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PROPEL Intel - February 2010

March 01, 2010

During January and February 2010, four companies joined PROPEL. In addition, two PROPEL companies received an Innovation Challenge Grant for SBIR/STTR technical assistance. Since its launch in June 2007, PROPEL has helped or is helping 56 early stage life sciences companies.

2010 PROPEL Business Plan Competition: Finals April 8
The finals of the 2010 PROPEL Business Plan Competition will take place on April 8, 2010 after the next iBIO Breakfast Series Event, called Optimizing the Flow of Innovation. Judges at the finals, life sciences investors, will score competitors on their presentations followed by a brief Q&A. The winner will be announced that day. Please join us for the iBIO Breakfast and the Competition Finals. 
April 8
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Quarles & Brady
300 N. LaSalle St., 40th Floor
Chicago, IL

iBIO EC Matching Grants Available
The iBIO EC has matching grant funds that must be approved by June 30, 2010 available to PROPEL companies and iBIO EC clients. The purpose of this iBIO EC program (funded by DCEO) is to assist life sciences companies with high-growth potential in obtaining professional services for comprehensive business planning assistance, assist in the acquisition of capital or other accelerated support purposes.  iBIO EC staff work with the applicants to determine the unique professional service needs of each life sciences-focused entrepreneur and small business. Matching grant award funding must be targeted to the successful achievement of a significant business milestone. Eligible projects include:

• Intellectual property filings, freedom to operate searches
• Reimbursement strategies
• Preparation for clinical trials
• Market research, marketing, channel strategies and plans 
• Capitalization strategies and/or financial modeling
• Other specialized or accelerated services deemed critical to achieving a significant business milestone

The project does not need to be completed by June 30, 2010, just approved by the iBIO EC.  (Please note: the iBIO EC expects to have additional matching grant funds available through June 30, 2011.) If you are a PROPEL Company and this sounds intriguing, please call us to discuss your potential project, eligibility and to obtain an application. Applications should arrive no later than May 1, 2010. For more information, click HERE. 

Attend BIO2010 in Chicago as a Volunteer
If you want to attend BIO2010 May 3-6, 2010 in Chicago, consider volunteering. BIO is looking for volunteers, which allows you to attend without the high registration fee. For more information, click HERE.

2009 BIO International Convention Workshop Series
The iBIO EC along with PROPEL invite you to attend at no cost any of the workshops originally recorded at the 2009 BIO International Convention in Atlanta, GA that are now available through iBIO. Each session has the audio and slide presentations of the speakers and is roughly an hour and a half in length. The workshops are grouped in 23 different tracks: Business Development, Achieving Regulatory Approval, Finance, Technology Transfer/Licensing and many more. Click HERE for a full list of workshops available. Contact Josette Fletcher, iBIO Operations Manager, at 312.422.1111x6 or jfletcher@ibio.org for scheduling. 

Business Insights Reports Available from the iBIO EC and PROPEL
The iBIO EC and PROPEL provide our clients with over 175 market research reports from Business Insights at no charge. Titles include “Autoimmune Market Outlook to 2012,” “Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement” and “Regulatory Affairs: Paths to Approval.” Click HERE for a full list of available reports or contact Josette Fletcher, iBIO Operations Manager, at 312.422.1111x6 or jfletcher@ibio.org for more information.

iBIO Entrepreneurship Center on Illinois’ eCenter Direct
In addition to some iBIO EC forms now available online (click HERE), iBIO EC conferences are listed on the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network’s eCenter Direct web site. Click HERE for the main site, or visit HERE to see all the conferences throughout Illinois for entrepreneurs, early stage companies and small businesses.

Upcoming Events and Other News within the Community:

US Commercial Service’s Webinar on Successful Trade Shows, March 3
Attend “Are Trade Shows Generating the Quality and Quantity of Sales Leads You Expect?”
This webinar will teach effective ways to use Trade Shows to maximize sales leads. The is a $40 registration fee. For more information and to register, click HERE or call Margaret Gottlieb at 314.425.3348 or margaret.gottlieb@mail.doc.gov.
March 3
10 – 11:15 a.m.
Webinar

Polsky Center Speaker Series - Richard Kiphart, March 3
Richard Kiphart, Head of Private Client Advisors and Executive Committee Member, William Blair and Company, speaking on Analyzing Business Potential: Attracting financing, assessing and managing business potential, and learning from mistakes. To register, click HERE.
March 3
6 – 8 p.m.
Gleacher Center, Room 600
450 N. Cityfront Plaza Dr.
Chicago, IL

City of Chicago Treasurer’s Office Holds Business Plan Workshops, March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24
Getting started on a business plan can be a daunting task. Without past experience in writing business plans, the process might seem impossible to manage. That’s why, as a part of the Business Plan Competition, The Chicago City Treasurer’s Office and Chicago Community Ventures provide free workshops to competition entrants. At the workshops, entrants will receive insight, advice and guidance as they prepare their business plans for submission. Each workshop will be led by professionals who have extensive experience in writing business plans. For more information, click HERE.

Patent Workshop from the SBDC at Rock Valley College, March 4, April 1, May 6
Would you like to know more regarding the world of patents? Learn the answers to the following questions: Do I need a patent? What good is a patent? How do I obtain a patent? How do I identify inventor scams? What are the different types of patents? Why is it important to keep records? How much does it cost? Space is limited. Please reserve by calling 815.921.2081. Cost: $20 (Individuals certifying that they qualify as low income may attend at no charge).
March 4, April 1, May 6
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 
RVC's Bell School Road Center
3350 N. Bell School Rd.
Rockford, IL

CEO Roundtable: Under 20 Employees, March 4 and April 1
For information or to register, click HERE. There is no charge for this event.
March 4
8 – 10 a.m.
ITA TechNexus
200 S. Wacker Dr., 15th Floor
Conference Room C
Chicago, IL

Sneak Peek Event: Business Owner Academy, March 10
Owners of companies generating over $500,000 in annual revenue are invited to join a sneak peek of Business Owner Academy, a curriculum of courses beginning in April that are designed exclusively for business owners, and taught by current/former entrepreneurs who have "been there, done that"; integrate hands-on activities and homework that immediately apply to your business; incorporate peer-to-peer learning for students to share experiences, challenges, and accountability.  For more information or to register, click HERE.
March 10
8 – 10 a.m.
DePaul Center
1 E. Jackson Blvd., Room 8005
Chicago, IL

Been There, Done That: Experienced Business Owners Address Your Challenges & Issues, March 12
Business owners say that they learn the most from their peers. Beyond a consultant’s expertise, a professor’s wisdom, and a thought leader’s acumen, most entrepreneurs believe they get the greatest value learning from the experience of those who have “been there and done that”. At this event, four seasoned business owners will help resolve your company’s issues in a town hall-style discussion by integrating their experiences, best practices, ideas, and recommended resources. Furthermore, business owners in the audience will be asked to share their own experiences and thoughts. You will leave with new ideas and approaches to not only address the challenges you currently face, but also to resolve future issues that may arise for your company. General Registration: $60; Coleman Center Members: $30. To register or for more information, click HERE. Note: This event is for business owners only. This is not a networking event, and is closed to service providers and those seeking career opportunities.
March 12
8:30 – 11 a.m.
DePaul’s Naperville Campus
150 W. Warrenville Rd.
Naperville, IL

ITA’s Monday Morning Meeting, March 15 and May 10
This is a bi-monthly networking and educational event that prepares early-stage entrepreneurs to raise capital efficiently. The moderated event features three companies presenting their investor pitches to an audience of investors, industry leaders, service providers and serial entrepreneurs. Registration is free to members, non-members $15. To register and for more information, click HERE.

Startup Café with Mike Folk from the HDF Group, March 17
Join EnterpriseWorks and the Illini Entrepreneurship Center at Startup Café. Mike Folk is the president of The HDF Group (THG). He began working on HDF development in 1988 for NCSA. THG is located in the Research Park and is a not for profit corporation spin-out of NCSA. They make data storage technology using open source software that is being used by large government agencies and large Fortune 100 corporations. The HDF Group consists of about 25 staff and students and has continued to grow. The HDF Group is lessening the burdens of its government users and advancing science in research communities. THG has begun to explore new domains in which HDF can make major contributions. A handful of bioinformatics projects have shown that HDF has the capability to solve problems of data complexity and size in areas as diverse as DNA sequencing, electron microscopy, brain mapping and neutron scattering. For more information about The HDF Group, click  HERE.
March 17
12 – 1 p.m.
EnterpriseWorks Atrium
60 Hazelwood Dr. – Research Park
Champaign, IL

Elevator Pitch Contest, Deadline March 18
The Chicago City Treasurer’s Office has announced the kick off for the 2010 Elevator Pitch Contest. The winner will receive a free booth at 2010 Small Business Expo and $500 cash. Two keys to success in business are a great business plan – and a great elevator speech. What is an elevator speech? A clear and concise summary of: 30 seconds or less – of your business and why your service or product is important. Enter the Elevator Pitch Contest now and win $500 cash from Crowdspring and a free exhibitor booth ($350 minimum value) at the City Treasurer’s Small Business Expo on July 16, 2010. For more information, click HERE. The Treasurer’s Office will partner with Chicago technology leader crowdSPRING this year and entries will be taken online. 1. Click the City Logo asking for business plans at www.crowdspring.com . Create a Username and Password – hit the “Participate Now link” 3. Submit.

IIT’s Connectiviity, March 18
Please join University Technology Park at IIT, Wexford Science + Technology, and the Jules F. Knapp Entrepreneurship Center for their quarterly networking event on March 18. The featured guest for this event will be the FabLab at the Museum of Science and Industry. FabLab, short for fabrication laboratory, is an open access workshop that houses digital fabrication equipment for rapid prototyping. Housed in the Museum of Science and Industry, the FabLab aims to encourage entrepreneurs to take their ideas from simple ambition to reality by providing the opportunity for creative and innovative minds to build a prototype of an original concept; test, improve and optimize a completed model, or personalize or design custom products. Until more recently, access to the FabLab has been restricted, but a team of IIT students has been working to make it fully accessible to entrepreneurs. They will be on hand to discuss the FabLab's capabilities and resources it can provide for entrepreneurs. Refreshments will be served. There is absolutely no charge to attend this event, but registration is required. To RSVP, click HERE.
March 18
5 – 7 p.m.
Technology Business Center Atrium, University Technology Park at IIT
3440 S. Dearborn St.
Chicago, IL

Ernst & Young Seeks Nominations for Illinois' Leading Entrepreneurs, Deadline March 19
Nominations for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Awards in the Midwest region are being accepted until March 19, 2010, with the awards ceremony scheduled for June 24, 2010 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel. Awards are given to entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Self-nominations are encouraged, and there is no fee. To be eligible for consideration, the nominee must be an owner/manager of a private or public company who is primarily responsible for the recent performance of the company and an active member of top management. Additionally, the nominee's company must be at least three years old. Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. For more information and nomination forms contact Wendy Fox, Program Manager, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Midwest Awards, at 612.371.6703 or wendy.fox@ey.com. For more information, click HERE.

11th Annual ITA CityLIGHTS Awards – Nominations Open Until March 19
CityLIGHTS is ITA’s annual celebration of vitality and innovation in the Illinois technology community.  Celebrating its eleventh year, CityLIGHTS recognizes some of the leading technology companies and individuals whose leadership and success are driving the role of technology in Illinois. The Awards Gala is also an opportunity for the industry to connect with technology executives, entrepreneurs, corporate executives and investors in the region for an evening of dining, socializing, and celebration. ITA and the community will recognize and celebrate outstanding technology companies, executives, and advocates in Illinois in the following six categories.

• Lighthouse Award: Given to the company which best represents the region’s growing stature as home to world-class technology companies.
• Rising Star Award: Given to the company that has emerged from its start-up phase to distinguish itself in the technology marketplace.
• Newcomer Award: Given to the company that has the strongest potential to emerge from its start-up phase and distinguish itself in the technology marketplace.
• Spotlight Award: Given to the CTO/CIO for leadership and outstanding contributions in the application of technology.
• CEO of the Year Award: Given to the CEO who has driven his or her company to new heights in the past year. 
• CityLIGHTS Award: Given to an individual that has made a significant impact on the Illinois technology community.

To make your nominations know, click HERE. There is no cost to nominate and nominations will be accepted until March 19, 2010. The public's votes will decide the winners. Voting will start March 30, 2010 and will close at noon on April 14, 2010. The awards will be presented at the annual CityLIGHTS Awards Gala on April 29, 2010.

DePaul’s Entrepreneurial Quest GROW Peer Roundtable, March 19
DePaul’s Coleman Center Peer Roundtables are a place where business owners can: Look to their peers - other business owners - for objective points of view that are experience-based; Receive support from others who have "been there and done that"; Refresh their perspectives both personally and on their companies; Learn to transform their fears into aspirations for further success; Have a sounding board for problem-solving to address business challenges and objectives. For more information, click HERE.
February 19 and March 19
8 – 11 a.m.
DePaul Center
1 E. Jackson Blvd., Room 8012
Chicago, IL

Knapp’s Video Elevator Pitch Competition, Deadline March 31
Knapp Entrepreneurship Center is hosting a Video Elevator Pitch Competition. Students, staff, faculty and alumni (and tech park tenants) can enter for a chance to win cash prizes and an opportunity to present your idea before the Knapp Center's Board of Directors. Participants are encouraged to consider feedback from visitors to the site and refine their pitch as many times as they wish until March 31, the submission deadline. For more information, click HERE.

City of Chicago Treasurer’s 2010 Business Plan Competition, Deadline April 5
Chicago City Treasurer, Stephanie Neely, has announced the kick off of the 2010 Chicago Small Business Plan competition with $10,000 in cash prizes. Winners of the contest will be announced at the City Treasurer's 2010 Small Business Expo. The Business Plan Competition gives entrepreneurs and start-ups the opportunity to submit a 2 page written executive summary and win money and prizes that consist of resources and mentoring sessions critical to a new business. Competitors will have until April 5, 2010 to enter. The Business Plan competition is sponsored by Harris Bank, with Chicago Community Ventures as the managers of the competition. There will be ten semifinalists selected.  Business plan summaries will be accepted from those hoping to start up a small business, and existing small businesses owners hoping to reach their next level. For more information or to enter, click HERE. Cash prizes will include -1st Place $5,000; 2nd place $3,500; and a $1,500 3rd place prize.  A new business mentoring program will assist all the finalists.

BIRD Foundation Overview, April 5
BIRD is an acronym for Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development. The BIRD Foundation's mission is to stimulate, promote and support industrial R&D of mutual benefit to the U.S. and Israel. BIRD provides matchmaking services between Israeli and American companies in the field of Research and Development. The BIRD Foundation offers conditional grants for joint development projects on a risk-sharing basis. The Foundation funds up to 50% of each company's R&D expenses associated with the joint project. Repayments are due only if commercial revenues are generated as a direct result of the project. If a project fails, BIRD claims no repayments. If your firm is interested in learning about this unique industrial partnership model for joint R&D and commercial product development, participate in this upcoming introduction to the BIRD Foundation.
April 5
12 – 2 p.m.
EnterpriseWorks Conference Room 130
Champaign, IL

Coleman’s Finance For the Non-Financial Business Owner Workshop, Starts April 7
If you're like most business owners, financial matters are some of the most challenging, intimidating and overwhelming parts of running your business. The Coleman Center's course "Finance for the Non-Financial Business Owner" offers you an opportunity to address these issues with peer business owners and an instructor who has successfully sold his own company. Gain a firm understanding of what these numbers mean, and confidently make decisions that will benefit your company and increase its value.  This course is part of Business Owner Academy and begins April 7. Limited seats are available. To register, click HERE. 

PeoriaNEXT’s NEXTSteps Event on Pathways to Success, April 7 and June 2
Attend the Pathways to Success, the upcoming NEXTSteps event at Peoria NEXT Innovation Center. This event will feature two exciting business concepts allowing significant time for audience participation and feedback. The event will conclude with an update from a former presenter/client. Moderators will rotate and feature community and local business leaders. A light breakfast and coffee will be served.  For more information, click HERE.
February 3, April 7 and June 2
8:30 – 10 a.m.
Peoria, IL

Coleman Entrepreneurship Center’s Advisory Boards: Build Accountability, Leverage Connections and Benefit from Experience, April 12
Advisory boards are priceless. In addition to keeping you focused and helping you build value, advisory boards bring cost-effective expertise into your company and open doors to new business relationships.
In this course, you will learn how to create an effective board, select the right members, and manage them as individuals and as a group. With peer business owners, you will engage in hands-on activities and achieve milestones such as articulating the board’s purpose and role; deciding how to compensate members; identifying prospective board members; running productive board meetings. This course is part of the Business Owner Academy, a curriculum of courses open only to owners of companies generating up to $25 million in annual revenue. Limited seats available. Registration open exclusively to Coleman Center members through Jan. 4 at a special course fee of $1,395. After Jan. 4, any remaining seats will be made available to non-members at a course fee of $1,595.  Deposit of $250 due upon registration. Course fee includes materials & refreshments. For more information, click HERE.
Every other Monday, April 12 – June 21 (6 sessions)
6 – 8:30 p.m.
DePaul Center
1 E. Jackson Blvd., Room 8012
Chicago, IL

2010 Government Contracting SB Symposium, April 12 – 13
The 2010 Midwest Government Contracting SB Symposium will be held on April 12 & April 13, 2010. Do not miss this important two day event. There will be many guest speakers who will help mentor you, train you in government contracting methods and provide excellent networking opportunities to meet other large primes and small businesses who are attending. There will be a large trade show in the main arena at the I Wireless Center where the top entertainers are hosted so all areas are premium spaces. To register, click HERE . For questions, contact Vicky Miller, at 309.796.5711 or millerv@bhc.edu or visit www.bhc.edu/ILPTAC.
April 12 – 13
I Wireless Center
1201 River Dr.
Moline, IL

Stateline FastPitch Competition
The fourth annual Stateline FastPitch Competition is your chance to prove the potential of your business idea...meet people who can help you succeed...maybe even win a cash prize! The competition will be held on June 22, 2010, starting a 3:30 p.m. with Initial Presentations, followed by Final Presentations at 6 p.m. Open to the Public - 6:00 p.m. For more information, click HERE.
NIU Outreach-Rockford
8500 E. State St.
Rockford, IL

Polsky Center Speaker Series - Steve Lazarus, May 6
Steve Lazarus, Co-Founder and Managing Director Emeritus of ARCH Venture Partners, speaking on Research into Commerce: Transforming R&D into Successful Business Ventures. Registration: $25. To register, click HERE.
May 6
6 – 8:00 p.m.
Gleacher Center, Room 600
Chicago, IL

Small Business Filing Season Central Has Tax Assistance
The Small Business Filing Season Central is a one-stop assistance center for filing business tax returns. It’s a great site for your small business clients to be aware of during the tax filing season. For more information, click HERE.

SBIR Gateway
The SBIR Gateway is a free service provided to the SBIR/STTR community by Zyn Systems. Zyn Systems accepts no outside funding (including government contracts, sponsorships or private sector advertising) for the SBIR Gateway. The SBIR Gateway is used by thousands daily for news and locating opportunities within the SBIR community. Although the SBIR Gateway is pleased to be of service to Federal and State Governments, the primary focus is on the Small Businesses who participate in making their business and the SBIR/STTR programs a success. For more information about SBIR/STTR opportunities, click HERE.

Get a Copy of Hire Your First Employee, at No Charge
If your start up is interested in receiving a free copy of Hire Your First Employee from Intuit Payroll, click HERE. No purchase of an Intuit Payroll solution is necessary. But this is a limited time offer—supplies will definitely run out. This book includes all the nitty-gritty details about employment laws and taxes, figuring out how much to pay, interviews and background checks, benefits and personnel policies, leading and managing and much more! This guide will help a company who already has employees, those who are considering hiring for the first time or are opening new businesses. It's even very useful for those who use contract help.

Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Small Business Education Workshops
The City of Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) offer workshops each Wednesday and Friday downtown in City Hall Room 805 at no cost and open to anyone, not just residents of Chicago. For a full list of topics and schedule, click HERE.

Contact Us
For more information on PROPEL or the iBIO Entrepreneurship Center, visit www.ibiopropel.org, email propel@ibio.org or call Barbara Goodman at 312.422.1111x5.

For more information:
Visit http://www.ibiopropel.org
E-mail propel@ibio.org