TASA program focuses on SBIR and government contracting

Remember the TV show Cheers when Cliff the Mailman went up to Admiral William J. Crowe Jr., with a design for a submarine on the back of his cocktail napkin? And, the admiral said his people would get back to him?
Well, there is an actual program designed to help small businesses and researchers find the seed money to help serious researchers take their idea from the drawing board to full production. The Small Business Innovation Research program is a government program to help small business types get funding for their research.
Jill Dickman, UTSA Institute for Economic Development, is one of the best experts on this program, and she’ll speak at the March 15 Technology Advocates of San Antonio (www.tasa.org) program 11 a.m. to 1 p.m at the Bright Shawl, 819 Augusta St. I have worked with Jill on the behalf of one client, and she has been involved in the program for many years. In San Antonio, we’re lucky to have someone of her capabilities who is willing to help small businesses succeed in this program.
In addition to having Jill speak, Renee Wesley-Case, executive director of the Air Force Outreach Program Office, is also slated to speak on how small businesses can get contracts through the military. Danny Sheron, the principal, Adolos Strategic, and a TASA board member, said Renee will help small businesses understand the process for registering their “bidness” with the federal government.
Lunch is $20 for TASA members; $25 for non-members. Annual individual membership is $15 and $75 for a business. So that TASA will have enough “chicken surprise” on hand for everyone, you should call Tina Gonzales at 210-824-4106 or via email at tasa@tasa.org.