SBIR Support Services
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization.
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UARF provides information sessions that overview SBIR basics including, recent policy changes, provide advice on finding the right SBIR solicitation for your company, teach how to prepare components of a proposal for maximum impact, hear from recent SBIR awardees, and allow companies to meet one-on-one with an advisor to discuss their technology and proposal idea.

NEOSVF
This student-run fund conducts due diligence and invests up to $25,000 per company in Northeast Ohio tech-based startups (startups need not be run by students). Since 2012, NEOSVF has invested $305,000 in 13 companies, which have raised $7 million in follow-on funding and created 81 jobs.

Startup Funding Opportunities
Interested in external funding opportunities?
​See our funding page for a list of opportunities available for startups.

Questions about finding the best support for you?
​We are happy to help!
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​E-mail UARF Team Member, Elyse Ball at eball@uakron.edu

Brian Lane
Project Executive

• Experience: Strategy, business and product development; technology and innovation leadership, new product commercialization, and cross functional leadership.
• Prior to UARF: Parker Hannifin and his own consulting firm, enaBL Growth LLC.
• Interests: .‘Voice of customer,’ new product development and engineering activities.
• Email: 21brian.lane@gmail.com

Art Greenberg
Project Executive

• Experience: Industrial electrochemical & metal coatings business management, commercial development of chemicals for battery industry, & technology commercialization from federal labs.
• Prior to UARF: Diamond Shamrock, SICO Industries, Hall Chemical, Harshaw Chemical, various startups.
• Interests: Industrial electrochemistry, batteries and energy storage, coatings, and technology startups.​
• Email: amgreen@uakron.edu

Barry Rosenbaum
Senior Fellow

• Experience: Technology Director and manager of business units in the chemicals, rubber and elastomer industries.
• Prior to UARF: Exxon Chemical, GenCorp, Advanced Elastomer Systems, OMNOVA Solutions.
• Credentials: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University.
• Interests: Wealth creation, angel investment and regional innovation.
• Email: barry@uakron.edu

Gordon Schorr
Senior Fellow

• Experience: Strategic leadership of chemical and elastomer division; directing marketing, supply chain, manufacturing, engineering, and R&D activities.
• Prior to UARF: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, University Innovation Ventures.
• Credentials: ABD in Chemical Engineering, and MBA.
• Email: schorr@uakron.edu

Wil Hemker
Entrepreneur Executive 

• Experience: Developing products for environmental, personal care, pharmaceutical, medical device, and food product markets.
• Prior to UARF: GOJO Industries, BF Goodrich Specialty Chemicals, Durkee Foods Division SCM Corp.
• Credentials: M.S. in Food Science, The Ohio State University.
• Interests: Controlled environmental agriculture, green technologies, nutritional food products.
• Email: hemker@uakron.edu

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UARF startup support services are provided through grants from: