The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs represent the largest source of early-stage funding for high-tech start-up companies in the United States. These federally-mandated programs provide more than $2 billion every year to small, for-profit companies to carry out leading-edge high-risk research and to grow their businesses. More than 40% of these funds are awarded to companies with 10 or fewer employees and much of the money goes to companies with just 1-3 employees. Nearly 1/3 of the awards go to first-time winners every year.

Presenter: Dr. Fritz Grupe

September. 16, 2010 – 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
REDFIELD Campus, 18600 Wedge Parkway – Nell J Redfield Bldg A, Room 202

Price: FREE to the Public

RSVP online or call 775-784-1717

Event: So you want to be an entrepreneur

Presenters: Rod Hosilyk & Matt Westfield

This workshop is for those considering an entrepreneurial venture or those considering expanding their existing business into more of an entrepreneurial venture. Today’s talk is about what Rod and Matt do as entrepreneurial experts, and they will present excerpts from their recent courses and, most importantly, results achieved and case studies.

Agenda items include:
• Prologue: Who are we, what we teach, and why we do it
• Why consider entrepreneurial venture (in today’s business climate)?
• What is an entrepreneur?
• Small Business Owner vs. Entrepreneur
• What you MUST have to succeed
• Doing the RIGHT stuff first
• Start with the least risk & best chance of success
• Testing and validating the market
• Business topics as seen from the “real world” view
• Case studies of previous attendees; testimonials
• Value of entrepreneurial ventures to the Reno/Northern Nevada area

September 2, 2010 – 7:30 – 9:00 am
Peppermill Hotel Casino Resort, Reno
2707 South Virginia Street, no, NV 89502

Price:  Members: Free and Non-members: $10.00 – Non-members must register by 5:00PM Tuesday, August 31 to avoid late registration fee of $20.00 – sorry, no exceptions.

This event is free to members but we ask that you register for food & beverage count. Non-Members we accept credit cards online or cash/check at the door. Please note this event is free to Sparks Chamber Members.

Selling to the government is a good source of additional revenue.  Attend this workshop and find out how your business can contract with the federal General Services Administration.

GSA pre-negotiates contracts with businesses like yours, which other federal agencies can use to buy goods and services. It maintains a large collection of these contracts in the ‘GSA Schedule’. Procurement managers from government agencies can view these agreements and make purchases from the GSA Schedule.

Attend this workshop and hear a GSA representative tell how to contract with the General Services Administration. Space is limited, so register now!

Who should attend the workshop?   Small businesses with two years’ history that are prepared to begin contracting, small businesses currently contracting with the government and businesses wanting to learn how to contract in the future.

Thursday, September 23, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Washoe County Government Center
Building ‘C’ Conference Room, 1001 E. 9^th St., Reno

Price:    FREE!

RSVP online or call 775-784-1717.

For information contact: Judith Hepburn, SBA, 775-827-4923.