CHAPEL HILL NORTH GROUP LTD — Department of Defense STTR Phase I: AF20C-TCSO1

Description

Identification & Significance of Opportunity: Annually, the Air Force funds the SBIR/STTR programs to the tune of about $350 million.   Between 2016-2018, the Air Force averaged 274 Phase I and 313 Phase II SBIR/STTR awards.  On average only 8% of these technologies get commercialized versus an estimated 25% for VC-funded work.  We aim to improve the commercialization success of AF-funded research.   Proposed Solution: A new method for identifying commercialization partners for government-funded research output using multiple, connected big data sets (patents, grants, financial) powered by artificial intelligence techniques and utilizing a proprietary technology mapping process. We accomplish this in two ways: 1.  Match qualified small businesses to identified needs being promoted by BAAs, SBIR, STTR and other government grant programs using AI-enabled technology mapping algorithms to increase the likelihood of a successful match between identified government need and existing small business’ technical capabilities. This should increase the quality of SBIR/STTR submissions and increase the chances that the process will produce a higher ROI. 2.  Identify prospective commercialization partners for existing IP who are doing highly similar work for Phase III efforts, possibly ensuring faster commercial development & deployment of these technologies back into the warfighter arena. Our university partner, the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Northern Kentucky University, will assist CHN in taking the list of commercial entities generated by the AI-enabled search and build out “commercialization roadmap reports” leveraging market-oriented data sources owned by the university and tapping into students in the CIE’s INKUBIZ program. INKUBIZ is an on-campus marketing and research agency that provides students with the ability to gain experience related to their majors.