TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo is a three-day event hosted by Advanced Technology International that brings together government agencies and industry partners with SBIR/STTR funding and interested innovators in National Harbor, Maryland. Participants can explore an expo hall, multiple pitch events and agency challenges, as well as network with representatives from participating government agencies and industry partners.
Pitches:
Throughout the event, TechConnect Innovation Pitches occur for multiple areas of interest including sustainability, advanced materials, artificial intelligence and more. During these pitches a select handful of predetermined innovators are allowed to pitch their product to a relevant panel of experts. These panelists often represent agencies or industry partners that would be interested in this area of innovation and would offer similar feedback as a traditional reviewer. These pitch events do not result in funding, but rather are an opportunity for innovators to practice and receive feedback as well as to have their product seen by interested parties.
The CTC offers participating innovators a similar opportunity. Innovators working with CTC are able to write their application and submit it to a practice panel of reviewers with expertise and experience. The reviewers provide actionable feedback to the innovator so that when they apply for funding, they will have had the opportunity to address the issues the review panel has brought up and have a better chance of submitting a successful application.
Networking with Agencies and Industry Partners:
This event brings together representatives from a range of government agencies including Department of Energy, Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, as well as Industry partners including Lockheed Martin, and top national and international universities and laboratories. This makes the event a prime opportunity to network.
Fortunately, the CTC also has a strong network of contacts from agencies to industry partners to other support organizations. When working with the CTC, innovators have access to our ever-growing network as well.
Education:
This event offers an SBIR/STTR 101 education workshop for an additional cost. The workshop covered the basic dos and don’ts of applying for an SBIR/STTR and offered tips for having a smoother application process and a more successful application for both phase I and II. A section was also dedicated to discussing challenging details about the legal and monetary difficulties of running a business for those who are inexperienced in this area.
If you missed this conference and are an innovator that wants to learn the basics of SBIR/STTR and receive helpful tips while participating and actively working through some of their own problems, the CTC offers this resource virtually.
