TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER &
SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH

July 21, 2021 at 1:00 PM ET

Hosted by:
U.S. Department of Commerce
Minority Business Development Agency
U.S. Small Business Administration
Federal Laboratory Consortium

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TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER &
SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH

How can entrepreneurs and innovators like you access the country’s largest source of early-stage funding?

Join the MBDA InVision Tour on Wednesday, July 21 to discover opportunities to advance your business through
the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
Also known as America’s Seed Fund, the SBIR/STTR program invests
$4 billion annually in technology transfer and small business innovation research.

During this virtual event, we will take you inside the minds of successful companies participating
in the SBIR/STTR program and provide you with opportunities to connect one-on-one with federal agency representatives.
You’ll also learn what entities like the Federal Lab Consortium, Minority Serving Institutions,
and Historically Black Colleges and Universities prioritize in research and development partnerships.

Click here for additional resources provided by the Federal Laboratory Consortium and the Small Business Administration.

MEET THE SPEAKERS:

Eric Adolphe is the founder and CEO of Forward Edge-AI, Inc., and co-founder of GovFlex.com. Eric is the first Black Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Tibbett’s Award Winner, and recent winner of the Service to the Citizens, and Federal Computer Week (FCW)/Fed100 awards.  Eric currently serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) on a National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR, where he leads a research team developing anti-smishing/anti-vishing technology.  Eric also serves as the commercialization lead on Forward Edge-AI’s Air Force Phase I SBIR to develop a handheld device that can detect biological pathogens including COVID-19, and chemical weapon attacks. Eric’s previous work included the development of NASA’s EPIC System, which was successfully commercialized and has proven instrumental in rocket launch safety and building the International Space Station. As a result, Eric received one of NASA’s highest honors – “Recognition for Creative Development of a Scientific Contribution that has been determined to be of Significant Value in the Advancement of Aerospace Technology.” Eric's technologies can also be found in every air traffic control facility in the United States, and as a result, he is a National Inventors Hall of Fame Honoree and has been an MIT Lemelson Prize finalist.Eric holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BEEE) degree from the City College of New York (CCNY), and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.

Eric Adolphe is the founder and CEO of Forward Edge-AI, Inc., and co-founder of GovFlex.com. Eric is the first Black Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Tibbett’s Award Winner, and recent winner of the Service to the Citizens, and Federal Computer Week (FCW)/Fed100 awards.  Eric currently serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) on a National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR, where he leads a research team developing anti-smishing/anti-vishing technology.  Eric also serves as the commercialization lead on Forward Edge-AI’s Air Force Phase I SBIR to develop a handheld device that can detect biological pathogens including COVID-19, and chemical weapon attacks.

Eric’s previous work included the development of NASA’s EPIC System, which was successfully commercialized and has proven instrumental in rocket launch safety and building the International Space Station. As a result, Eric received one of NASA’s highest honors – “Recognition for Creative Development of a Scientific Contribution that has been determined to be of Significant Value in the Advancement of Aerospace Technology.” Eric's technologies can also be found in every air traffic control facility in the United States, and as a result, he is a National Inventors Hall of Fame Honoree and has been an MIT Lemelson Prize finalist.

Eric holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BEEE) degree from the City College of New York (CCNY), and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.

Eric Adolphe

Founder & CEO
Forward Edge-AI, Inc.

Co-Founder
GovFlex.com

The foundation of TQI is based on Dr. Alemu’s experience as a Clinical Psychologist and leading a large community behavioral health agency for more than 15 years. In addition, Dr. Alemu has been a subject matter expert in the treatment of pediatric trauma and working with Medicaid Managed-care Organizations and policymakers for quality, affordable mental health care for children and adolescents from low-income communities.

The foundation of TQI is based on Dr. Alemu’s experience as a Clinical Psychologist and leading a large community behavioral health agency for more than 15 years. In addition, Dr. Alemu has been a subject matter expert in the treatment of pediatric trauma and working with Medicaid Managed-care Organizations and policymakers for quality, affordable mental health care for children and adolescents from low-income communities.

Yared Alemu, Ph.D.

Founder & CEO
TQIntelligence, Inc.

Donna M. Ennis, C.P.F provides leadership across all EI2 units to develop collaborative funding opportunities and provide support and services to assure the integration of diversity and inclusion into EI2’s programs and operations.  A certified professional facilitator, Ennis serves as director and operator representative for the Atlanta Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business & Advanced Manufacturing Centers and the SE MBDA Business Growth Hub.  In this role, she provides strategic direction, marketing, outreach, and operations for the Centers and the Business Growth Hub and business assistance to Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs). Under Ennis’ leadership, the Centers have assisted companies in generating over $6.4 billion in contracts, financing, and sales and creating or retaining more than 6,000 jobs.  Known for her thought leadership and passion for developing MBEs and small businesses, Ennis has been at the forefront of helping MBEs learn and understand the role that technology plays in scaling businesses and has launched her Technology Enabled, Technology Owned platform.  She established the NEXTTECH initiative for MBEs to bring technology solutions to federal agencies and corporations and launched the Healthcare Expert Alliance Round Table (HEART) for MBEs from all industries to connect with leaders in healthcare for opportunities, knowledge about trends, and relationship building.  Ennis played a key role in MBDA’s five-city InVision Tour initiative for technology transfer, serving as a speaker and partner in the development of the program.  She has mentored hundreds of business owners and frequently presents to audiences on minority business issues, business challenges, and entrepreneurial ecosystems.Ennis received her Master of Public Administration from Georgia State University and a B.S. in communications from Boston University. She is a graduate of the Leading Women@Tech program, is one of Georgia Tech’s Faces of Inclusive Excellence, an awardee of the Georgia Tech Women Out Front program, has been named a tenured Atlanta’s Top 100 Black Women of Influence by the Atlanta Business League and has been listed in the 2019 edition of Who’s Who in Black America. Ennis is on the Board of Directors of the Healthcare Supplier Diversity Alliance (HSDA) and the Atlanta Business League, and the Board of Advisors of Enhanced Capital and the Georgia Hispanic Contractors Association. She is a mentor for Emory University’s Start: ME business accelerator and Georgia Tech’s MentorTech program.

Donna M. Ennis, C.P.F provides leadership across all EI2 units to develop collaborative funding opportunities and provide support and services to assure the integration of diversity and inclusion into EI2’s programs and operations.  A certified professional facilitator, Ennis serves as director and operator representative for the Atlanta Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business & Advanced Manufacturing Centers and the SE MBDA Business Growth Hub.  In this role, she provides strategic direction, marketing, outreach, and operations for the Centers and the Business Growth Hub and business assistance to Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs). Under Ennis’ leadership, the Centers have assisted companies in generating over $6.4 billion in contracts, financing, and sales and creating or retaining more than 6,000 jobs. 

Known for her thought leadership and passion for developing MBEs and small businesses, Ennis has been at the forefront of helping MBEs learn and understand the role that technology plays in scaling businesses and has launched her Technology Enabled, Technology Owned platform.  She established the NEXTTECH initiative for MBEs to bring technology solutions to federal agencies and corporations and launched the Healthcare Expert Alliance Round Table (HEART) for MBEs from all industries to connect with leaders in healthcare for opportunities, knowledge about trends, and relationship building.  Ennis played a key role in MBDA’s five-city InVision Tour initiative for technology transfer, serving as a speaker and partner in the development of the program.  She has mentored hundreds of business owners and frequently presents to audiences on minority business issues, business challenges, and entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Ennis received her Master of Public Administration from Georgia State University and a B.S. in communications from Boston University. She is a graduate of the Leading Women@Tech program, is one of Georgia Tech’s Faces of Inclusive Excellence, an awardee of the Georgia Tech Women Out Front program, has been named a tenured Atlanta’s Top 100 Black Women of Influence by the Atlanta Business League and has been listed in the 2019 edition of Who’s Who in Black America. Ennis is on the Board of Directors of the Healthcare Supplier Diversity Alliance (HSDA) and the Atlanta Business League, and the Board of Advisors of Enhanced Capital and the Georgia Hispanic Contractors Association. She is a mentor for Emory University’s Start: ME business accelerator and Georgia Tech’s MentorTech program.

Donna M. Ennis, C.P.F.

Project Director
MBDA Business Center-Atlanta

Don Graves is the 19th Deputy Secretary of Commerce. Graves brings decades of experience in the private sector, government, and nonprofits to the Department of Commerce. Most recently, he served as Counselor to President Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential campaign. Prior to that, Graves served as Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Responsibility and Community Relations at KeyBank. In this role, Graves led KeyBank’s corporate responsibility team, including the bank’s $16.5 billion National Community Benefits Plan, the bank’s sustainability work, stakeholder engagement, and outreach, and oversaw the KeyBank Foundation and the First Niagara Foundation.  During the Obama-Biden Administration, Graves served as Counselor and Domestic and Economic Policy Director for then-Vice President Biden. He was previously appointed by President Barack Obama as Executive Director of the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness and led the federal government’s efforts in the economic recovery of the city of Detroit. Graves also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Small Business, Community Development, and Housing Policy at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he oversaw the CDFI Fund, the $4 billion Small Business Lending Fund, and the $1.5 billion State Small Business Credit Initiative. He was also the U.S. Federal Representative to the G7 Task Force on Social Impact Investment.  

Don Graves is the 19th Deputy Secretary of Commerce. 

Graves brings decades of experience in the private sector, government, and nonprofits to the Department of Commerce. Most recently, he served as Counselor to President Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential campaign. Prior to that, Graves served as Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Responsibility and Community Relations at KeyBank. In this role, Graves led KeyBank’s corporate responsibility team, including the bank’s $16.5 billion National Community Benefits Plan, the bank’s sustainability work, stakeholder engagement, and outreach, and oversaw the KeyBank Foundation and the First Niagara Foundation.  

During the Obama-Biden Administration, Graves served as Counselor and Domestic and Economic Policy Director for then-Vice President Biden. He was previously appointed by President Barack Obama as Executive Director of the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness and led the federal government’s efforts in the economic recovery of the city of Detroit. Graves also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Small Business, Community Development, and Housing Policy at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he oversaw the CDFI Fund, the $4 billion Small Business Lending Fund, and the $1.5 billion State Small Business Credit Initiative. He was also the U.S. Federal Representative to the G7 Task Force on Social Impact Investment.  

Don Graves

Deputy Secretary of Commerce
U.S Department of Commerce

On September 27, 1999, Ms. McCloud became the first career Senior Executive Service manager to serve at MBDA in over 10 years. In her position as Associate Director for Management, Ms. McCloud serves as the principal advisor to the MBDA Director and Deputy Director on management policy and practices and as liaison and coordinator of the various administrative functions of the Agency. The programs and activities under her control have a major impact on the overall operations of the Agency and its mission of fostering the growth and development of the Nation's minority-owned businesses.

On September 27, 1999, Ms. McCloud became the first career Senior Executive Service manager to serve at MBDA in over 10 years. In her position as Associate Director for Management, Ms. McCloud serves as the principal advisor to the MBDA Director and Deputy Director on management policy and practices and as liaison and coordinator of the various administrative functions of the Agency. The programs and activities under her control have a major impact on the overall operations of the Agency and its mission of fostering the growth and development of the Nation's minority-owned businesses.

Edith McCloud

Associate Director for Management
Minority Business Development Agency

Paige Peters is the founder and CEO of Rapid Radicals Technology, LLC, and a PhD student in Civil Engineering at Marquette University. Paige also received her B.S. (’11) and M.S. (’19) in Civil Engineering from Marquette. She founded Rapid Radicals in 2016 to commercialize her graduate research on the development of an advanced high-rate wastewater treatment system. In 2019, Rapid Radicals received an NSF STTR Phase I award. Paige participated in and mentored with the NSF I-Corps program before joining the Milwaukee site teaching team in July 2020. Paige is also a professional mentor for the UW-Madison student chapter of Engineers Without Borders on water supply and distribution projects in Guatemala.

Paige Peters is the founder and CEO of Rapid Radicals Technology, LLC, and a PhD student in Civil Engineering at Marquette University. Paige also received her B.S. (’11) and M.S. (’19) in Civil Engineering from Marquette. She founded Rapid Radicals in 2016 to commercialize her graduate research on the development of an advanced high-rate wastewater treatment system. In 2019, Rapid Radicals received an NSF STTR Phase I award. Paige participated in and mentored with the NSF I-Corps program before joining the Milwaukee site teaching team in July 2020. Paige is also a professional mentor for the UW-Madison student chapter of Engineers Without Borders on water supply and distribution projects in Guatemala.

Paige Peters

Founder & CEO
Rapid Radicals Technology, LLC

Photo by TMD Enterprises.Dr. Jennifer Shieh advances technology commercialization through the Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs, building partnerships and coordinating policy across the 11 participating Federal agencies. She served as the Assistant Director for Entrepreneurship at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), where she led national efforts to improve the transfer of federally-funded technologies from lab-to-market, advance Federal agency coordination on R&D infrastructure, and champion open innovation through prizes and citizen science. Previously, she managed the Small Business Program for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and served as a Program Director at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) SBIR Development Center, having joined NCI as a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow. She was involved in product and customer development at Syapse, a precision medicine-focused startup, and mobile games startup Subversus Interactive. Dr. Shieh studied brain and cognitive sciences at MIT, then earned her PhD in neurosciences at Stanford University. She is co-author of the textbook Guide to Research Techniques in Neuroscience.

Photo by TMD Enterprises.

Dr. Jennifer Shieh advances technology commercialization through the Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs, building partnerships and coordinating policy across the 11 participating Federal agencies. She served as the Assistant Director for Entrepreneurship at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), where she led national efforts to improve the transfer of federally-funded technologies from lab-to-market, advance Federal agency coordination on R&D infrastructure, and champion open innovation through prizes and citizen science. Previously, she managed the Small Business Program for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and served as a Program Director at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) SBIR Development Center, having joined NCI as a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow. She was involved in product and customer development at Syapse, a precision medicine-focused startup, and mobile games startup Subversus Interactive. Dr. Shieh studied brain and cognitive sciences at MIT, then earned her PhD in neurosciences at Stanford University. She is co-author of the textbook Guide to Research Techniques in Neuroscience.

Jennifer Shieh

Chief Scientist and Program Manager
Office of Innovation and Technology
Office of Investment and Innovation
U.S. Small Business Administration

Patricia Tomczyszyn, Inclusive Innovation Initiative Program Manager for the Minority Business Development Agency has been a public servant for most her career. Her work includes 18 years as Customer Relations Manager and Special Projects Officer for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in Washington, DC. Shortly after joining the Federal Government in 2012, Ms. Tomczyszyn learned about technology transfer and is now passionate about sharing the “nation’s largest seed fund” with minority-owned businesses, HBCUs, tribal colleges and other minority-serving institutions.She developed the MBDA InVision Tour, which travels nationwide to demonstrate how minority Industrialists and Innovators can access grant funding for R&D; license government technologies to develop new products; and utilize Federal Government laboratories and equipment to develop new products.

Patricia Tomczyszyn, Inclusive Innovation Initiative Program Manager for the Minority Business Development Agency has been a public servant for most her career. Her work includes 18 years as Customer Relations Manager and Special Projects Officer for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in Washington, DC. Shortly after joining the Federal Government in 2012, Ms. Tomczyszyn learned about technology transfer and is now passionate about sharing the “nation’s largest seed fund” with minority-owned businesses, HBCUs, tribal colleges and other minority-serving institutions.

She developed the MBDA InVision Tour, which travels nationwide to demonstrate how minority Industrialists and Innovators can access grant funding for R&D; license government technologies to develop new products; and utilize Federal Government laboratories and equipment to develop new products.

Patricia Tomczyszyn

Inclusive Innovation Program Manager
Minority Business Development Agency

Dr. Thome is the Director of Research Development at the MSI STEM Research & Development Consortium (MSRDC). MSRDC focuses on creating collaborative environments for members and research & development partners to promote innovation, commercialization, and technology leadership. MSRDC enables research opportunities for member institutions to ensure sponsoring Government agencies maintain and enhance their science and technology priorities. Throughout his post-benchtop career Dr. Thome has focused on developing and supporting science and technology partnerships; whether internationally in the Middle East and North Africa, with uniformed and civilian members across the Department of Defense, and between Universities and Government sponsors. In the academic sector, he has led research development and team science efforts, and managed cooperative training programs with tribal colleges in the Southwest United States. He received his Ph.D. in Systems Neuroscience from the University of Arizona, focusing on memory, virtual reality, and age-related cognitive decline. Following a postdoc at the University of Rochester, he served in the Department of Defense as AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow. When he isn’t thinking about innovation policy, partnerships, and inclusion, he enjoys spending time with his family and running in the mountains around Tucson, AZ. He is 0-2 in mountain lion encounters and hopes to keep it that way.

Dr. Thome is the Director of Research Development at the MSI STEM Research & Development Consortium (MSRDC). MSRDC focuses on creating collaborative environments for members and research & development partners to promote innovation, commercialization, and technology leadership. MSRDC enables research opportunities for member institutions to ensure sponsoring Government agencies maintain and enhance their science and technology priorities.

Throughout his post-benchtop career Dr. Thome has focused on developing and supporting science and technology partnerships; whether internationally in the Middle East and North Africa, with uniformed and civilian members across the Department of Defense, and between Universities and Government sponsors. In the academic sector, he has led research development and team science efforts, and managed cooperative training programs with tribal colleges in the Southwest United States.

He received his Ph.D. in Systems Neuroscience from the University of Arizona, focusing on memory, virtual reality, and age-related cognitive decline. Following a postdoc at the University of Rochester, he served in the Department of Defense as AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow.

When he isn’t thinking about innovation policy, partnerships, and inclusion, he enjoys spending time with his family and running in the mountains around Tucson, AZ. He is 0-2 in mountain lion encounters and hopes to keep it that way.

Alex Thome, Ph.D.

Director of Research Development
MSI STEM Research & Development Consortium (MSRDC)

Paul Zielinski, Executive Director of the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC), supports over 300 federal labs in moving federal technologies from the laboratory to market. Prior to this role, Paul spent over 30 years in government service across several agencies, including leading government-wide policy workgroups for technology transfer. Mr. Zielinski has an MS in Engineering, an MBA, a bachelor’s degree in biology, and a Master’s Certificate in Leadership from the Federal Executive Institute.

Paul Zielinski, Executive Director of the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC), supports over 300 federal labs in moving federal technologies from the laboratory to market. Prior to this role, Paul spent over 30 years in government service across several agencies, including leading government-wide policy workgroups for technology transfer. Mr. Zielinski has an MS in Engineering, an MBA, a bachelor’s degree in biology, and a Master’s Certificate in Leadership from the Federal Executive Institute.

Paul Zielinski

Executive Director
Federal Laboratory Consortium

Agenda:

1:00 PM ET | Welcome

1:05 PM ET | Opening Remarks

Presented by: Edith McCloud (MBDA)

1:10 PM ET | Department of Commerce Remarks

Presented by: Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Don Graves

1:15 PM ET | Special Initiatives with SBIR

Presented by: Jennifer Shieh (SBA)

1:30 PM ET | The Federal Lab Consortium Presentation

Presented by: Paul Zielinski (FLC)

1:50 PM ET | Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) Success Stories Panel

Moderated by: Donna Ennis (MBDA)
Panelist(s): Eric Adolphe (Forward Edge-AI, Inc. & GovFlex.com), Dr. Yared Alemu (TQIntelligence) and Paige Peters (Rapid Radicals Technology, LLC)

2:50 PM ET | Partnering with Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) & Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Presentation

Presented by: Alex Thome (MSRDC)

3:10 PM ET | Closing Call to Action: Making the Most of your One-on-One Meetings

Presented by: Patricia Tomczyszyn (MBDA)

3:20 PM ET | Event Concludes & One-on-One Meetings Begin

About the Sessions:

Special Initiatives with SBIR Session:

Presented by: Jennifer Shieh (SBA)

The risk and expense of conducting R&D are often beyond the means of small businesses. By reserving a specific percentage of federal R&D funds for small business, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs enable you to compete on the same level as larger businesses. These programs fund critical firm startup and development stages and encourage the commercialization of the technology, product, or service, which, in turn, stimulates the U.S. economy. 

The Federal Lab Consortium Presentation:

Presented by: Paul Zielinski (FLC)

Assuming it’s time for you to reach out to laboratory professionals and form beneficial relationships that will assist with your R&D or technology commercialization goals, there are several types of T2 agreements you should know about. Attend if you are interested in collaboration with federal scientists; would like access to federal technologies through agreements; or would like to use federal laboratory facilities. Learn what works and sign up to meet with a laboratory official. 

Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) Success Stories Panel:

Moderated by: Donna Ennis (MBDA)
Panelist(s): Eric Adolphe (Forward Edge-AI, Inc. & GovFlex.com), Dr. Yared Alemu (TQIntelligence) and Paige Peters (Rapid Radicals Technology, LLC)

The process of obtaining a government agreement (T2, SBIR/STTR, CRADA, etc.) and what those agreements entail, have been discussed extensively, but has there been any success for businesses who acquired one? Hear from Minority Business Enterprises who will share their journeys and success stories. Learn from their experiences during the application process, challenges they faced, and tips on how they utilized their agreement to garner success.

Partnering with Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) & Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Presentation:

Presented by: Alex Thome (MSRDC)

Minority Serving Institutions are an untapped resource in the national innovation ecosystem. We’ll discuss our work with NASA to increase participation in their STTR/SBIR programs, including innovative approaches to partnering Universities and Small Businesses. Attendees will also hear learn about how they can leverage MSRDCs unique contracting vehicle to establish and fund early-stage research programs with the Nation’s MSIs.

Hosted in partnership with:

 

Also, register with the SBA to attend their
2021 National SBIR Week Events: America’s Seed Fund

 
 

Questions?

Contact us at invision@mbda.gov.