2024 America's Seed Fund Road Tour - Illinois
July 17, 2024 | Illinois Conference Center
111 St. Mary’s Road, Champaign, Illinois 61820
Hosted by the Research Park at the University of Illinois
Event Contact: road-tour@lists.illinois.edu
The Research Park at the University of Illinois is pleased to host the Illinois stop of 2024 Great Lakes America’s Seed Fund Road Tour. We invite you to register and participate in this national outreach effort that connects innovators and entrepreneurs to non-dilutive, technology funding opportunities provided through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, known as “America’s Seed Fund.”
America’s Seed Fund Road Tour plays an important role in encouraging participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by members of underrepresented groups while supporting the mission of the SBIR/STTR programs to support scientific excellence and technological innovation to build a strong national economy. Federal Agency representatives have been invited to attend a series of sessions at the Illinois Road Tour stop that brings together local and national innovation ecosystems to help attendees navigate over $4 billion in early-stage funding opportunities available through America’s Seed Fund.
Requesting 1:1 Meetings with Federal Agency Representatives. Information on how to request one-on-one meetings with Federal Agency Representatives will be provided upon registration via a confirmation screen message AND a confirmation email. Prepare now by completing a quad chart.
Registration Information
Registration Fee: $50.00 per person
Includes: breakfast and lunch meals
Parking: Conference Center Parking is Free
Cancellation/Refund Policy: Cancellations after June 30 may not be eligible for a refund. Cancellation requests can be emailed to road-tour@lists.illinois.edu.
Conference Hotel
iHotel at the Illinois Conference Center
1900 South First Street
Champaign, Illinois 61820
Phone: 819-500217-8
Block Rate: $169/night + tax
Cutoff Date: 06/16/2024
Group Code: ROADTOUR
Password: %fAc8
Parking: FREE at the Conference Center. See map for details.
NOTE: Any guests making reservations by phone (217-819-5000) must mention the block code ROADTOUR to any of their Guest Service Agents.
Resources to Prepare for 1:1 Meetings with Federal Agencies
Illinois Road Tour Program
NOTE: this event is in-person only and will not be recorded for later viewing.
Below are sessions that are typically included in Road Tour programs. Check back frequently for updates.
- One-on-one meetings with Federal Agency Representatives (up to 4 agencies, 15 minutes each)
- Overview of America’s Seed Fund
- Reverse Pitches from Federal Agency Representatives
- Opportunity to meet and network with Illinois innovation & entrepreneurial support organizations
- Panels & Presentations – examples could include agency OR technology specific SBIR/STTR sessions, sessions featuring successful tech startups that received SBIR funding, Illinois SBIR/STTR Phase I Grant Match Program, venture fund programs, and Help & Support resources available through the Illinois FAST Center and other supporting agencies such as NSF I-Corps, United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO), Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC), and Illinois Small Business Administration (SBA).
Example Illinois Road Tour Day
Featured Federal, State & Local Agencies
We will update this section as agencies, programs, and resource organizations are confirmed. In the meantime,
Federal Agencies
What SBIR/STTR federal agencies do you want to visit with? Be sure to submit your 1:1 meeting requests as early as possible. Download Quad Chart Template/Example.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
SBA Office of Investment and Innovation (OII)
SBIR/STTR Agencies (to be announced)
State Agencies
Local Agencies/Resources
To be announced.