Pennsylvania Resources

Innovation Partnership – IPart

Kelly S. Wylam
Program Manager
Innovation Partnership
(717) 948-4318
inquiry@innovationpartnership.net

Purpose of Initiative

IPart is a consortium of economic development and business assistance organizations throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Under the umbrella of IPart, these partners comprise a single SBIR/STTR federal funding assistance program for the state. Funding opportunities are available through a number of IPart sub-programs, including the MicroGrant Program, MicroVoucher Program, and Travel & Training Assistance Program.

MicroGrant Program Guidelines

IPart offers financial assistance to technology-driven companies in Pennsylvania that are preparing SBIR and STTR grant proposals for submission to federal agencies. MicroGrants are awarded to applicants whose proposal concepts are deemed to have strong potential for competing successfully in federal competition. These candidates may be awarded a MicroGrant of up to $2,000 to defray part of the cost incurred in preparing the proposal. IPart is particularly interested in businesses focusing on clean energy (and energy, in general), bioscience and life sciences, nanotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and communications technology. To be eligible for this program, companies must be located in Pennsylvania; the manufacture or production of commercial products resulting from the proposal should be planned to primarily take place within the state; applicants must meet the requirements set forth in the applicable federal agency solicitation; and applicants who accept this financial assistance must provide an equivalent investment—either in the form of cash or in-kind contribution. Applicants must submit their requests for assistance at least four weeks in advance of the federal agency’s solicitation due date. More information about this program is available through the following website.

MicroVoucher Program Guidelines

Companies that are awarded a MicroVoucher from IPart can receive financial assistance covering one-half of the cost incurred in preparing the proposal, up to a maximum of $3,000. Funding enables companies to engage with a preferred provider to assist in the preparation of their proposal. The eligibility requirements are the same as those outlined for the MicroGrant Program (see above). Applicants must submit their requests for assistance at least four weeks in advance of the federal agency’s solicitation due date. More information about this program is available through the following website.

Travel & Training Assistance Program

Companies may be awarded a Travel & Training award that reimburses one-half of the cost incurred in traveling and training expenses directly related to their SBIR or STTR endeavors, up to a maximum of $1,000. Applicants must be located in Pennsylvania and the subsequent primary manufacture or production of commercial products resulting from the proposal must also be planned to take place within the state. Applicants must have worked with an IPart Member Organization and have completed/received a Pre-Proposal Application Program (PPAP) Review. Applicants who accept this assistance with travel and training are required to provide an equivalent investment, either in the form of cash or in-kind contribution. This program does not cover non-domestic travel and related expenses. Travel and training-related expenditures may be incurred six months in advance of the federal agency’s solicitation due date or six months after. More information about this program is available through the following website.

Updated by Rachel Werth in April 2018

HEADQUARTERS

3161 Union Street
N. Chili, NY 14514

MAILING ADDRESS

Dawnbreaker, Inc.
2117 Buffalo Rd., Suite 193
Rochester, NY 14624

PHONE

(585) 617-9420
Fax: (585) 594-8623

Developing Network Contacts (DevNC)

When you need to reach out...

There are times when you need to reach out to others – whether you are looking for potential customers, potential partners, or potential investors. But who should you call…and how do you address your fear of contacting them. The DevNC is a unique market research tool designed to provide you with between 25 and 30 Points of Contact (PoC). With each POC, information is included that provides insight about the person’s role. Depending on their position, other information commonly included relates to their background, articles that they have written, conference presentations and other pertinent information. This type of information enables you to customize your correspondence. Contact information is also included – typically LinkedIn, email and phone number.

Competitor Analysis

Your customers know your competitors! Do you?

Maybe you believe that you don’t have any competition, but your customers know better! Their needs are being addressed now – perhaps not as well, but if there is a need, someone is providing a solution. Learn about the competition and be prepared to differentiate your solution from that of others. Dawnbreaker’s competitor analysis contrasts your competition on specifications, performance and price. Armed with this information we can help you create a compelling value proposition.

DoD Transition Information Packet (TIP)®

The Transition Information Packet (TIP)is a market research report specifically developed for small businesses working with the Department of Defense.

Customized Market Research (CMR)®

Filling in the gaps in your commercialization strategy….

The CMR provides our team with the greatest flexibility in addressing gaps in the information you need to refine your commercialization strategy. Based strictly on secondary literature, the market researcher can look for information that will help you understand changes in government regulations, market dynamics, emerging solutions, sources of funding, points of contact and other challenges you pose. Based on the information gathered, a business strategist will add comments throughout regarding the implications of the information for your strategy.

LICA Licensee Analysis®

Who will take the best care of your baby?

You’ve done a great job with your R&D. You’ve been careful to protect your intellectual property – but those next steps to bring the product to market seem out of reach. There’s too much competition, scale up would be too expensive – so you’ve decided to license-out your intellectual property. The challenge before you is to find the best licensee to bring your baby to market. Let us help you. We will profile organizations that frequently cite your patents and dig deeper to determine their financial health, technology and market synergies, and experience with licensing-in.