CONNECT-SBDC Springboard

To view the Q4 2011 Springboard Program Report click here.

CONNECT’S SPRINGBOARD GRADUATES RAISE $67M DURING 2011.
 To read the Springboard Program Impact Assessment Report click here.

To see the most recent Springboard Program metrics including profiles and news of recent Springboard Graduates, read the latest Springboard Program Quarterly Report click here.

The world renowned Springboard program provides hands-on mentoring by more than 300 industry veterans for innovators at the discovery, technology transfer, commercialization, transition and global bridging stages of company development. CONNECT has recently partnered with the San Diego Small Business Development Centers to provide innovators coaching on accessing grant funding and federal contracts, pre-Springboard preparation and post Springboard support for activities such as launching manufacturing. Springboard also has MOUs in place with Sanford-Burnham Biotechnology Accelerator and Janssen Labs at San Diego, launched by Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, L.L.C. to assist in assessment and ongoing support of early stage life science start-ups. Innovators at all stages from lab to global bridges receive hands-on mentoring by successful CEOs, CFOs and CMOs in our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence Program. CONNECT-SBDC Springboard offers coaching in San Diego’s key verticals including:

• Pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics and wireless health
• Clean technology
• Software, Web 3.0 and cyber security
• Action and sports products, services and advanced materials
• Communications technology
• Autonomous robotics

The program is open to companies at these stages:

1. Innovation – working with early stage researchers to evaluate commercialization potential.
2. Technology Transfer – assisting researchers with company formation and a seed stage funding strategy.
3. Commercialization – three to five months of coaching to develop a compelling business proposition that can be presented to investors.
4. Transition – mentoring companies that are launching a new product, entering a new market, considering a spin-out or are faced with a major challenge.
5. Global Bridge – working with companies from other regions who want to open offices in San Diego to seek investment or enter a new market.

As part of the coaching process, CONNECT has a active cadre of more than 1,000 domain experts. This group is available to provide advice on your business model, marketing plan, financial model and projections, intellectual property, valuation, due diligence, financing, industry feedback or to provide valuable introductions to potential clients or strategic alliances.

To apply you must be based or plan to have a significant presence in the San Diego and Imperial Velley region, have a technology or science based innovation or general business concept and complete the online application form. TO APPLY, CLICK HERE.

If you are a sport or sport related consumer product company please apply to Springboard directly through SD Sport Innovators (SDSI) here.

SBDC OFFERS SOLUTIONS TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is dedicated to serving small business owners all across the San Diego and Imperial region. With over thirty professionally experienced consultants and training experts, they offer all you need to know about competing successfully in today's dynamic economic environment.

Business Training Seminars

• Innovative and up-to-date
• Over 200 offered throughout the year
• No-cost or very low-cost
• Useful references; quick application tips
• Online sessions in some topics

Professional Consulting

• Tailored to your needs
• Complimentary to qualified business owners

For additional start-up resources, click here.
For SBIR and STTR resources, click here
For a full list of active EIRs, click here.
To view the expectations and requirements of EIRs, click here.
To view the expectations and requirements of Domain Experts, click here.

"Springboard was instrumental in the validation and refinement of both the preparation for the investment community and our presentation to the investment community. I highly recommend Springboard and applaud the services they provide."

"The Springboard program was essential to creating a successful pitch for our business plan, and the personal coaching we received from Springboard staff and volunteers helped us achieve immediate responses from funding sources. I absolutely recommend this program to anyone who wants to get maximum exposure and expertise for their venture. I highly commend Springboard staff for this excellent program."

"Academic faculty attempting to start a company must go through an interesting, but steep learning curve to understand the business of startups. CONNECT was invaluable in both educating me about this process and helping me to create a presentation suitable for this very different audience. My springboard presentation also introduced me to a range of different people who began the critical networking necessary for the start of my company."

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