A tech startup from Charles County, Opal HTM, recently won a Phase 1 STTR grant award with the help of TEDCO’s SBIR/STTR Proposal Lab, which taught him how to write a successful grant proposal that landed him the grant. Each year, the National Science Foundation awards $200+ million in such grants for research and development (R&D) to about 400 startups across the nation.
That's A Lot of Acronyms. What Do They Mean?
Most importantly, winning an STTR grant means that Opal HTM founder, Connor Roberts, now has more cash to fund and grow his Healthcare Technology Management business. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are the nation’s largest source of government non-dilutive early-stage/high-risk funding for startups and small businesses. Together, they are called America’s Seed Fund. Roberts wrote his winning proposal following TEDCO’s Proposal Lab, whose guidance he credits for his success.
TEDCO CEO, Troy A LeMaile-Stovall said, “I commend the perseverance demonstrated by Connor Roberts, founder of Opal HTM, that allowed them to secure an STTR grant. Our support was a mere catalyst; their resilience and dedication were the driving forces for their success. This victory not only underscores their resilience but also exemplifies the spirit of innovation that defines Maryland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Congratulations to Opal HTM on this achievement.”
What Are TEDCO and the Proposal Lab?
TEDCO is Maryland’s leading source of funding for early-stage, technology-based businesses. They provide other business assistance to entrepreneurs throughout the State and foster technology transfer and commercialization from Maryland’s universities and federal labs.
For Maryland life science and technology businesses with a compelling innovation, TEDCO can assist, through the Proposal Lab, in crafting and submitting proposals to the NSF for Phase 1 awards of up to $275,000. Their team has decades of experience in writing, reviewing and winning SBIR/STTR and other federal grants and contracts.
Up to 25 companies are picked each year for the Proposal Lab, which runs from January through June. They welcome applicants from various technology sectors, including additive manufacturing, energy, medical devices, nanotechnology, semiconductors, and more. Proposal Lab graduates consistently outperform national averages, with a 40% success rate for Maryland companies seeking their first Phase 1 awards.
“It’s gratifying to see the tenacity of our SBIR/STTR Proposal Lab companies pay off,” said Kimberly Mozingo, Director of Federal Programs, TEDCO. “Connor used many TEDCO resources and came out on top because he did. Through TEDCO’s Proposal Lab, he learned skills that he’ll be able to use throughout life to continue on a journey of success and growth.”
The Mission Behind Opal HTM
Opal HTM is dedicated to empowering those in the healthcare technology management field-- clinical engineers, biomedical equipment technicians, and supply chain experts, among many others--with new tools to overcome the challenges they face by making healthcare technology management smarter, safer, and more efficient.
Roberts explained, “We’re dedicated to improving healthcare safety and efficiency. We do that by helping hospitals optimize their equipment inventory and maintenance practices. If you’ve ever been to a hospital, think of the sheer amount of technology they have. Pretty much anything that a caregiver is doing with a patient involves some kind of device –infusion pumps, vitals monitors, etc. Healthcare is one of the most equipment-intensive environments you can be in.”
Opal HTM provides users with the technology to have a real-time, high-precision picture of equipment utilization, helping them maximize technology return on investment, improve workflows, and plan for the future. And, with all that, they help make healthcare safer for all of us. The grant money will allow them to further develop their technology, implement more advanced features, and grow their team.
Why Should Tech Startups Join the Proposal Lab?
“There are certain ‘ins and outs’ on how to write a grant proposal that aren’t obvious to people who haven’t gone through it before,” said Roberts, “Oftentimes, companies will hire a professional grant writer, but startups are typically strapped for cash and don’t have that option. So, it falls to the founders to write a strong proposal, and they need to know the best practices for that. That’s what the Proposal Lab teaches.” Applications for the lab are now open and close on December 15. Learn more and apply.
Charles County Business Support
Roberts also worked with the Small Business Development Center in La Plata when he was first starting and took a class on writing a business plan. Even before that, he credits the CTE engineering program at North Point High School, where he learned concepts that he used in both college and in his work today. He added, “As a tech startup, Maryland gives excellent support for our industry. Also, being close to DC, we have access to the partners and resources that are in the metro region and a strong regional talent pool. On top of that, Charles County is just a great place to live.”
