SSTI Digest

Last week, the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) announced the launch of FLCBusiness, an all-inclusive search database that shares information about funding, equipment, know-how, and resources available from the federal lab network for private and public utilization. In a 2011 presidential memorandum, Accelerating Technology Transfer and Commercialization of Federal Research in Support of High-Growth Businesses, President Obama emphasizes the importance of facilitating tech transfer and commercialization through regional public-private partnerships.  In light of this, FLC hopes that FLCBusiness will encourage technology transfer and increase the competitiveness of U.S. private industries by offering an interactive tool that helps them better understand which resources are made available. Read the press release …

With the hopes of better understanding which policy environments encourage and support innovation, new research  from the C.D. Howe Institute, a Canadian public policy thinktank, examines which sectors and provinces drive Canadian patent intensity. Using a new database on patent applications in Canada, the authors find that inventors from Ontario and Alberta, in addition to inventors in the utilities, construction, and computers and electronics sectors produce a disproportionally large share of Canada’s patents, while inventors from Atlantic Canada or in the pharmaceuticals and medical equipment sectors are not producing a large share of patents. 

The Small Business Administration (SBA) released a request for information (RFI) on revisions to two key areas of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) policy directives: SBIR/STTR Phase III policy; and, SBIR/STTR data rights. With regard to SBIR/STTR Phase III Policy, the SBA seeks comments on how to clarify how agencies can make more practical Phase III awards to the small businesses that initially developed the subject technology. In light of recent concerns regarding SBIR/STTR data rights by small business concerns, the SBA seeks comments that provide greater clarity and detail on these issues and recommendations to strengthen the data rights of awardees.  Comments are due January 6, 2015.

On November 20, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) held its annual Government-Business Forum on Small Business Capital Formation. During the daylong event, panelists focused on two important issues – secondary market liquidity for securities of small businesses and the potential revision of accredited investor definition. The SEC has posted both the panelists’ presentations and an archived webcast of the morning session. Presentations from the SEC and the Angel Capital Association (ACA) provide up-to-date statistics and infographics on the potential economic impacts of revising the accredited investor definition, including current share of angel group deals by U.S. region and number of individual/households who would qualify under proposed increase in the threshold for accreditation. 

Over the last couple weeks, governors in Arkansas and Mississippi presented budgets to their stage legislature. In Arkansas, term-limited Gov. Mike Beebe presented two budget proposals for the 2015-17 biennial budget to state lawmakers. However, Gov.-elect Asa Hutchison also will present a budget to the legislature that may differ from Gov. Beebe’s proposal and potentially impact funding for state agencies due to a proposed $100 million individual income tax cut. Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant released his fiscal year 2016 (FY16) executive budget recommendations highlighted by a $52 million increase in funding for public education including a $3 million commitment for the Mississippi Works Scholarship Program.

Though federal support for R&D increased in FY14, federal spending on research and R&D facilities is currently at its lowest point in a decade, according to new data from the National Science Foundation (NSF). After hitting an all-time high in FY09, U.S. federal funding for R&D slid downward for the four years. By FY13, funding for R&D, and R&D plant (buildings and fixed equipment), had fallen by 19.4 percent. Federal funds only began to tick back upward in FY14, when increased support for basic research, agriculture and natural resources led to a 2.4 percent increase. Proposed funding levels for FY15 would again provide a small bump for R&D, but at a rate lower than inflation.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler has proposed a permanent $1.5 billion increase in the cap of the E-rate program as part of the largest overhaul of the initiative in 18 years. The E-rate program is the federal government’s largest educational technology program, funding broadband and wireless access for schools and libraries with a portion of the funds received through the Universal Service fee for interstate communications. Chairman Wheeler notes that the rate increase is necessary to provide high-speed access, including WiFi, to 100 percent of schools, which is needed for a modern STEM curriculum. Read the announcement…

In a new report, the Ohio Board of Regents highlights promising policies to build more competitive innovation economies by tapping into the skills, knowledge and entrepreneurship of women, African-Americans, rural residents and other underrepresented populations. The review includes models pioneered by community organizations, academic institutions, entrepreneurship support organizations, philanthropies and tech-based economic development groups that draw traditionally underrepresented residents into innovation networks and ensure that benefits of the high-tech economy reach people of all backgrounds. The board’s Subcommittee on Inclusive Competitiveness provides specific recommendations for the state’s university system, including support for the Believe in Ohio Youth STEM Commercialization and Entrepreneurship program and the Choose Ohio First Scholarship. Download the report…

More and more established companies are trying to keep pace with technological changes by increasing their presence in the startup community. Although some companies choose to locate divisions such as software in places like the Bay Area, others are taking a more hands-on approach. Corporate accelerators function as startup accelerators that receive significant and public support from established firms such as financial investments, privileged access to resources, official endorsements by the corporation, as well as continued organizational ties. These accelerators, which continue to emerge both in the United States and abroad, illustrate a full-fledged trend in how established firms are using the startup model to innovate within their industries.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is accepting proposals for a national partner to help coordinate the Accelerating Industry-led Regional Partnerships for Talent Development Program – a nationwide learning exchange that will focus on building critical regional partnerships to accelerate job-skills development across United States. In addition to administering the learning exchange, the awardee will be tasked to identify, promote, and expand upon successful best practices for industry-driven regional partnerships for talent development. The EDA anticipates one award of approximately $500,000 will be made. Eligibility is restricted to U.S. states, local governments, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations. Proposals are due January 9, 2015. Read the funding announcement (EDA-REGIONAL-TALENT-2014)…

Incumbent governors in Colorado and Montana released their budget proposals this month, with both of the proposed budgets including provisions that prioritize infrastructure spending, workforce development programs, and education. Infrastructure and capital projects in particular were popular among the proposed budgets, with Colorado’s budget allocating $281.6 million to improve technology infrastructure and Montana allocating $300 million for infrastructure, including $45 million to Eastern Montana communities impacted by oil and gas development. Notable provisions within the proposed budgets that are related to economic development are detailed below.

Colorado

Over the last several years, universities have been forced to reimagine ways that they engage with alumni beyond the traditional method of fundraising via alumni donations. These universities and their alumni associations want to increase alumni involvement and facilitate interactions between their high-achieving alumni, faculty, and students. Over this same time span, many universities have increased the size and scope of their entrepreneurship curricula and degree programs. These two trends have started to merge as there has been a rise in the number of alumni angel networks that connect the talents and capital of alumni with faculty and students looking to launch an entrepreneurial venture.