DENVER — The Colorado Small Business Development Center Network’s statewide TechSource program has opened applications for its virtual Tech Venture Accelerator for Women. 

Ten spots are available in the cohort for Colorado-based, women-owned science and technology businesses that have the potential for submitting Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer proposals. This will be the ninth TVX program that SBDC has produced, but the first time TVX is produced solely for women. The cohort will be held online. 

The 10-part cohort series is designed to help emerging companies in Colorado’s Advanced Industries overcome hurdles to accelerate growth and development. The accelerator focuses on growth through non-dilutive capital sources and technology commercialization.

Unique to this accelerator program is the assistance provided on federal and state innovation grants as a source of non-dilutive capital. Specialized expertise is provided to each business in critical areas, including identifying relevant SBIR agencies and topics, understanding the proposal process and applying research and market data to develop technology commercialization plans that will support grant submissions. 

Weekly, two-hour virtual sessions will be held on Tuesday mornings from Jan. 26 through March 31 and are facilitated discussions with founders/C-level executives and subject matter experts. These executives will share challenges and successes and help to find constructive solutions. Outside of the cohort group, each participating business receives extensive consulting customized to the specific needs and stage of their venture. 

Some of the topics include market research/customer discovery, Federal R&D tax credits, SBIR and Advanced Industries grants, marketing and business model strategies, protecting and marking IP, legal matters and non-dilutive sources of funding. 

Sharon King, program lead for the Colorado SBDC TechSource program, said 79 technology ventures have completed the program in past years. “We’re excited to specifically focus on helping female-owned ventures reach their goals through the TVX-W program,” she said in a written statement.

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