Developing a Technology or
Innovation-Based Business
If your business focus is on innovation, new technology development, or new applications of existing technology, we want to help. You can receive personalized consulting and research at no cost.
Who We Serve
Our assistance to Arkansas innovation-based businesses is focused on the following:
- Entrepreneurs using engineering, science, or technology to develop new products, services, or processes
- Entrepreneurs who have ideas for innovative products or services that apply existing technology in new ways
- Entrepreneurs engaged in biosciences, engineering, agriculture, information technology, and similar high-tech areas
- University researchers interested in establishing new ventures to commercialize research
- Organizations supporting technology transfer and commercialization that benefits Arkansas small business
What We Do
The ASBTDC’s services are based on the individual needs of our innovation-based small business customers. Generally, they include:
Technology Business Planning
- Business plan development and plan reviews
- Market research and analysis
- Basics of intellectual property
- Commercialization assessment and strategies
Alternative Financing
- Assistance in understanding and accessing R&D money
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
- Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
- Equity financing opportunities in the state of Arkansas
- Angel capital
- Venture capital
- Traditional financing sources
Market Research
- Market, customer, and industry analysis
- Demographics
- Competitor identification
- Industry benchmarks
- GIS mapping
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
The ASBTDC provides assistance to research-capable Arkansas small businesses to access federal R&D dollars. We help small businesses:
- Navigate 11 federal agencies that fund R&D projects under the SBIR/STTR programs
- Draft proposals
- Review proposals and budgets using agency technical criteria
- Find institutional and company partners to provide research expertise
- Locate research topics that align with project ideas
- Enhance commercialization plans with state-of-the-art market research data
Events
The ASBTDC offers a wide variety of events on topics relevant to innovation-based entrepreneurs, such as SBIR/STTR, intellectual property, and market research. See our calendar for more information.
You can also access SBIR/STTR online tutorials at sbir.gov/tutorials.
Call On Us
Karen Bergh, ASBTDC Innovation Specialist
kbergh@ualr.edu | 501-831-2584
Catherine Corley, ASBTDC Business and Innovation Consultant
cc112@uark.edu | 479-575-5148
