Free Business Consulting Services Support Oregon Tech Firms

By Robert W. Gardier, Jr., technology business counselor, OSBDCN

The Oregon Small Business Development Center Network (OSBDCN) is now providing emerging technology growth companies in Oregon with business consulting services free of charge. The OSBDCN has hired four experienced technology business executives to assist the companies’ management teams with quality counsel on sales/marketing, finance, international business, human resources and other mission-critical business issues. Known as the OSBDCN Technology Initiative, the consulting services are available to technology-based businesses in Oregon that serve regional, national and global markets.

“T-Team” executives provide critical pre-funding support
The team of four tech executives, called the “T-Team,” will partner with each of the directors of the Oregon SBDC Network with its 19 locations throughout the state to make the free consulting services easily accessible to all eligible tech companies. The goal of the T-Team is to coach entrepreneurs and management teams through the critical pre-funding development stages of their tech companies and to help the firms attract and pair up with angel and venture investors.

The four consultants, who have broad and deep specialized expertise in growing successful tech companies, will provide business acceleration services to the firms through direct counseling, as well as through the recruitment of third-party service providers. In addition, the T-Team will also coordinate efforts with other public agencies and with private organizations, such as the Software Association of Oregon, to assist entrepreneurs, start-up companies and technology-based businesses across the state.

The four T-Team members are:

• Robert Gardier: Entrepreneur, lawyer, technology company executive (software, networking, internet/ecommerce, telecom); adjunct professor at Portland State University School of Business Administration
• Gene Haugen: Business and technology management professional; senior management experience (telecommunications, aerospace, health care); functional experience in applications and systems software development
• Erick Petersen: Marketing and business development professional, former VP/GM for leading display technologies and solutions company; experienced in Asian outsourcing and distribution channel creation.
• Pamela Stevenson: Engineering management professional experienced in R&D and product development with Fortune 500 technology, automotive, and sports apparel companies; adjunct professor, Oregon State University and Concordia University School of Management.

Support capabilities cover a wide range of issues
Among the core competencies offered by the T-Team to qualified companies are:

• Working knowledge of the technology transfer process.
• Identifying and working with intellectual property issues.
• Understanding of R&D funding, including federal programs such as the SBIR/STTR programs.
• Knowledge of alternative capital sources for emerging knowledge-based businesses – angel and venture capital funding expectations and access.
• Ability to work with innovators to develop management teams.
• A strong network of partners and resources within the technology community.

About the Oregon Technology Initiative
The Oregon Technology Initiative program is designed to assist and mentor entrepreneurs and management teams of companies that can “grow locally and sell globally.” The program was authorized by the Oregon legislature for the 2005-2007 biennium. It is a joint venture of the Oregon Small Business Development Center Network, the Oregon Economic & Community Development Department, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Want the T-Team’s help with your business?
Oregon software company entrepreneurs and management teams interested in T-Team assistance should contact their local Small Business Development Center and request an application for admission to the Technology Business Assistance program.

About the author
Robert W. Gardier, Jr. is technology business counselor for the Oregon Small Business Development Center Network. He is former CEO of Praedictus Corporation, developer of operations management software tools used by global manufacturing companies. He has been a small business owner-operator, a founder and executive with venture capital-backed companies in telecom, networking, and software, and practiced law in Ohio and Massachusetts.