Minority-Owned Business Leaders to Lead Live Virtual Event Hosted by USSOCOM

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) SBIR program is set to host a live virtual panel discussion titled “Successful Minority Entrepreneurs Talk about Growing an Advanced Technology Firm,” on September 12, 2013 from 2 - 3 pm EDT.

The online event will feature a panel of minority-owned business leaders, all of whom have received Phase II SBIR funding from USSOCOM to help further develop their technologies and innovations.

“The USSOCOM SBIR Program Office is dedicated to encouraging more underserved firms to compete for SBIR award monies to grow their advanced technology firms,” explains Bonny Heet, SBIR Program Manager for USSOCOM. “As Phase II USSOCOM award winners, these outstanding business leaders have proven they can meet warfighter needs and are excellent role models to the SBIR and small business communities.”

The entire Federal SBIR program awards $2 billion to small businesses every year, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is aiming to improve the capability of small research and development businesses with an emphasis on emerging and underserved small firms. These include women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned small businesses — all of which are equally encouraged to compete for USSOCOM SBIR awards.

Mr. Simon Nieh, President and CEO of Front Edge Technology, and Mr. James Brunsch, President of MEMsense, will be among the experts speaking on the panel. Each panelist will have five to six minutes to introduce themselves and their company, followed by a moderator-led interactive discussion on topics such as the SBIR-funding process, working with USSOCOM, and what it takes to achieve transition through the SBIR program. Mr. Erick Littleford of Dawnbreaker, Inc., will moderate the panel.

Dawnbreaker, Inc specializes in providing commercialization assistance to small advanced technology firms and their investors. Since 1990, they have worked with over 6,400 firms that have received funding from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and other federal initiatives.

Anyone interested in this virtual discussion is invited to register online at: http://www.ussocomsbir.com/smb/register.php. Space is limited so please reserve your spot today!