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MBDA Launches New Initiative to Increase Minority Access to Federal Government Innovation

for immediate release
Contact: Dijon Rolle
Email: drolle@mbda.gov

 

                                                                                                  

WASHINGTON (September 14, 2016)  — The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), today announced the launch of the Agency’s new Inclusive Innovation Initiative (I-3)  in partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer.  

I-3 is a national outreach effort aimed at increasing the participation of minority business enterprises (MBEs) and minority-serving institutions in the federal laboratory network. It’s designed to connect MBEs to valuable science, manufacturing and research resources in hundreds of federal labs across the U.S.

The initiative will support MBDA’s effort to focus on expanding opportunities for MBEs to have access to new technology so they can create and bring new products to domestic and international markets.

“We’re excited to officially launch this initiative. Now is the time for MBEs to prepare for the next era of innovation,” said Alejandra Y. Castillo, MBDA National Director. “I-3 will not only help ensure that minority-owned firms and students of color are truly engaged in the 21st century economy, it will also help spur local job creation in various STEM related industries.”

The United States spends more than $130 billion each year on research and development. Through the I-3, MBEs and students will have access to federal resources to help transform their ideas from the research and development phase to commercial products and services.

MBDA will host a free two-part webinar explaining the technology transfer process Sept.27 and 29. For registration information and more details on I-3, visit http://bit.ly/2dhAa6M.

About the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

MBDA, www.mbda.gov, is the only Federal agency dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of U.S. minority-owned businesses. Our programs and services better equip minority-owned firms to create jobs, build scale and capacity, increase revenues and expand regionally, nationally and internationally. Services are provided through a network of MBDA Business Centers. After 47 years of service, MBDA continues to be a dedicated strategic partner to all U.S. minority-owned businesses, committed to providing programs and services that build size, scale and capacity through access to capital, contracts and markets. Follow us on Twitter @usmbda.