Maryland Network is 1 of 8 in Nation to Receive Technology Designation
The Small Business and Technology Development Center at the College of Southern Maryland has been accredited by the Maryland Small Business Development network to add technology to its name, with the Maryland network one of only eight in the nation receiving the technology designation.
The technology program will focus on two key categoriesfeasibility and fundingand how they relate to the high-tech life-cycle stage between concept and commercialization known as the Valley of Death, where many high-tech concepts fail, said SBTDC Southern Region Director Kelly Robertson-Slagle. We are excited to be able to offer the SBTDC High Tech Program here in Southern Maryland.
Over the last five years, SBTDC Southern Region staff have counseled 1,332 clients over 9,032 hours; have assisted in the creation of 104 new businesses, with 787 total jobs created; have held 555 training events with 3,028 training attendees; and have assisted in capital investment (loans and equity capital) of more than $19 million.
SBTDC new technology services will include helping entrepreneurs determine the feasibility of their idea, assistance with transferring technology from federal labs and universities, and identifying sources of financing.
Providing clients with the needed market research, Internet provider (IP) research, concept paper and other analysis, we can save businesses the heartache of failure or, more importantly, help businesses understand the cost and feasibility of bringing a product to market, said SBTDC Statewide Technology Programs Manager Ralph Blakeney. Many technology companies dont realize that the federal government has funds available to assist them in various stages of product development.
Locally, the SBTDC Southern Region is hosted by CSM and is staffed with professional business consultants who collaborate closely with local business leaders within Southern Maryland to determine the types of assistance small business owners would value most. The center provides confidential, one-on-one business counseling services at no charge and, affordable and timely training seminars on a variety of small business topics.
The SBTDC Southern Region is partnering with the Federal Small Business Administration to offer a SBA Small Business Resource Day at CSMs Prince Frederick Campus Dec. 7.
This is a free event and will feature the Maryland Small Business and Technology Development Center along with representatives from federal, state and local government organizations. Attendees will be able to find out what small business resources are available and meet with representatives, said Robertson-Slagle.
The SBTDC serves businesses at satellite locations in La Plata, Prince Frederick and Leonardtown. For information, contact the SBTDC Client Services Line at 301-934-7583 or visit http://www.sbdchelp.com.
Calendar
SBA Small Business Resource Day. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Dec. 7. College of Southern Maryland, Prince Frederick Campus, 115 J.W. Williams Road, Prince Frederick. Representatives from federal, state and local government organizations, and the Maryland Small Business & Technology Development Center will provide information on small business resources in Southern Maryland. Attendees can meet face-to-face with representatives. Registration begins at 9 a.m., followed by panel presentation from 9:15-10:30 and information trade fair from 10:30 to 12 p.m. Free. Space is limited, advance online registration is recommended through http://tinyurl.com/SBA-MD-Events. Contact Arnette Carter, 410-962-6195, ext. 338 or l.carter@sba.gov.