Success Stories

12 Days to the Congressional Showcase!

State: Alabama
SBDC: Alabama SBDC
SBDC Advisor: William Cummins
SBDC Client: Motus

Motus manufactures America’s fastest motorcycles and America’s only V4 engine, available for use in defense, marine, industrial, and powersports applications.

“The Alabama SBDC has been involved with Motus since the very beginning and we couldn’t have done it without their assistance. From advice on raising capital to providing intelligence on export processes to analysis and research on Dealer Agreements, the Alabama SBDC has truly been an invaluable resource to Motus since inception.” —  Lee Conn, President, Motus

Read more about Motus here. Follow Motus on Twitter @MotusMotorcycle.

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The America’s SBDC 2017 Client Showcase Reception will be at 5:30 pm on Monday, February 6, 2017, at the Rayburn House Office Building. Invite your Members of Congress now!

For more information about America’s SBDC or to find an SBDC near you, go to www.AmericasSBDC.org.

13 Days to the Congressional Showcase!

State and Region: California, Orange County/Indland Empire
SBDC: TriTech SBDC, UCI Institute for Innovation – The Cove
SBDC Advisor: Bill Waldo
SBDC Client: BlueAtomVR

BluAtom, Inc. has developed the next generation accessory for VR gaming, enterprise and military training applications, featuring the first immersive wireless body motion-tracking system. The BluAtomVR system, which comes equipped with a haptic vest and gun controller, can both detect and enhance the user’s movements for a more immersive and engaging VR gaming and training experience.

It effectively turns any player’s body into a game controller. BluAtomVR’s body-tracking vest and hand-motion gun controller create a much richer interaction than other VR gaming accessories currently available. The Wireless enabled system allows for complete freedom of a player’s movement. The lightweight vest is designed with both form and function in mind, boasting a sleek aesthetic made from lightweight, breathable materials. The BluAtom VR system is fully compatible with the HTC VIVE™. (more…)

14 Days to the Congressional Showcase!

State: Illinois
SBDC: Illinois SBDC at Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
SBDC Advisor: Florence Hardy
SBDC Client: SpiderSense

SpiderSense is a haptic wearable jacket for the blind and the visually impaired that enables the user to navigate safely around objects and enjoy the outdoors.

“The SBDC’s help is very crucial to our success. Our background is in engineering, so we need help with the marketing and business side of things. We are frequently meeting with Florence and getting advice and guidance on various topics — from how to interact with investors to business planning and pitch deck editing. What we love about Florence is that she provides actionable answers to our questions. Sometimes it is templates that we can use, other times sample material (like business plans), and other times people that she connects us with. She really knows Chicago’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and wants to help as much as possible.” — Victor Mateevitsi, CEO, SpiderSense

Read more about SpiderSense here and here. Follow SpiderSense on Twitter @SpiderSenseSuit and @mvictoras.

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The America’s SBDC 2017 Client Showcase Reception will be at 5:30 pm on Monday, February 6, 2017, at the Rayburn House Office Building. Invite your Members of Congress now!

For more information about America’s SBDC or to find an SBDC near you, go to www.AmericasSBDC.org.

America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are excited to announce the Client Showcase Reception is back again this year! The following SBDC clients will be joining us on Capitol Hill on February 6th: (more…)

Success Story: Colorado

Lynn Brittner started planning the Southern-Ute Cultural Center and Museum more than 10 years ago. The Center’s opening this past May was her reward for years of holding the vision.

Brittner’s relationship with the Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center started way back at the beginning. She needed help and only had three staff. A grant from the Administration for Native Americans provided funds for her to take Board members to visit other successful and non-successful museums around the country, with an emphasis on tribal museums. They had a lot to learn about creating a world class structure inside and out in Ignacio.

The Southwest Colorado SBDC Director had students from a business class at Fort Lewis help with the research Brittner would need to write the business plan. “The SBDC has been a consistent support and on-going resource. They have introduced me to people who could help with various aspects of the project and found us grant money to update the strategic plan,” says Brittner.

Brittner was surprised at how many details have to be considered in creating a museum and exhibits. “We had to consider the exterior design, the interior design, signage, height of the educational plaques, size of the displays, as well as their user friendliness and degree of engagement.”  (more…)