SBIR/Commercialization Assistance Providers

The Montana Innovation Partnership powered by TechLink works with many small businesses as they work to submit competitive SBIR/STTR proposals. We collaborate with our partners to make sure we can connect our clients with additional resources so they may seek additional investments and support services as they grow and scale their tech-based business in Montana. All of our services are provided at no cost to the client.

Some companies may wish to acquire additional paid services to help prepare their SBIR proposals or commercialize SBIR funded technology.

Listed below are a handful of vetted service providers who can provide fee-based consulting services. Most of the consulting firms listed below may also serve as TABA providers.

What is TABA?

Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) is additional funding for SBIR awardees to cover costs outside of what your award may cover without reducing the budget for your technical work. Official TABA vendors are approved organizations the agencies pay to be subcontracted by your firm for your specific assistance needs. It is required that you request to receive TABA in either your Phase I or Phase II proposal. TABA provides support for SBIR awardees to help make better technical decisions on SBIR projects, solve technical problems that arise during SBIR projects, minimize the technical risks associated with SBIR projects, and to help commercialize the SBIR product or process. In your cost proposal, you will include the information about your selected vendor. Be aware that receiving TABA makes your firm ineligible to use agencies’ commercialization assistance programs. Be sure to examine the service providers your agency offers, and select the best option for your firm.

May I use a TABA vendor that is different from the agency appointed provider?

Sometimes. Check the terms described in the solicitation. If allowed, you may be able to use TABA funds to hire a qualified consultant to perform the activities covered by TABA. These providers offer expertise and knowledge from years of SBIR support experience. If the agency does not offer TABA, or you have the funds to pursue outside support, the vendors below may be available on a for-fee basis to assist your company.

The following is a collection of vetted potential TABA providers as well as some Montana based resources for legal, accounting, and grant-writing services. The SBIR training and support services of the Montana Innovation Partnership are provided at no-cost to Montana-based companies. We cannot, however, be a designated TABA provider, but our independent contractors listed below can.

Companies offering TABA and SBIR Commercialization assistance

BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting, LLC (BBCetc) works with technology-based entrepreneurs and companies throughout the U.S. on strategies to advance their R&D efforts to commercialization. The BBCetc team is nationally recognized for its success in helping clients secure federal funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. BBCetc services include /STTR training, proposal development consulting, post-award management and TABA commercialization assistance. With expertise in all 11 participating federal agencies, the BBCetc team has reviewed over 3,000 proposals since 2000 and trained thousands more on how to prepare compelling SBIR/STTR proposals and integrate SBIR/STTR funding into their overall funding strategy.

Jayne Berkaw
(734) 930-9741
jayne@bbcetc.com
www.bbcetc.com

Dawnbreaker has helped thousands of companies implement strategies that have proven effective in bringing SBIR/STTR funded technologies to both the defense and commercial markets. Our team of business acceleration managers, market researchers and graphic designers provides the tools, the information and the access needed to be successful.

Lyn Barnett
585-617-9493
lbarnett@dawnbreaker.com
taba.dawnbreaker.com

Dawnbreaker also provides Phase 0 support for energy. This is funded by the Department of Energy and is completely FREE to eligible small businesses and qualified individuals who commit to form a company should they win a DOE SBIR/STTR award. Eligible parties receive one or more specialized services following an initial assessment by a member of the Dawnbreaker team. Optional services include:

Letter of Intent (LOI) writing assistance
Phase I Proposal Preparation, Review and Registration Assistance
Market Research Assistance
Technology Advice and Consultation
Intellectual Property Consultation
Indirect Rates and Financials
Travel Assistance

Christopher Kaufman
(585) 617-6205
ckaufman@dawnbreaker.com
www.dawnbreaker.com/doephase0/

Market Analysis- reviewing competitive technologies, market size and dynamics
Expert/End-User Interviews for Insights and Market Validation
IP Landscape Review
IP Strategy Consultation
Product Development Consultation
Regulatory Path-to-Market Consultation
Market Entry Launch Strategy
Company Resource and Team Building
Manufacturing Strategy Consultation
Fundraising Strategy Development
Financial Plan Review
Web Presence and Social Media Consultation
Preparation of Marketing Materials
Identification and Outreach to Potential Partners
Technology Representation at Trade Shows, Conferences, or Events
Deal Terms Advisory

Larta Institute, founded in Los Angeles in 1993, is an internationally recognized and mission-driven innovation accelerator that provides a runway of success for world-changing ideas in technology, healthcare, agriculture and energy. Larta Institute has helped more than 10,000 companies transform ideas into commercialized innovations that feed, fuel and heal the world. With a global network of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, industry leaders, research institutions, government agencies and support organizations, Larta conducts commercialization assistance programs throughout the U.S. and in more than 20 countries. Larta provides proposal assistance from start to finish.

Alyssa Belleville (Nacewicz)
1-401-273-4844 ext. 4004
alyssa@ForesightST.com
www.ForesightST.com

www.larta.org

Additional SBIR Consulting Companies

Inspiralia provides a multitude of services for the SBIR program. Inspiralia helps you execute your R&D project and access R&D funding through project validation, step by step help with multiple edits and submissions and support in compliance and administrative management.

Eric Fiklocki, VP Operations
1-954-292-5024
eric.fiklocki@inspiralia.com
sbir.inspiralia.com

Consultants providing assistance for MTIP clients who may also be available for private consulting services like TABA, market research, and commercialization assistance

Christie Bell, Incorporated

Christie Bell® Incorporated consultants provide high-tech business management expertise to achieve the commercial development of innovative products and services. Our goal is to give traction to your ideas, making key connections to business opportunities such as licensing-in, licensing out, and strategic partnering. Christie Bell® Incorporated clients are highly driven success-oriented entrepreneurs from large and small firms who understand the difference professional experience and know-how can make in pro-actively building smart performance – performance that can be measured in commercial revenue, and deal producing professional relationships.

Christie Bell
(406) 924-8440
christie@christiebell.com
www.christiebell.com

Greenwood Consulting Group, Inc.

We specialize in two areas of importance to Small Business: Business Incubators and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. Greenwood Consulting Group, Inc. has been active in making firms aware of the opportunity, teaching them how to write competitive technical and cost proposals for funding and offering individuals assistance including draft proposal reviews and brainstorming on proposal strategy and content. They have now taught thousands of entrepreneurs in 48 states and Puerto Rico. They also are regular instructors of Phase I and Phase II proposal preparation workshops at national and regional conferences.

Training services include:

Phase I Overview and Proposal Preparation.
Phase II Proposal Preparation
Cost Proposal and Government Accounting
The Business Side of SBIR
Commercialization

Jim Greenwood
(239) 395-9446
gail-jim@g-jgreenwood.com
g-jgreenwood.com

EKase Consulting

EKase Consulting delivers strategic consulting to business owners and top management who are trying to move from ideas and technology to products that solve their customers’ problems and produce revenue. With a focus on small to medium enterprises, 20+ years of leadership in marketing, business development, and professional services EKase Consulting defines the value proposition you provide to your customers. Technologies include software, medical devices, scientific instrumentation, aerospace systems, and pharmaceutical technologies.

Providing strategies and actionable plans that leverage core competencies, incorporate industry best practices, and provide a detailed roadmap with measurable milestones for achieving goals. Can provide organizations with:

Strategic planning consulting, facilitation, and execution
Fractional business development
Business plan development
Facilitate Business Model Canvas / Value Proposition Canvas
Marketing plan creation and execution
Market assessments
SBIR/STTR commercialization plans
Pricing and product positioning
Channel development plans
New product launches

Ed Kase, MBA
ed.kase@ekaseconsulting.com
(303) 641-3645
www.ekaseconsulting.com

Montana Based Additional Assistance

Grant Writing

Catherine Jones Associates

Providing prospect research, grant writing, grant review, and grant consulting. Our experienced grant writers have raised millions of dollars in support from foundations, corporations, the federal government and individual donors.

Catherine Jones
(406) 531-2727
catherine@catherinejonesassociates.com
www.catherinejonesassociates.com

Accounting Expertise

Shelly Davis

Promoting economic development by assisting small businesses (both for-profit and not-for-profit) with their accounting needs. Expert in QuickBooks and have worked with Deltek-Costpoint and JAMIS accounting systems. Specializing in federal accounting rules & regulations. Can assist with Indirect Cost Rate (ICR) proposals, incurred cost (ICE) submittals, DCAA compliance, SBIR & STTR budgets as well as grant/contract management and reporting. Additionally will fill the role of “Rent a CFO” for small companies in need of interim support.

Areas of Expertise:

Business Consulting
Internal Audit and Controls
Not-for-Profit Accntg and Auditing
Not-For-Profit Grant Management
Quickbooks

Shelly Davis
(406) 490-0129
shelly@michelekdavispllc.com
www.mscpa.org/find_a_cpa/119-michele_shelly_davis

Legal Assistance

Tease Law

Registered patent attorney practicing in the areas of intellectual property and technology law. Before forming her own law firm in 2003, Ms. Tease was General Counsel for Rocky Mountain Technology Group, Inc., a software development company with its worldwide headquarters in Billings, Montana. Represented clients in both high-tech and traditional industries in intellectual property matters. Currently a member of the Montana World Trade Center Tech Export Team.

Antoinette Tease
(406) 294-9000
toni@teaselaw.com
www.teaselaw.com

Shane Coleman

Registered patent attorney with a background in electrical engineering, Approaches cases with a technical understanding that many of clients rely on. Concentration on intellectual property law, including prosecution and litigation of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Litigation practice includes intellectual property, construction, employment, bankruptcy, and other commercial disputes. Has represented clients before Montana state and federal courts, Federal Appellate Courts, the Montana Supreme Court, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and administrative agencies.

Shane Coleman
(406) 252-2166
spcoleman@hollandhart.com
www.hollandhart.com/spcoleman

Montana Innovation Partnership

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