ALTERNATIVE FINANCING FOR SMALL, HIGH TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES IN MINNESOTA Sponsored by Minnesota Project Innovation, Inc., the University of Minnesota, the Department of the Navy, and the National Contract Management Association Twin Cities Chapter. Conference Location: Radisson Hotel South & Plaza Tower, Bloomington, MN On May 16 join experts and experienced professionals from industry, academia, and government to learn how your scientific or technological innovation with strong commercial potential may qualify for government equity funding. The one-day conference offers high-tech companies, entrepreneurs, scientists, and researchers the opportunity to learn about: Funding scientific or technological innovation (up to $850,000) Supporting commercialization of innovative, cutting-edge science and technology for military and commercial markets Collaborating with the University of Minnesota The $1.2 billion Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs were created to stimulate technological innovation among small businesses with 500 employees or less. The programs offer small businesses the following business benefits: No loss of equity or ownership No repayment of funds Worldwide commercial intellectual property protection Partial listing of science and technology areas: Advanced Manufacturing; Aerospace Engineering;Agriculture; Behavioral Sciences;Biomedical Engineering Biotechnology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Education; Engineering (all disciplines); Energy; Environmental; Human Genomics; Information Technology Material Sciences;Mathematics; Molecular & Cell Biology;Nanotechnology;Physics; and Transportation. "Bring a Colleague" Program encourages conference participation from university scientists and researchers, and the business community to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs, and potential partnering opportunities with Minnesota small, high technology companies. Register your colleagues and all receive the $125 registration fee. Individual Conference Fee -- $175 Check payable to Minnesota Project Innovation, and VISA, MASTERCARD accepted Register at www.mpi.org, or call Pat Dillon at 612-347-6751 Minnesota Project Innovation, Inc. (MPI) operates in partnership with the U.S. SBA, and the MN Department of Trade and Economic Development under Cooperative Agreement 0-7620-0024-11. The support given by the SBA through such funding does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of the cosponsor(s) or participants' opinions, products or services. SBDC's are provided without discrimination as to race, gender, color, creed, religion, disability, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation. Upon prior request to the Small Business Development Center office from which services are sought, arrangements will be made to reasonably accommodate persons with disabilities. WEB: click here for more conference information, http://www.mpi.org. E-MAIL: click here to reach conference point of contact, pdillon@mpi.org. Posted 05/03/00 (W-SN451120).

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