SSTI Digest

Southwestern Pennsylvania is on course to add 11,640 green jobs to its economy by 2015, according to a new report commissioned by two local organizations, the Green Building Alliance and Growing Technology through Energy and Community Health (GTECH) . The region’s green services sector is on the verge of a major boom and will be the driving force in the growth of the green economy, according to the report. The report is bullish about the future of Pittsburgh’s green economy, though it relies on a methodology intended to produce a more conservative estimate of green jobs than other approaches, the authors contend.

In order to maximize the growth of green sectors, the authors recommend that Pittsburgh implement a more coordinated and comprehensive strategy to prepare and train workers for green jobs.

Federal R&D obligations to U.S. universities and colleges between FY 2003 and 2007 did not keep pace with inflation, according to the latest federal data from the National Science Foundation. Obligations were $25.3 billion in FY 2007, an increase of 11.1 percent from FY 2003 totals. The aggregate annual inflation rate for the country was nearly 12.7 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

NSF’s Federal Science and Engineering Support to Universities, Colleges, and Nonprofit Institutions found 40 states experienced an increase in their total federal obligations measured in current dollars over the five-year period. While 28 of the states had a percent increase over the same time period that bested the U.S. average, only 24 states had increases that exceeded the rate of inflation.

New Mexico had the largest percent increase over the five-year period, rising 45.7 percent to $182 million in FY07. Other states increased at least 25 percent from FY03 to FY07: West Virginia, North Dakota, and Tennessee.

The economic circumstances leading up to SSTI’s 13th annual conference make this year’s event critical. We encourage you to join us in Overland Park, Kansas, October 21 – 23, 2009 to Seize the Moment.

This year’s conference will bring together distinguished speakers like Josh Lerner of Harvard Business School and Rob Atkinson of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation who will challenge conventional thinking; experienced practitioners who will share best practices; and, leading individuals who are breaking new ground in their attempts to build a tech-based economies. Plus, we’ll have four stimulating roundtable discussions examining some of the thorniest issues we’re facing—improving metrics that are being used, re-examining equity programs, and engaging universities.

If we have no map, does that mean we’re lost? Hardly. But given the economic turmoil affecting every crossroad of the country, some folks may be having a hard time seeing which road leads in the right direction. This year’s conference will feature two speakers at the forefront of TBED research who will share their insight on how states and regions can prepare themselves for the challenges ahead.

Information Technology and Innovation Foundation founder and president Rob Atkinson will examine the choices we face in strengthening American competitiveness. Atkinson is the author of the State New Economy Index series and the book, The Past And Future Of America’s Economy: Long Waves Of Innovation That Power Cycles Of Growth. He has an extensive background in technology policy, has conducted ground-breaking research projects on technology and innovation, is a valued adviser to state and national policymakers, and a popular speaker on innovation policy nationally and internationally.

SSTI’s pre-conference workshops have received high praise from past participants because of their personalized nature, their dedication to sharing knowledge, and their opportunities to forge worthwhile relationships with other participants. The two pre-conference sessions scheduled on Wednesday, October 21 are no different and will provide plenty of value for those in attendance.

Our extremely popular “Where Do We Start?: Introduction to Technology-Based Economic Development” all-day pre-conference workshop is tailored to professionals new to the field of tech-based economic development. In a format that is engaging, educational and enjoyable, you will discover proven building blocks and programs for creating technology companies, financing high-tech firms, commercializing technology, and developing productive university-industry partnerships.

One of the best takeaways from the SSTI Annual Conference is the personal contacts one can make over the course of the event. Whether it’s chatting with a peer who has led successful economic development initiatives, breaking bread with fund managers at our scheduled Dine-A-Rounds, exchanging contact information with our conference speakers, or playing tennis with a myriad of people in the Wii Room, the upcoming conference will provide plenty of opportunities to make friends and meet other leaders who share your background and hopes for the future.

The SSTI Annual Conference is the tech-based economic development community’s premier event of the year because it brings together hundreds of the practitioners interested in tech-based economic development in one location.

Practitioners just like you.

Developing and implementing a successful TBED initiative that generates substantial economic gain for a state or region is no easy feat. SSTI’s third annual Excellence in TBED awards recognize outstanding achievements in tech-based economic development from innovative programs across the nation, emphasizing impact, strategic value and replicability.

The anticipation has been building for months. Join us in celebration on Thursday, Oct. 22 at lunch for the highly-anticipated unveiling of 2009 Excellence in TBED award recipients when a select group of organizations will join the small ranks of those chosen from across the nation as a best practice in the field of tech-based economic development.

Stories that illustrate how TBED succeeds in improving our nation’s competitiveness are presented during two dedicated breakout sessions following SSTI’s awards ceremony. Conference participants are provided the opportunity to explore the award-winning programs in depth directly with program administrators on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. and Friday at 9:00 a.m.

2007 & 2008 Excellence in TBED Award Winners

SSTI’s Annual Conference offers a rich and rewarding slate of professional development opportunities for seasoned conference veterans and first-timers alike. Each year, SSTI helps connect TBED professionals to the ideas and perspectives making a difference in the regional innovation. The conference also provides a vibrant atmosphere where attendees can connect to the leading thinkers and practitioners in the field. You can expect:

• An exciting mix of sessions incorporating both nuts-and-bolts advice for practitioners and long-range views on the future of technology-based economic development.
• New perspectives on the future of the field and the strategies that will prepare regions for the next economy.
• Stimulating dialogue and networking with the right people within the tech-based economic development community.
• Ample opportunity to connect to colleagues.

Attendees will be able to participate in a number of activities and events that will allow them to network and have fun in a more casual environment. This year’s activities include something for everyone, such as:

SSTI’s 13th Annual Conference is made possible by the support of our host sponsor, the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation (KTEC), and the generous support of our national conference sponsors. SSTI extends its appreciation and thanks to the following exemplary organizations serving as our national sponsors:

• Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
• Greater Oklahoma City Chamber
• Battelle
• National Centers of Excellence (NCOE)
• GSP Consulting
• Monster Public Sector & Education
• Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC)
• Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
• Lytmos Group
• National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP)
• National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Technology Innovation Program (TIP)
• NorTech
• ASMEs Center for Engineering Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEEI)
• Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
• National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)

Missouri Small Business Technology Development Center invites applications for an associate state specialist (counselor). This position serves as a statewide specialist to provide leadership, expertise, and training to University faculty and staff, and private sector clients with SBIR/STTR. A master’s degree in engineering, business, science, or a related area with appropriate coursework and five or more year’s relevant experience are required.

While the U.S. venture capital (VC) industry struggles to recover from the last year’s sudden collapse in fundraising and investment, several regions are successfully rebuilding their venture environment. Venture investment remained far below 2008 levels in the second quarter of 2009, with venture centers such as Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, New York City and Texas falling farther from their lackluster numbers in the first quarter. Other key regions however, such as Philadelphia, and states in the Southwest and Southeast performed at, or near, the level of investment they experienced at the same time last year. Though the industry remains highly volatile, these changes have the potential to narrow the venture funding gap between Silicon Valley and the rest of the country.

"Tapping the Technology Innovation Program and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership"

On October 21, from 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m, SSTI is co-hosting a regional meeting with officials from the Technology Innovation Program (TIP) and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) that we encourage you or one of your colleagues to attend. TIP and MEP are two of the most market-driven programs operated by the federal government. Both programs have launched new investments and innovative services in the last year. The meeting will give you a chance to learn about:

• New federal funding opportunities;
• New resources to support early-stage research;
• New products and services to expand manufacturing;
• New tools to help foster growth and innovation in companies you work with;
• New models to accelerate technology commercialization and translation; and,
• New ideas about ways to integrate state, local and federal investments.

Who should attend?