Edison,
what is the Center for Innovation?
Many of us have dreams, ideas, products or solutions that
we would like to see in the marketplace. The Center for Innovation
is here to help realize the potential of your ideas and products.
The Center for Innovation helps entrepreneurs, innovators
and students launch new ventures and market new products and
technologies. The Center for Innovation was founded by current
lead consultant and entrepreneur Bruce Gjovig in 1984.
How
is the Center for Innovation connected to The University of
North Dakota?
The Center is a division of the UND College of Business &
Public Administration and is located on the West side of campus
next to Ryan Hall and the Hilton Garden Inn. The Center for
Innovation is located in the new Ina Mae Rude Entrepreneur
Center and is also in charge of the Skalicky Tech Incubator.
What
can the Center for Innovation offer UND students?
Internships
The Center has one distinctive Internship available
to students. The Mueller
Internship program provides undergraduate and
graduate students interested in starting a venture or
launching new product with an internship while they are
developing their venture.
Scholarships
There are three Entrepreneur scholarships available through
the Center. The Mike Marcil Scholarship
worth $500 is awarded to a student involved in entrepreneur
activities at UND who has demonstrated the initiative
to be a successful entrepreneur. The Jack Wright
Award is worth $1,000 to a UND undergraduate
who demonstrates leadership in private ventures or entrepreneurship.
The Robert and Myrna Kuk Scholarship
is worth $750 and is given to a UND undergraduate student
who is studying entrepreneurship and/or new business formation
with the goal to start, own or manage his/her own business.
Loan
Program
Funded through the Dakota Foundation, the University
Student Entrepreneur Seed Fund is a program that assists
young entrepreneurs by providing seed capital they would
not otherwise have access to. The Seed Fund provides undergraduate
and graduate students and recent graduates with opportunities
to launch their own ventures. This is a great opportunity
for entrepreneurs who have little to no collateral or
equity.
Entrepreneur Coaching
The staff at the Center for Innovation is here to assist
beginning entrepreneurs reach their goals. There are five
professional consultants and two grant writers who offer
a wide variety of skill and knowledge to the Center’s
clients.
Edison,
what is the SBIR Program?
The Small Business Innovation
Research (SBIR) Program is a highly competitive three-phase
award system which provides qualified small business with
opportunities to propose innovative ideas that meet the
specific research and development needs of the Federal Government.
What
does that have to do with the Center for Innovation?
The Center for Innovation receives funding to provide assistance
for North Dakota firms applying for SBIR funding.
What
are the three phases of the SBIR Program?
Phase I is a feasibility study to evaluate
the scientific and technical merit of an idea. Awards are
for periods of up to six months in amounts up to $100,000.
Phase II is to expand on the results of
and further pursue the development of Phase I. Awards are
for periods of up to two years in amounts up to $750,000.
Phase III is for the commercialization of the results
of Phase II and requires the use of private
sector or non-SBIR Federal funding.
What
is the small business size standard for purposes of the SBIR
Program?
A small business concern for purposes of award of any funding
agreement under the SBIR Program is one which, including
its affiliates, has a number of employees not exceeding
500.
How
can a small business obtain funding under SBIR?
A small business can obtain funding under SBIR by being
the recipient of a competitively awarded SBIR funding agreement.
Who
are the participants in the SBIR Program?
What
assistance can the Center for Innovation offer?
The Center for Innovation provides technical assistance
to companies applying for the SBIR program. We’ll
help you locate solicitations that fit with your business,
we’ll give you technical advice on how to write proposals,
and we’ll offer assistance in writing and reviewing
proposals.
How do I learn more?
Call the Center for Innovation
at 701-777-3132, or email at info@innovators.net.
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