Small Business Administration - PowerPoint Presentation

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Small Business Administration ClustersandGeoHuntsville

Prepared by Ignacio Guerrero, February 2013

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OutlineBackground on SBA clustersAlignment with GEOHuntsville visionSBA Cluster Services Options moving forward

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SBA Cluster Concept

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SBA Definitions (http://www.sba.gov/clusters/)

Clusters are geographic concentrations of interconnected companies, specialized suppliers, academic institutions, service providers and associated organizations with a specific industry focus

They provide high-value, targeted connecting of small and large businesses, including networking with potential industry partners abroad.

Clusters form strong partnerships between universities and private industry, facilitating technology transfer and commercialization of new technology.

Clusters can play a critical role in meeting innovation needs in sectors such as energy or defense faster and cheaper than traditional procurement processes.

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Initial SBA ClustersIn the fall of 2010, through an open competition, SBA funded 10 pilot clusters selected from among 173 applicants.

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Why small companies participate in the clusters?

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Why large companies participate in the clusters?

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GEOHUNTSVILLE

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GEOHuntsville Vision (From white paper)GEO Huntsville is a collaborative effort among

businesses, academia

and

government entities in

our region to support workforce growth and economic development.

We will accomplish

this by bringing awareness to the professional expertise that exists in the

area and

identifying job opportunities that will continue to build the economic base.

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Comparing…Clusters are geographic concentrations of interconnected companies, specialized suppliers, academic institutions, service providers and associated

organizations

with a specific industry

focus

They provide high-value, targeted connecting of small and large businesses, including networking with potential industry partners abroad.

Clusters form strong partnerships between universities and private industry, facilitating technology transfer and commercialization of new technology.

Clusters

can play a critical role in meeting innovation needs in sectors such as energy or defense faster and cheaper than traditional procurement processes.

GEO Huntsville is a collaborative effort among businesses, academia and government entities in our region to support workforce growth and economic development.

We will accomplish this by bringing awareness to the professional expertise that exists in the area and identifying job opportunities that will continue to build the economic base.

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TakeawaysGEOHuntsville objectives are very well aligned with SBA cluster objectivesGEOHuntsville can leverage for SBA Clusters conceptual model and tactical methods…why reinvent the wheelGEOHuntsville can learn from the cluster experiences and localize as appropriate

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Cluster Services)

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BackgroundThis is a summary of cluster services from the first year evaluation of the SBA regional

cluster

initiative

The full report can be found at:

http

://

www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Cluster%20Evaluation.pdf

It is

provided

here

to illustrate cluster activities and see how they fit with GEOHuntsville objectives

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Services ObjectivesFacilitating alliances and collaborations among cluster participants Increasing small businesses’ access to capital Enhancing small businesses’ development or commercialization of new technology

Improving small businesses’ marketing strategies,

Increasing exports

Assisting with intellectual property issues and patent applications

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Propagation of information on industry supply chain Due to their vantage points, clusters have an inherent advantage in identifying opportunities for small businesses in their industry supply chains and disseminating this information

Some of the clusters participating in SBA’s Cluster Initiative have utilized supply chain mapping and used website portals to disseminate this market intelligence.

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2. Propagation of information about opportunities Propagation of information regarding funding, sourcing, and teaming opportunities is another primary service provided by clusters to their membersThe majority of clusters in industries where this information is relevant monitor federal requests for proposals, select those suitable to their participants, and post them to a website or include them in a newsletter

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3. Provision of industry-specific training and certifications In some industries, certifications and highly specific training can be promoted and provided by clusters. This service significantly lowers an important barrier to entry in the industry, promoting both entry of companies in related industries and the creation of new businesses.

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4. Networking opportunities Clusters connect small businesses with other businesses and government agencies through networking events and also through individual referrals.

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5. Provision of assistance with grants (e.g., SBIR/STTR, NSF) Disseminating relevant funding opportunities to small businessesProviding a forum through which businesses’ grant proposals are reviewed by experts

Connecting small businesses with other firms or academics that add value to the grant application.

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6. Assistance with identification of financing opportunities Workshops focused on external financingRecruiting angel and venture capitalists to provide feedback on the investor pitches of small businesses

Facilitating introductions between small businesses and angel and venture capitalists.

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7. Showcase events for participants to gain exposure and identify potential clients Business plan competitions

Showcase events open to members to which representatives from various stakeholder agencies are invited

White papers demonstrating the capabilities of small businesses to DoD and other federal agencies.

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8. Workforce development Identifying the workforce needs of small businesses and assisting in the alignment of the regional workforce resources with these needs is another important service provided by the clusters

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9. “Think tank” sessions at which participants can discuss problems facing the industry and small businesses can discuss how to mitigate these issues through their technology and products

Clusters bring together stakeholders in a region and industry to exchange ideas in various forums.

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10. OtherExport AssistanceWorkshops Networking with potential industry partners abroad.

Technology transfer.

Clusters can assist small businesses on issues of technology transfer

Provision of testing and development facilities

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Options Moving Forward

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OptionsConsider applying for SBA cluster designationWhat is

the likelihood of SBA funding a second cluster in

Huntsville?

This will require a legal structure to receive funding

Management resources will bee needed for administration

We need to carefully look at possible restrictions

Maintain independence

At

a minimum GEOHuntsville can leverage from the concepts, process and tactics of SBA

clusters

Work closely with the Huntsville Advanced Defense Technology Cluster through joint programs