Experts in International Markets to Provide Insight on the Basics of Exporting

ROCKY HILL, Conn. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — May 31, 2012 — Connecticut Innovations, through its SBIR programs, will host this year’s SBIR & Global Trade Summit, July 24-26 at Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Conn. The national conference will provide small businesses (under 500 employees) with insights on how to secure more than $2.4 billion dollars in federal grant money, and opportunities to interface directly with leading contractors and universities that are looking for technology and commercial partners. Among the major contractors attending are:

• BASF
• Boeing
• Lockheed Martin
• Merck
• Northeast Utilities
• Pratt & Whitney
• Sherwin Williams
• Sikorsky
• The Jackson Laboratory
• Department of Defense
• Department of Education
• Department of Energy
• National Institutes of Health

“During the conference, small businesses will be able to present their innovations directly to representatives from global commercial contractors looking for manufacturing and technology partners, federal agencies looking to supplement their research capabilities, and universities seeking to commercialize their research. Moreover, attendees can meet directly with experts from some of the fastest growing international markets for advice and assistance on exporting,” said Deb Santy, director of the Connecticut SBIR Office. “No other single venue can offer small businesses easier one-on-one access to major players in the areas of defense, aerospace, energy, chemicals, healthcare, and more. We encourage small businesses across the country to take advantage of this incredible opportunity.”

In order to best position small businesses to achieve success during the conference, Connecticut Innovations has worked closely with the major companies and government agencies listed above to determine their specific areas of interest. Attendees will have the opportunity to present their innovations that may meet the needs of the major companies and agencies across a wide array of industry areas, from pilot-vehicle interfaces and robotic drilling to game-based skills training and hostile fire detection. Specific focus areas for each company/agency will be available on the conference Web site: www.sbirglobaltrade.com.

Small businesses can present research, innovations, inventions and ideas in one-on-one meetings with major companies and federal agencies and may participate in the “Poster Show” night to demo their company’s products and capabilities. They can also attend workshops where experts will provide practical, useable advice and information on topics including “You Can Win Grants” and “Aerospace Marketing Intelligence.”

For this year’s conference, Connecticut Innovations has partnered with the U.S. Department of Commerce to offer small businesses global trade opportunities through expert advice on the basics of exporting. Small businesses can learn how to export their products during meetings with commercial representatives and government officials from China, Israel, India, Canada and the U.K.

“Many small businesses have the desire to export their products. However, without guidance, the process seems daunting,” said Anne Evans, district director, U.S. Department of Commerce, Commercial Services Division. “By breaking it down to basics, and sharing insight from experts with contacts and experience in the field, we hope to open a new revenue stream for small businesses across the country.”

Attendees will also have the opportunity to collaborate with universities and business attendees to commercialize research in a range of areas including biomedicine, cancer treatment, data storage, photovoltaic systems, nanotechnology, healthcare management technology, wireless applications, energy, water availability and water pollution.

Early bird registration is still available. For more information, visit the SBIR & Global Trade Summit Web site.

About Connecticut Innovations Inc.

Connecticut Innovations (CI) is a quasi-public organization dedicated to driving a vibrant, entrepreneurial, technology-based economy in Connecticut. CI stimulates high-tech growth by investing in early-stage Connecticut technology companies, university/industry research collaborations and technology transfer and collaborating with government, business, nonprofit and academic organizations to advance technology growth and promote public policies consistent with CI’s mission. For more information on CI, please visit www.ctinnovations.com. For more information about SBIR programs, please visit www.ctinnovations.com/sbir.

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Nicole Vasile, 860-839-1589
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