Page 146 - Innovation Delaware 2018

RESOURCES
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FINANCING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT
Delaware has a long tradition of entrepreneurship and can-do spirit, enabled by a solid network of investors and business- development organizations.
DELAWARE SBDC (SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER)
partners with the Technology Transfer Center at the University of Delaware’s Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships to help the state’s entrepreneurial, technology and business community achieve new heights of economic development. In particular, SBDC can supply expertise in technology transfer, commercialization, market analysis and intellectual-property protection. In collaboration with the Pennsylvania SBDC, Delaware SBDC has created a Delaware Valley Resource Map (www.pasbdc.org/technology/delaware- valley-innovation-corridor/resource-list) that points the way to other helpful organizations.
Formed to promote entrepreneurialism in the state, FIRST STATE INNOVATION (FSI) helps tech startups and other small businesses find capital, talent and funding. FSI also provides commercialization assistance and access to its own investor group, the FSI ANGEL NETWORK.
State government offers additional assistance to entrepreneurs. The DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF STATE DIVISION
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OF SMALL BUSINESS, DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM collaborates with businesses to help them with the resources they need and provide contact with legislators. EXPORT DELAWARE, an office within the Delaware Department of State, was created to help Delaware businesses find new customers overseas, connect with seasoned export professionals and identify grants to cover export-related expenses.
Economic development in the state is led by the DELAWARE PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP (DPP), a public-private partnership that taps private-sector expertise and state resources to grow Delaware’s entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem.
For businesses that need to navigate the government- contracting process, DELAWARE PTAC (PROCUREMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER) is the premier resource.
At the local level, the KENT ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP, SUSSEX ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTION COMMITTEE and NEW CASTLE COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT provide new and existing businesses in their area with the resources they need to thrive.
Delaware has a robust network of investors providing startup capital, including ANGEL INVESTMENT NETWORK MID-ATLANTIC, DELAWARE CROSSING INVESTOR GROUP and FIRST STATE ANGELS. Companies in search of funding also benefit from the proximity of Philadelphia’s investor community. In one recent example, Delaware Crossing Investor Group teamed with Philadelphia- based Robin Hood Ventures to raise a $540,000 seed round for New Castle-based ThruPore Technologies. (Continued on p. 134)
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