- “I learned fundamental
business concepts I could put to use immediately”
– Sergeant in Lost Angeles law enforcement unit turned
entrepreneur.
- “I learned how to think
about marketing – it is not a formula. The workshop highlighted the
most important issues and presented the concepts simply. Our firm
has established partnership criteria and identifies what we need
from a partner on a project by project basis.”
– Team leader at smaller R&D firm with many SBIR awards.
- “I learned I had to look
at the whole project – including market and business issues – and
watch for ‘exogenous factors’ that could affect commercialization.
This program is not offered to SBIR participants…it put me 100 miles
ahead of them.”
– Scientist who left R&D firm to start his own company. When the
technology did not work he returned to the R&D firm where he
continues to develop new technology for the marketplace.
- “The Innovation Process
Chart explained to me why you can’t just leave scientists alone to
do ‘science for the sake of science.’ They need to work with a
market-oriented person to learn what a customer wants and how to
explain the technology solution in terms a customer can understand.”
– Business development specialist for major government
contractor.
- “You didn’t just get paid
and walk away.”
– a serial entrepreneur from a small firm acquired by a much
larger firm. After the acquisition he returned to working with small
start-up firms.
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