Spectrum - Volume 21 Issue 06 October 1, 1998 - Gilmore addresses SBIRD workshop group on campus

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Gilmore addresses SBIRD workshop group on campus

By Julie Kane

Spectrum Volume 21 Issue 06 - October 1, 1998

Governor James E. Gilmore spoke during the awards banquet of the Small Business Innovation Research Demonstration Workshop. The two-day event, held September 23-24, was attended by more than 375 entrepreneurs across the state. Awards were made by 10 federal agencies to high-tech companies for their research. Over 200 companies were awarded $57 million.
Gilmore said the government should nurture an economic environment to serve as a magnet to attract new technology, investment and business in Virginia. In that spirit, he created a new cabinet-level position, secretary of technology, now filled by Donald W. Upson. Upson attended the event, as well as John Paul Woodley Jr., secretary of natural resources.
Gilmore was introduced by Virginia Tech Engineering Professor Kent Murphy. His company, F&S, Inc., won several awards. F&S, Inc., is one of the fastest growing high-tech companies in Virginia. William Velander, professor of chemical engineering, also with F&S, Inc., received an award.
Held in the Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center and the Squires Student Center, the workshop had over 30 presenters and 70 exhibits. Attendees learned of opportunities in the Department of Defense, National Institute of Health, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, Department of Commerce, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Education. Concurrent workshops will address such topics as venture capital; protecting intellectual property; business planning and market research; and understanding federal procurement-regulation and auditing requirements. There were also two sessions on starting and operating faculty-owned businesses.