SBIR office home debated

Even as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy looks to consolidate the state”™s myriad economic development functions at DECD, legislators proposed shifting the state SBIR office to the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, which has more a role of helping high-tech companies keep up with the latest advances; versus the venture capital model of Connecticut Innovations. The one element both CCAT and Connecticut Innovations have in common is mentoring startup companies.
As the Connecticut General Assembly debates Malloy”™s budget, SecureRF CEO Louis Parks does not want any tinkering with the state SBIR office, which is run by Deb Santy.
“This move would have a serious negative impact on a program that is now bringing critical, out-of-state funding and jobs to early-stage technology companies in Connecticut,” Parks said. “Once these initial seeds are planted, they need nurturing and transition to the business community, and this is something Connecticut Innovations ”¦ brings to the table ”¦ By putting the (Connecticut) SBIR office back at CCAT, ”¦ the company or researchers will be left an orphan at the end of their grant.”
That is because the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology has traditionally focused on research in specific sectors like optics and clean fuels, Parks said, and lacks the business outreach experience for companies emerging from initial-phase SBIR grants.
For their respective parts, Connecticut Innovations opposes the proposal; CCAT took a neutral stance while adding it felt it could adequately meet the needs of the SBIR office.
“When the (SBIR) office was moved to Connecticut Innovations, we did receive funding through the state to support the office,” said Peter Longo, president of Connecticut Innovations. “With the budget in 2010, that money was taken out.”

Due to a reporting error, an earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Gov. Dannel P. Malloy”™s stance on the Connecticut SBIR office.