NASA Alliance for Small Business Opportunity(NASBO)

The NASA Alliance for Small Business Opportunities was initiated in October 2000 to explore ways to improve NASA SBIR commercialization and prepare potential firms as investor ready companies. Small businesses typically do not have the experience necessary to develop new technologies for the marketplace. Typical SBIR firms may have grade A Phase 2 technology products but show limited business knowledge in presenting their company to the investment community. Information on the NASBO program is provided below.

NASBO BACKGROUND:

NASA Alliance for Small Business Opportunity (NASBO)Pilot

• Phase I Initiated - October 2000



• NASA Commercialization Center, Cal Poly Pomona: 12 month Study.
  
• Explore how to improve NASA SBIR commercialization & prepare potential firms as investor ready companies.
• Development and Implementation of infrastructure supporting Guidance for Business Assistance Services and mechanisms for linkage to the investment community.

• Findings: SBIR Firms …
  
  
  • Have little knowledge or focus on protection of Intellectual property.
  • Need more personal interaction between firm and service provider.
  • Typically do not have experience to develop new products for the marketplace on their own.
  • Need early marketplace assessments in their development process.
  • Need to be matured toward venture business models

SBIR Technology Commercialization Reviews

• First SBIR Commercialization Reviews - June - Nov 1998
  
  
  • Sponsored by National Technology Transfer Center& NASA Regional Technology Transfer Centers



• Objective: to showcase promising SBIR Technologies for potential applications & Markets beyond original mission areas.



• Five Events held: One Day Presentations to Industry and Venture Reps
  - 3 minute and 20 minute presentation for each firm



• Benefits to Participants: Networking, New Ideas, Formalized Written Feedback, and Assistance



• Lessons Learned: Companies talk too much about technologies, did not address or understand need for business acumen knowledge or planning, did not understand General marketplace or the venture/finance community basics.

NASBO BENEFITS:

• Aligns SBIR with the venture style of the Marketplace
• Reduces investment risk for venture community
• Provides a portfolio approach to investment strategy
• A one stop shop for small business needs
• Provides a catalyst for new partnering opportunities
• Increases avenues for access to Large Business sector
• Incentive for initiatives like Business Parks
• Concept can be expanded to University environments
• Can easily be integrated with firms business plans

NASBO: SOLUTION TO HIGHER
SBIR PHASE 3 SUCCESS

NASBO Next Steps:

• Phase 2 Pilot ends with showcase in October 2003
• Brief Small Business Community on NASBO concept
• Collect questions, Comments and Ideas
• Create Announcement for opportunity and discussion with all communities Involved
• Assess outcome strengths and weaknesses
• Revisit overall Concept
• Generate NASBO Center Policies and Guidelines
• Finalize agreement concepts and formalize plan for Implementing first fully vested membership Organizations
• Develop cost effective information collection process
  
  
  

NASBO Current Initiative Status:

• Initiated Phase 2 - Model Test Oct.2002
• Currently 8 California firms out of 28 respondents selected.
• Kickoff meeting held January 16, 2003 in NASA Commercialization Center Pomona, CA.
• Current Pilot provided 10 to 12 months assistance- (Approx:60K each firm).
• Finalized with showcase in the fall of 2003 multiple Venture Firms.

For more information please contact:

Mr. Carl G. Ray
Code RW/NASA Headquarters
300 E Street, SW
Washington, DC 20546-0001
Telephone: 202-358-4652
email: Carl.G.Ray@nasa.gov