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Hello Alaska,
As a follow-up to last week's call for videos, Jonathan Butzke, Owner/ DP Talking Circle Media pointed out that there are rules and laws that need to be followed when taking on video productions, such as copyright and trademark infringements. To my call to "get out your iPhones, cameras, or any other digital video recording device of your choosing and get to work promoting your business", Jonathan replied (I am paraphrasing) "just because you have the keys to the car, doesn't mean you know how to drive" - Point taken!Please know that there are expert companies available that can help you navigate what might be treacherous waters.
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A couple of years ago I was frustrated about not being able to position a ladder properly to paint a narrow stairwell. I thought that someone should invent a ladder that has one adjustable leg, to be able to set one of them on a step. Naturally, my immediate second thought was that I should be the one that should invent such a ladder. With nowhere else to turn, I called one of the TV advertised inventor hotlines and after a day of discussion and back and forth emails was told that for a nominal fee (read - holy cow, that much?), the company would gladly design the product, patent it and assist in the marketing. Needless to say, I declined the invitation and the stairwell ceiling remains unpainted to this date.
Little did I know that there is local help available to inventors. The Technology Research & Development Center (TREND), yet another invaluable partner program of the Small Business Development Center, is not here to help you with the design of the product, but provide valuable resources and information to take you from idea development; business analysis; prototype development; test marketing and financial resources analysis to commercialization.
TREND utilizes tools like the "Explain Yourself Exercise", which forces inventors to think about information that is vital in describing the characteristics of their project so they can explain it to others. Some of the most important ones are:
- What does it do? What are its features?
- What does it look like? (Make sketches)
- What makes it unique or different? What need does it satisfy?
- What are its advantages over existing products?
- Who will buy it? Who will use it?
- How will it be marketed? How many could be sold? Price?
- What involvement will the inventor have in the product?
One of TREND's main focuses is to increase participation of Alaskan businesses in the
Small Business Innovation Research federal grant program, or SBIR. Introduced in 1982 SBIR legislation requires all federal agencies with a research budget of $100 million or more, set aside 2.5 percent of those funds for small businesses. Today there are 10 agencies that participate for a total of $1.6 billion "bucks in reserve" per year that is allocated for small businesses. These funds are distributed in the form of grants to qualified and severely scrutinized businesses over three phases.
Awards support exploration of the technical merit or feasibility of an idea or technology. It takes approximately 4 months for the agency to make a decision. They can be up to $100,000 for work to be conducted over approximately 6 months
Awards expand Phase I results. During this time, the R&D work is performed and the developer evaluates commercialization potential. Phase II awards can be up to $750,000, for work to be conducted over as many as 2 years. Only Phase I award winners are considered for Phase II.
Is the period during which Phase II innovation moves from the laboratory into the marketplace. No SBIR funds support this phase. The small business must find funding in the private sector or other non-SBIR federal agency funding.
Logistically SBIR can provide up to $850,000 in research and development funds for projects, but naturally there is a hitch. SBIR grants aren't for just any invention, but rather are solicited grants. This means that agencies have specific problems or challenges they need to have solved and your invention must solve that problem for one of the participating agencies. TRENDS role is to help inventors match their inventions with the proper agency and assist in the application procedure for the phased funding.
An Alaskan Business that successfully obtained such a grant with the help of the TREND program is Mind Matters Research LLC (MMR) of Anchorage that recently launched the ENVISION Behavioral Medicine Intervention. The intervention uses non-conventional therapies like imagery, which when integrated into a conventional medical plan on a daily basis, improves recovery time and outcomes for cancer patients and survivors. In fact, after seven years of research, this therapeutic intervention is now available for Alaskan cancer patients and survivors. All patients must be referred by their oncologist, or physician, but MMR will assist with this process. MMR is a preferred provider with Premera Blue Cross, Aetna and Tricare. Other insurance carriers may also be accepted. Call MMR at (907) 868-7737 for more information and specific details of the therapeutic Intervention. Or visit the MMR website - http://www.mindmattersresearch.com
Whether you want to run with the adjustable ladder leg idea (I do expect a kick-back), have another brilliant product that we shouldn't live without, or are ready to partner with a government entity through an SBIR grant, TREND can assist you with creating a development process that makes sense for your project. Call TREND for additional information at 907-274-7232 or visit the website at www.trendalaska.org
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What's cooking at the SBDC?
Visit the SBDC Facebook page to find an event, or class in your area, like the:
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You still have time to hit the Alaska State Fair
Aug 25 - September 5, at the State Fair Grounds in Palmer
This year the Fair is offering an impressive array of musicians and entertainers in addition to the usual attractions. Visit www.alaskastatefair.org for details and to purchase tickets.
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2011 Financial Fitness Fair
Saturday, September 17
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Shiloh Baptist Church
855 E. 20th Avenue
This free event in Anchorage includes workshops on topics such as Homeownership, Dealing with Debt Collectors, Identity Theft, and Estate Planning, as well as informational booths on a variety of topics. Free volunteer tax preparation will also be available at the event.
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It seems as this is happening earlier and earlier every year, but John assured me that is not the case. Its time to get ready for the -
Oxygen & Octane Expo, Alaska's Winter Adventure Show
At the Dena'ina Convention Center
October 7: 4 p.m.-8 p.m
October 8: 10 a.m.-6 p.m
October 9: 10 a.m.-5 p.m
Admission is FREE
VENDORS: Booths are still available, but going fast!
Contact: John Woodbury
john@alaskaadventuremedia.com, 344-2937, 230-2935
On the web: www.oxygenandoctane.com
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And because the Oxygen & Octane Expo announces an impending change in our weather, why not begin planning for the upcoming holiday seasons as well? It seems early, but as someone that has tried to book a Christmas party in October, let me warn you, get on it!
So if you are looking to book a Holiday Party in Fairbanks, be grateful that Alpine Lodge still has some open dates and excellent rates for December and January. Anyone interested should call or email Shelley McCool (yes, that's really her name and yes, she's really that cool!): (907) 328-6375 or smccool@akalpinelodge.com
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Alaska Humanities Forum - GENERAL GRANTS PROGRAM 2012
DRAFTS DUE SEPTEMBER 8 (@10p.m.)
FINAL DEADLINE OCTOBER 3, 2011 (@10p.m.)
Submit a Draft of your Project Proposal
Draft submissions can give a proposal extra polish in a large field of applications. Drafts receive detailed review, and one-on-one feedback is offered to the applicant to strengthen the proposal. First time applicant to the Forum? Draft submissions are a great way to introduce yourself to the Grants Officer!
Visit www.akhf.org for grant guidelines , how to apply and more information on the types of projects that qualify.
------------------------------------------------------------ Annual Day Harbor Rendezvous in Seward September 2 -5, 2011 ------------------------------------------------------- 3rd Annual Business, Marketing & Technology Seminar Monday, September 19th & Tuesday, September 20st at Land's End Resort
Monday - 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM & Tuesday - 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM Event ticket prices are $79 if purchased prior to 9/1/11, $99 after 9/1/11 and at the door.
50% OFF A 2ND TICKET IF YOU BRING SOMEONE FROM YOUR OFFICE Ticket price with a booked room is $59. Price includes a lunch of sandwich, soup and salad on both days. Coffee, tea and water service provided. http://www.endofthespit.com/event-registration.php ------------------------------------------------------------ | 
