Technology Commercialization Specialist

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Department:

Small Business Development Center

Job Summary:

The position focuses on providing business and commercialization assistance for technology-based companies. The incumbent relies on both their business expertise in commercializing products and strong written and verbal communication skills to coaching Mississippi high-growth potential companies.

The collaborative position, jointly hosted by Office of Technology Commercialization/ORED and the SBDC will play a pivotal role in supporting activities to facilitate the transition of innovate technologies from federal labs, universities, and research institutions into the commercial marketplace and introducing novel technologies into the Department of Defense and other government agencies. This position aims to provide support to Mississippi small businesses and startups harnessing the potential of advanced research and development efforts and assisting in activities to connect them with federal agencies, innovation hubs, and other entities within the innovation ecosystem.

Job Description:

1. Technology Transfer and Commercialization:

• Support activities to assist in identifying promising technologies developed in federal labs, universities, and research institutions that have commercialization and defense market potential. Assist in activities that will enable matchmaking between these technologies and the Mississippi small business community.
• Assist activities to enable Mississippi small businesses and startups in collaboration with University tech transfer office and Mississippi SBDC in navigating the technology transfer process, including licensing agreements and intellectual property considerations.
• Support activities to provide input and assist in utilizing the University and Mississippi SBDC’s network to help small businesses develop strategies for adapting and refining technologies to meet commercial and defense market needs and demands.
• Support activities to work with the University Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) and SBDC consultants to bring awareness of challenges and open technology pitch events to support the DOD ecosystem, while advancing the Mississippi small business technology ecosystem.
• Support SBDC consultants in increasing the number of Mississippi small businesses and University of Mississippi researchers receiving SBIR/STTR grants. (Essential)

2. Business Development and Support:

• Assist to Facilitate guidance, feedback, and data relevant to specific technology through co-consulting as required to support SBDC consultants on business plan development, market entry strategies, and funding options.
• Assist activities to help businesses in preparing pitches, proposals, and presentations for potential investors, partners, and customers through co-consulting activities with APEX and SBDC consultants. - (Essential)

3. Federal Lab Introductions and Collaboration:

• Assist in activities to establish and nurture relationships with federal laboratories and research centers to facilitate technology introductions and collaborations.
• Support activities to organize workshops, seminars, and networking events to connect entrepreneurs with federal researchers and experts in collaboration with regional consultants and DWX.
• Support activities to help Identify funding opportunities and grants available for joint projects between businesses, federal labs, Federal agencies and SBDC. - (Essential)

4. Innovation Hub and University Engagement:

• Assist activities to leverage the Mississippi Entrepreneurial Innovation network to create a supportive ecosystem for technology-driven startups.
• Assist activities that enhance Collaboration with universities to leverage cutting-edge research for commercial applications and foster university-industry collaboration. - (Essential)

5. Federal Agency Liaison:

• Assist supporting activities between small businesses and federal agencies interested in technology adoption and innovation.
• Collaborate and stay updated on agency-specific inn

6. Market Research and Analysis:

• Assist in activities to utilize the Mississippi SBDC RISE Center services, interns, and other entities to conduct market research to identify market trends, customer needs, and potential competitors for technologies in consideration.
• Assist in activities to analyze commercial viability and potential return on investment for technology commercialization projects. - (Essential)

7. Networking and Outreach:

• Engage in networking activities to expand the specialist's own contacts and to increase visibility of the program.
• Assist in supporting the collaborative initiative at industry events, conferences, and workshops.
• Assist to Increase the awareness of technology innovation focused organizations to support the increased participation in the defense industrial base.
• Assist in activities to support the expansion, collaboration and accuracy of the Mississippi Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. - (Essential)

Job Responsibilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for building relationships and facilitating collaborations.
• Business acumen and understanding of startup dynamics and challenges.
• Experience in obtaining private investment such as Angel funding or Venture Capital.
• Direct experience with I Corps or equivalent Lean Startup programming such as the Lean LaunchPad or demonstrated experience in implementing these methods.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple organizations and sectors. Self-motivated, proactive, and adaptable to evolving situations.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree and 2 years' experience or Bachelor's and 4 years' experience

Substitution Statement: An equivalent combination of related experience and education may be considered for this role. Substitutions of the required experience or education will be assessed on a 1:1 substitution basis.

Education Qualifications:

Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

Relevant experience | 3 Years | Required

Compensation:

$56,763.20 - $85,134.40