOE Regional Officeg
Region I
Department of Energy
Analex Building
150 Causeway Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02114
Region II
Department of Energy 26 Federal Plaza New York, New York 10007
Region III
Department of Energy 1421 Cherry Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
Region IV
Department of Energy 1655 Peachtree Street Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Region V
Department of Energy
175 West Jackson Boulevard Chicago, IUinois 60604
Region VI
Department of Energy P.O. Box 35228 2626 West Mockingbird Lane DaUas, Texas 75235
Region VII
Department of Energy 324 East 11th Street Kansas City, Missouri 64152
Region VIII
Department of Energy
P.O. Box 26247 Belmar Branch 1075 South Yukon Street Lakewood, Colorado 80226
Region LX
Department of Energy 333 Market Street San Francisco, California 94111
Region X
Department of Energy 1992 Federal Building 915 Second Avenue Seattle, Washington 98174
Appendix 4. The Federd A~istance Pr~ rams
Retrieval Sydem (Enh~nced Verdon)
The Federal Assistance Programs Retrieval System (FAPRS) is a computerized questionanswer system which is designed to provide rapid access to Federal grant program information. Program information provided by FAPRS is determined from input supplied by the requestor. Input required includes the name of the State, county, city, town, or federally designated Indian Tribe for which program information is requested; the population of the city or town; the type of applicant (e.g., State or local organization, small business, individual), the type of assistance under which programs are administered (e.g. grants, loans~; and the specific functional categories and sub categories of interest. Based upon the input supplied by the re questor, the output provided by FAPRS consists of: 1) a list of 18
program numbers and titles, 2) the full text of selected pro grams, or 3) specific sections of the program text.
The following are principal features of the enhanced version FAPRS system:
6.
Expansion of functional categories and sub categories.
Expansion of the applicant eligibility specification to include 12 government related and 10 non government related applicant types.
Specification of the type(s) of assistance desired as one of the search criteria. At present, the Catalog lists up to 15 types of assistance provided by Federal programs.
Display of definitions for functional subcategories, applicant types, and types of assistance.
Selection of specific sections of Catalog text to be displayed.
Formatted display of Federal circular requirements for a selected list of programs.
States have designated access points where FAPRS searches may be requested. In addition, bulletins on FAPRS are available. For further information on FAPRS, the location of the nearest State access point, or a list of the timesharing com panies from which interested persons may arrange for direct access to the system, write to the Office of Management and Budget, Budget Review Division, Federal Program Information Branch, Washington, DC 20503.
Appendix 5. SBA Field Offices: Addresses and Commercial Telephone r~umbers
City
Boston
Augusta
Concord
Hartford
Montpelier
Providence
New York
Melville
Hato Rey
Newark
Syracuse
Buffalo
Elmira
Bala Cynwyd
Harrisburg
WilkesBarre
Wilmington
Towson
Clarksburg
Charleston
Pittsburgh
Richmond
Washington
Atlanta
Birmingham
Charlotte
Columbia
Jackson
Biloxi
Jacksonville
Louisville
Coral Gables
Nashville
Knoxville
Memphis
Chicago
Cleveland
Columbus
Cincinnati
Detroit
Marquette
Indianapolis
South Bend
Madison
Milwaukee
Minneapolis
Springfield
Dallas
Albuquerque
Houston
Little Rock
Lubbock
El Paso
Harlingen
Stste Zip Code
Mass. 02114
Maine 04330
N. H. 03301
Conn. 06103
Vt. 05602
R. I. 02903
N. Y. 10278
N. Y. 11747
Puerto Rico & 00919
V.l.
N. J. 07102
N. Y. 13260
N. Y. 14202
N. Y. 14901
Pa. 19004
Pa. 17101
Pa. 18702
Del. 19801
Md. 21204
W. Va. 26301
W. Va. 25301
Pa. 15222
Va. 23240
D. C. 20417
Ga. 30309
Ala. 35205
N. C. 28202
S. C. 29202
Miss. 39269
Miss. 39530
Fla. 32202
Ky. 40201
Fla. 33134
Tenn. 37219
Tenn. 37902
Tenn. 38103
111 60604
Ohio 44199
Ohio 43215
Ohio 45202
Mich. 48226
Mich. 49855
Ind. 46204
Ind. 46601
Wisc. 53703
Wisc. 53202
Minn. 55403
111. 62701
Tex. 75242
N. M. 87110
Tex. 77054
Ark. 72201
Tex. 79401
Tex. 79902
Tex. 78550
Address
150 Causeway St., loth Floor
40 Western Avenue, Room 512
55 Pleasant Street, Room 211
One Financial Plaza
87 State Street, Room 204, P.O. Box 605
40 Fountain Street
26 Federal Plaza, Room 3100
35 Pinelawn Road, Room 102E
Carlos Chardon Ave, Fed. Bldg. Rm. 691
970 Broad St., Room 1635
100 South Clinton Street, Room 1073
111 West Huron St., Room 1311
180 Clemens Center Parkway, Room 412
231 St. Asaphs Rd., Suite 400 East Lobby
100 Chestnut Street, Suite 309
20 North Pennsylvania Avenue
844 King Street, Room 5207
8600 LaSalle Road, Room 630
109 North 3rd St., Room 302
Charleston National Plaza, Suite 628
960 Penn Ave.,5th Floor
400 North 8th St., Room 3015, P.O. Box _
1111 18th St.. N.W..6th Floor
1720 Peachtree Road, N.W., 6th Floor
908 South 20th St., Room 202
230 S. Tryon Street, Suite 700
1835 Assembly, 3rd Floor P.O. Box 2786
100 West Capitol Street, Suite 322
111 Fred Haise Blvd., 2nd Floor
400 West Bay St., Room 261, Box 35067
600 Federal Pl., Room 188, P.O. Box 3517
2222 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, 5th Floor
404 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 1012
502 South Gay St., Room 307
167 North Main St., Room 211
219 South Dearborn St., Room 437
1240 East sth St., Room 317
85 Marconi Boulevard
550 Main St., Room 5028
477 Michigan Ave.
220 West Washington St., Room 310
575 North Pennsylvania St., Room 578
501 E Monroe St., Suite 120
212 East Washington Ave., Room 213
517 East Wisconsin Ave., Room 246
100 North 6th St.
Four North, Old State Capital Plaza
1100 Commerce St., Room 3C36
5000 Marble Avenue, N.E., Room 320
2525 Marworth, Room 43
320 West Capitol Ave., P.O. Box 1401
1205 Texas Avenue, Room 712
4100 Rio Bravo. Suite 300
222 East Van Buren Street, P.O. Box 2567
Phone Number
(617) 2233224
(207) 6228378
(603) 2244041
(203) 2443600
(802) 2290538
(401) 5284580
(212) 2644355 (516) 4540750
(809) 7534572
(201) 6452434 (315) 423s383 (716) 8464301 (607) 7334686
(215) 5965889 (717) 7823840 (717) 8266497 (302) 5734294 (301) 9624392 (304) 6235631 (304) 3436181 (412) 6442780 (804) 7712617 (202) 6344950
(404~ 8814749 (205) 2541344 (704) 3716563
(803) 7655376 (601) 9604378
(601) 4353676 (904) 7913782 (502) 5825971 (305) 3505521 (615) 2515881 (615) 6379300 (901) 5213588
(312) 3534528 (216) 5524170 (614) 4696860 (513) 6842814 (313) 2267241 (906) 2251108
(317) 2697272 (219) 2328163 (608) 2645261 (414) 2913941
(612) 3493550 (217)4924416
(214) 7670605 (505) 7663430 (713) 6604401 (501) 3785871 (806) 7627466
(915) 5437586 (512) 423~934
19
City
Corpus Christi
New Orleans
Oklahoma City
San Antonio
Kansas City
Springfield
Sikeston
Cedar Rapids
Des Moines
Omaha
St. Louis
Wichita
Denver
Casper
Fargo
Helena
Salt Lake City
Sioux Falls
Rapid City
San Francisco
Fresno
Las Vegas
Honolulu
Agana
Los Angeles
Santa Ana
Phoenix
San Diego
Seattle
Anchorage
Fairbanks
Boise
Portland
Spokane
State Zip Code
Tex. 78408
La. 70113
Okla. 73102
Tex. 78206
Mo. 64106
Mo. 65806
Mo. 63801
Iowa 52402
Iowa 50309
Neb. 68102
Mo. 63101
Kans. 67202
Colo. 80202
Wyo. 82602
N. D. 58108
Mont. 59601
Utah 84138
S. D. 57102
S. D. 57701
Caliœ . 94105
Calif. 93712
Nev. 89101
Hawaii 96850
Guam 96910
Calif. 90071
Calif. 92701
Ariz. 85012
Caliœ 92188
Wash. . 98174
Alaska 99513
Alaska 997