LEARN HOW TO TAP INTO A BILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS RESOURCE LEARN HOW TO TAP INTO A BILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS RESOURCE AT THE NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH CONFERENCE, NOVEMBER 3-5, BOSTON'S HYNES CONVENTION CENTER. U.S. federal agencies are preparing to award thousands of R&D grants to high-tech companies through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program -- the nation's largest source of early-stage technology financing. Total SBIR funding is expected to exceed $1.2 billion in fiscal year 1999. The SBIR Program funds U.S.-owned firms with 500 or fewer employees to conduct cutting-edge, innovative R&D that meets the government's mission objectives while also offering commercial applications. The Program funds high-risk projects at the earliest stages of development, typically before companies can attract venture capital. Terms are extremely favorable, and the small business partner keeps the rights to their intellectual property such as patents. You can learn how to apply for, win, and manage SBIR grants by attending the National SBIR Conference on November 3-5, 1998 in the Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street, Boston, MA. Top managers from SBIR-sponsoring agencies and the Small Business Administration will be on hand to discuss their programs and funding opportunities. Seminars will offer practical advice on preparing proposals, raising capital, developing a business plan, protecting intellectual property, marketing, and more. Plus, attendees will have access to over 100,000 square feet of exhibits showcasing new technologies and products to help them meet their engineering and manufacturing challenges. Keynote speakers will include Massachusetts Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry, and Dr. James Taylor, Marketing Director of Iomega Corp. The conference is sponsored by the National Science Foundation in cooperation with the Department of Defense and Small Business Administration. On-site registration opens at 7:00 am on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Fee is $300 per registrant. For more information, call (360) 683-5742 or visit www.zyn.com/sbir. WEB: Information on the National SBIR Conference and SBIR, http://www.zyn.com/sbir. Posted 10/30/98 (W-SN266993).

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