Davenport, Iowa ? Are you an entrepreneur or a small business owner with an innovative idea or invention but need help financing it? Do you want to tap into the $2 billion in federal money available for such projects?

The Iowa Quad Cities Chamber?s New Ventures Initiative will host an overview of these federal funding programs at 10 a.m. June 8. Kris Johansen, program administrator, will give a rundown of what is available. Topics include eligibility requirements, the three phases of the programs, the proposal process, and the characteristics of Iowa winners. She also will be available for one-on-one consultations to help small businesses assess their potential for funding.

Entrepreneurs, researchers, small business owners, economic developers and service providers are encouraged to attend to learn more about this important small business resource.

The funding comes through the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, and it represents the largest source of early stage funding for innovative research and development projects ? more than $2 billion per year. More than $7 million was received by Iowa companies during last fiscal year.

?I provide free assistance to Iowa businesses to make the application process easier, and I see a wide variety of ideas come through,? Johansen said. People?s ideas have ranged from a big industrial grinder to pig vaccines. Funding guidelines limits funding up to $150,000.

Entrepreneurs, researchers, small business owners, economic developers and service providers are encouraged to attend to learn more about how to tap into this important small business resource.

If you are interested in attending the June 8 overview, want more information on the SBIR/STTR programs or would like help with proposal preparation, please contact Johansen at (515) 294-4740 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

You can also visit their Web site at www.techtransfer.iastate.edu.

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The Iowa Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce is the largest membership organization in the eastern Iowa and western Illinois region dedicated to building the success of Quad-City businesses. Headquartered, in Davenport, Iowa, our organization provides business and economic development services that build upon our vision of a thriving business community. The Downtown Partnership, a division of the chamber, is non-profit organization focused on the strategic growth and beautification of our historic downtown. We are committed to creating a community where existing industry prospers, new industries want to locate, tourists want to visit and residents are proud to call home.