Wanting to Start a Business?

Read about this in today's Muncie Star-Press: Workshops planned for businesses. Sounds like a good thing:

Small business owners developing new technologies will have a chance to learn about federal grant programs and successful applications for funding in upcoming workshops.

The workshops are the latest efforts by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation aimed at helping small businesses successfully navigate the Department of Defense's SBIR/STTR programs.

The organization has these workshops slated for small business owners:

Jan. 16 -- How to avoid common mistakes on an SBIR/STTR Proposal and Application.

Feb. 13 -- Identifying topics, contacting agencies and developing a successful work plan.

These workshops will begin at 8:15 a.m. at the Indiana University Emerging Technology Center, located at 351 W. 10th St. in Indianapolis, and will close by noon each day. Cost to attend each workshop is $10. Breakfast is included.

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The IEDC provides proposal-drafting assistance and a dollar for dollar match to companies successful in obtaining Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grants from federal agencies. In 2006, 60 Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grant program recipients received a total of $6 million in matching funds from the state's 21st Century Fund.

Business owners and entrepreneurs may register for the workshop or the entire series by calling 812-384-3283 or http://www.in.gov/iedc/sbir/index.html.

The same page lists computer classes offered by Ball State.