America’s SBDC Blog

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America’s #SBDC Client Showcase – Motus

January 25, 2017
12 Days to the Congressional Showcase!

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

MotusMotus 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.

America’s #SBDC Client Showcase – BlueAtomVR

January 24, 2017
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

BlueAtomVR teamBluAtom, 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…)

America’s #SBDC Client Showcase – SpiderSense

January 23, 2017
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.

SpiderSense“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.

Web Design Trends for 2017

January 17, 2017
By Adam Wozney
Community Manager @ Wix
www.adamwozney.com

The first website launched in December of 1990. Remember 1990? Paula Abdul had a number one hit with “Opposites Attract,” the number one movie in America was “Home Alone,” and you may have owned a pair of parachute pants just like your idol MC Hammer. Over the last quarter century, styles and tastes have come and gone. Just like fashion and culture, web design trends constantly change. Keeping up with all of these trends can be difficult for a small business owner. But why even bother paying attention to web design trends? How does web design increase your bottom line? Well, you’re not still wearing parachute pants, are you?

At Wix, we would argue that web design is one of the most important factors of a business’s marketing strategy. Why? Designing an intuitive and engaging experience for your customers increases your customer lifetime value (CLTV). This is a prediction of the net profit attributed to the entire future relationship with a customer. At the end of the day, a happy customer will lead to more sales and leads. (more…)