SBTC Executive Director Jere Glover testified before the House Committee on Small Business on May 13 2021 in a hearing on the SBIR/STTR programs, titled “Overview of the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs”.
In his testimony, Jere highlighted the need for more investment in R&D and high tech focused small businesses to counter the growth of China in the global innovative economy. He pointed out that the SBIR has a proven track record of commercializing next generation technology and offers a tremendous return on the taxpayer’s investment, but that greater investment and speed was necessary to help the US continue its technological advantage.
To improve and strengthen the SBIR/STTR programs, he discussed the following recommendations:
- Make SBIR/STTR permanent,
- Double SBIR/STTR and restore RIF funding,
- Strengthen the Patent system.
- Increase Federal R&D spending
- Set a 15% goal for Federal R&D by Small Business
- Streamline and simplify SBIR contracting.
Click the link below to read Jere’s written testimony:
SBTC Jere Glover HSBC May 13 Hearing Written Testimony
Jere and the other witnesses also answered a wide variety of questions on improving SBIR from the Committee members on topics such as increasing commercialization, waste fraud & abuse, increasing minority & women owned business participation, outreach to underserved states, streamlining the contracting process and the paperwork burden, how to encourage more businesses into the program, and oversight by the SBA.
To read more about the Hearing and watch a recording of it, follow the links below:
Video of HSBC May 13 Hearing on SBIR/STTR