Louisiana Technology Transfer Office
The Louisiana Technology Transfer Office makes it easier for Louisiana businesses, federal labs, and universities/research institutions to work together. We leverage the expertise of researchers and the private sector to speed the process of commercialization. LTTO administers the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, as well as the Federal and State Technology Program. The LTTO offices are at the LSU Innovation Park, the NASA John C. Stennis Space Center, MS, and Michoud Assembly Facility.
Contact Roy Keller 225-578-3985, RKeller@lsu.edu; Vic Johnson 228-688-1117, VJohns3@lsu.edu; or Hutch McClendon 225-202-2908, hmcclendon@lsu.edu.
Small Business Innovation Research-Small Business Technology Transfer
Do you have a creative technical idea that may help a federal agency or the armed forces but need the funding and resources to turn your concept into a business?
Contact us.
We can teach you about the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, and the $4B they make available each year to tech companies. We’ll show you how to prepare and file an application for grants and contracts to help fund your idea.
The LTTO assists small technology-oriented companies, entrepreneurs, university faculty and other creative thinkers throughout Louisiana in areas including but not limited to:
- Access to federal R&D funding through the SBIR-STTR programs for companies.
- Access for small business and universities to federal labs such, i.e. NASA, NOAA, Navy.
- Assistance in identifying industry partners.
- Identifying LA universities, colleges, and research institutions for collaboration.
- LA Phase Zero Program - a $3,000 or $5,000 award to support SBIR-STTR proposal preparations for Phase 1 and Phase 2 applications, respectively.
- Professional-caliber workshops, webinar training, program updates, & events.
- One-on-one counseling/referrals by experienced tech transfer practitioners with commercialization plans, market/competitor analysis, intellectual property, budget/cost accounting, proposal preparation/review, etc.
- Procurement opportunities for small companies in LA with federal agencies and prime government contractors.
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.
The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) is another program that expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development (R&D) arena. Central to the program is expansion of the public/private sector partnership to include the joint venture opportunities for small businesses and nonprofit research institutions. The unique feature of the STTR program is the requirement for the small business to formally collaborate with a research institution in Phase I and Phase II. STTR's most important role is to bridge the gap between performance of basic science and commercialization of resulting innovations.
SBIR and STTR Mission and Program Goals
The mission of the SBIR and STTR programs is to support scientific excellence and technological innovation through the investment of Federal research funds in critical American priorities to build a strong national economy.
SBIR Goals
- Stimulate technological innovation
- Meet Federal research and development needs
- Foster and encourage participation in innovation
and entrepreneurship by socially and economically
disadvantaged persons - Increase private-sector commercialization of
innovations derived from Federal research and
development funding
STTR Goals
- Stimulate technological innovation.
- Foster technology transfer through cooperative
R&D between small businesses and research
institutions. - Increase private sector commercialization of
innovations derived from federal R&D.
SBIR's Four-Phase Program
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| Phase 0 |
A Louisiana-based program, administered by the LTTO, that is designed to stimulate
interest |
| Phase I |
Based on proposals solicited by participating agencies. These solicitations contain
topics
|
| Phase II |
Based upon the results of Phase I, and the scientific and technical merit of the Phase
II |
| Phase III |
The company actually pursues a commercial application of the R&D conducted during |
FAST
The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program is provided by state/regional programs that increase the number of Small Business Innovative Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) proposals leading to an increase in the number of SBIR/STTR awards from women, socially/economically disadvantaged individuals, and small businesses in underrepresented areas - typically rural states.
FAST awards build the SBIR/STTR ecosystem through:
Outreach: Increase the pipeline of SBIR/STTR applicants through training and outreach; and build the capacity of partner organizations and individuals to support SBIR/STTR applicants and existing awardees.
Technical and business assistance: Support entrepreneurs and startups through programs or services that improve proposal development and team creation; provide assistance that leads to the commercialization of technology developed through SBIR/STTR program funding; and form or encourage relevant mentoring networks to provide business advice and counseling.
Financial support: Make grants or loans to applicants to pay a portion or all the cost of developing SBIR/STTR proposals (Phase 0), attending relevant conferences, and bridging gaps between phases.
Benefits to Entrepreneurs using SBIR/STTR:
- Funding does not require giving up equity or ownership
- It's not a loan so there is no repayment
- Retain all intellectual property rights
- It makes your company more attractive to investors
- Validation of technology
- Potential for a sole-source contract
- 7% profit on the award total
Louisiana’s FAST program is supported by LSU Innovation at LSU Innovation Park in Baton Rouge.
For more information on these programs, visit the SBIR-STTR website.