UW SBDC Proposal and Accounting Workshops in Riverton April 11

The federal government sets aside more than $2 billion annually to fund the early-stage development of new high-tech ideas being pursued by innovative small businesses. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs focus on funding these high-risk, high-payoff projects that have significant commercial potential. 

Two SBIR/STTR Phase I proposal and accounting workshops are scheduled in Riverton Tuesday, April 11, and Wednesday, April 12. Both workshops, sponsored by the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC), will take place at the Intertribal Center on the campus of Central Wyoming College.

The SBDC is a partnership among the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Business Council and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBDC focuses on educating small-business owners and potential owners on how to successfully start and operate small businesses. The SBDC’s main office is located at UW.

“We are fortunate to be able to sponsor Jim and Gail Greenwood, nationally recognized SBIR/STTR experts, to speak in Riverton in April,” says Cindy Beth Unger, business adviser for the Wyoming SBDC. “They will be doing two separate workshops on proposal preparation and cost accounting for interested Wyoming participants.” 

The Greenwoods have been involved in the SBIR program since its inception in 1983, and have taught workshops nationwide. Recipients of the coveted Tibbetts Award for their contributions to SBIR/STTR outreach and education efforts, the Greenwoods were recognized by the Small Business Technology Council as “Champions for Small Business” for their outreach efforts. 

A “Phase I Proposal Preparation Workshop,” scheduled Tuesday, April 11, from 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m., will give attendees a comprehensive overview of these programs and explain significant changes occurring as a result of recent federal reauthorization. Additionally, attendees will learn a simple, but effective four-step process to develop a Phase I proposal for submission to any of the participating SBIR/STTR agencies and have the opportunity to review some sample proposals.

The “SBIR/STTR Cost Proposal and Accounting Workshop,” scheduled Wednesday, April 12, from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., will delve into the world of government accounting. Participants will learn how to develop an indirect rate for a company and how to apply that rate to create an accurate and defensible cost proposal to include in Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR proposals. Understanding how to avoid mistakes and consequent financial losses will be discussed.

The Wyoming SBDC Network has received a Federal and State Technology (FAST) grant from the SBA to finance these nationally known speakers. Due to that grant funding, these workshops will be free of charge for Wyoming residents. However, seating is limited, and attendees must register individually for each workshop at www.wyomingsbdc.org. 

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least two weeks in advance. For further information, call Kelly Haigler Cornish at (307) 766-2904. 

The Wyoming SBDC Network is a business advising group of the Wyoming SBDC, Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Market Research Center and SBIR/STTR Initiative. The network’s mission is to help Wyoming entrepreneurs succeed. Advising and most market research activities are free of charge to Wyoming residents.

The SBDC is funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. SBA. Additional support is provided by the Wyoming Business Council and UW.

For more information, go to www.wyomingsbdc.org.