Programs

OCAST develops, implements, evaluates and modifies programs and services designed to encourage and enable Oklahoma advanced technology entrepreneurs, researchers and small businesses to accomplish research and development, technology commercialization and technology application. Clients return to OCAST programs as often as necessary for assistance. The programs in the OCAST technology pipeline include:

• Oklahoma Health Research
• Oklahoma Plant Science Research
• Intern Partnerships
• Oklahoma Applied Research Support
• Oklahoma SBIR Collaborative Resources
• Inventors Assistance Service
• Oklahoma Technology Commercialization Center
• Technology Business Finance Program
• Seed Capital
• Oklahoma Nanotechnology Applications Project
• Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance

Oklahoma Health ResearchHR

Goal and Strategic Objectives
The Health program addresses OCAST’s statutory mandate of supporting basic health-related research by allocating resources according to merit and leveraging private and federal resources while fostering public and private sector collaboration.

Description
The Health program competitively awards basic research funding for one- to three-year research projects related to human health. Eligible applicants are Oklahoma universities and colleges, nonprofit research organizations and commercial enterprises. These awards enable researchers to gain expertise and produce data needed to obtain larger grants from other sources, including federal agencies and private funding organizations, and to develop patents which in the long-term can lead to new businesses. Researchers also benefit from OCAST’s annual health research conference which focuses on ways to assist commercial development of new products and services resulting from health projects.

Performance Measures
This program produces nationally competitive health science research. Private and federal funding attributed to health projects and the ratio of health support to private and federal support indicate the program’s effectiveness at securing capital for competitive research. The amount of intellectual property generated, licenses and royalties are an indication of the program’s impact on the state’s health science industry.

Oklahoma Plant Science ResearchPS

Goal and Strategic Objectives
The Plant Science program addresses the statutory mandate of supporting basic and applied research in the field of plant sciences by allocating resources according to merit, promoting collaborations and leveraging federal and private resources.

Description
The Plant Science program competitively awards funds for basic, proof of concept and applied research related to plant science for one- to two-year periods based on technical merit, commitment of resources and, in the case of applied research, the potential for market success. Eligible applicants are Oklahoma businesses, institutions of higher education and nonprofit research institutions. The applied research awards require a minimum of one dollar matching support for each dollar awarded.

Performance Measures
Basic research projects – performance measures such as the amount of private and federal funding leveraged by plant science projects, the amount of intellectual property initiated and the anticipated value of patents, licenses and royalties resulting from these basic research projects measure program success.

Proof-of-Concept projects – performance measures are the same as basic projects with the addition of a final determination of taking the project forward through some form of development. Development may include any number of forms including a follow-on accelerated research project, incorporation into a new project, licensing to another person or organization, etc.

Applied research projects – performance measures include private and federal follow-on funding attributed to plant science projects, intellectual property, license royalties, jobs added, payroll of jobs added, actual and projected gross sales, sales distribution and actual and projected cost-avoidance resulting from these applied research projects.

Intern PartnershipsIP

Goal and Strategic Objectives
The intern program provides support for qualified research and development partnership projects that involve Oklahoma industry and Oklahoma institutions of higher education. It increases the pool of scientists, engineers, faculty and business entrepreneurs who can contribute to economic development in Oklahoma.

Description
Projects funded under this program must meet five requirements: (1) an Oklahoma institution of higher education or a business must be the fiscal agent; (2) OCAST funds must be equally matched from non-state appropriated funds; (3) the research must be performed in an applied research laboratory located at a firm, a nonprofit research institute or an institution of higher education; (4) the mentor must be from industry or be an academic with a documented success record of applied research and (5) an Oklahoma business must benefit. The award may be for one or two years. The external reviewers, a majority of whom reside out-of-state, have shown a preference for programs in which at least 75 percent of the funds (OCAST plus non-state match) go directly to the interns as salary and fringe benefits. The remaining funds are used for principal investigator salary and fringe benefits as well as for supplies to run the program.

Performance Measures
The program produces commercially viable R&D. In addition, student and faculty interns gain or maintain their interest in remaining in Oklahoma, increase desire for additional technological education and provide measurable economic progress for the state.

Oklahoma Applied Research SupportAR

Goal and Strategic Objectives
The Oklahoma Applied Research Support (OARS) program addresses the statutory mandate of supporting applied research and technology development with significant commercial potential by allocating resources according to merit, promoting collaborations and leveraging federal and private resources.

Description
OARS competitively awards funds for one- to three-year projects from any technology area based upon technical merit, potential for market success and commitment of resources. Funding for both proof-of-concept and accelerated projects is available through OARS. The program requires a minimum of one dollar matching support for each state dollar awarded. Eligible applicants are Oklahoma businesses and universities, colleges or nonprofit research organizations that have industrial partners. The program gives preference to projects involving collaboration between research institutions and private industry.

Performance Measures
Proof-of-Concept projects – Measures include the amount of private and federal funding leveraged, the amount of intellectual property initiated and the anticipated value of patents, licenses and royalties resulting from these basic research projects demonstrate program success.

Performance measures also include a final determination of taking the project forward through some form of development. Development may take any of several tracks including a follow-on accelerated research project, incorporation into a new project, licensing to another person or organization, etc.

Accelerated projects – Federal and private funding attributed to OARS projects and the ratio of OARS awards to private and federal support demonstrate the program’s effectiveness at securing capital. Performance measures such as the value of intellectual property, license royalties, jobs added, payroll of jobs added, actual and projected gross sales and actual sales distribution and projected cost-avoidance indicate the program’s effectiveness at technology transfer and the commercial value of Oklahoma R&D projects.

Oklahoma SBIR Collaborative ResourcesSB

Goal and Strategic Objectives
The Oklahoma SBIR Collaborative Resources (OSCR) program addresses the statutory mandate of supporting applied research and facilitating technology transfer involving small private for-profit businesses by leveraging federal and private resources and promoting action, encouraging strategic partnerships between firms and research institutions and promoting commercialization of new technologies.

Description
Through the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, federal agencies provide seed support for product feasibility studies and prototype development that is lacking in the private investment community. The federal Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program accomplishes this purpose and forges research collaborations between small firms and universities or nonprofit research institutions. Both the SBIR and STTR programs encourage transfer of technology into federal agency programs and private sector applications. OCAST’s program supports these goals by providing bridge funding between Phase I and Phase II federal SBIR and STTR grants. The program provides technical assistance through the Oklahoma SBIR Collaboration Resource initiative to improve the quality of proposals through proposal development workshops, proposal reviews, client referrals, collaboration building and partnership with i2E’s new SBIR support services. The program offers companies guidance in accessing additional OCAST support and other resources as appropriate to their respective stage of development.

Performance Measures
This program produces nationally competitive applied research, development and technology commercialization. Federal and private funding attributed to projects and the ratio of OCAST support to private and federal support indicate OCAST’s effectiveness at securing capital for applied research and development. Performance measures such as the increase in federal contracts, jobs added and payroll of jobs added indicate the successful commercialization of technology by firms participating in the SBRA program.

Inventors Assistance ServiceIA

Goal and Strategic Objectives
OCAST contracts with Oklahoma State University to operate the Inventors Assistance Service (IAS) program through the university’s New Product Development Center. The service addresses the statutory mandate to provide Oklahoma inventors with information and training on developing their invention and on issues related to patenting/licensing, marketing and manufacturing. The service offers workshops, a Web site, referrals and on-site business and technical consultations.

Description
The program assists the independent inventor in navigating the process from idea to marketplace. IAS helps inventors move toward the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of their products by providing assistance and information or referring inventors to appropriate service providers who will help them deal with specific steps in the invention process. The program provides inventors with a streamlined process to help move their innovation forward. Qualified inventors nearly ready for commercialization receive help with activities such as materials testing, market assessment, engineering resources and prototype development.

Performance Measures
Performance measures are specified in statute and include the number of clients, participants in workshops, value of patents, license royalties, jobs created and number of clients progressing into other OCAST and federal programs.

Oklahoma Technology Commercialization CenterTC

Goal and Strategic Objectives
The Oklahoma Technology Commercialization Center (OTCC) program addresses the statutory mandate of facilitating technology transfer and commercialization and providing pre-seed and seed capital for new innovative firms. The program operates under contract with OCAST and is the product of OCAST’s strategy of promoting collaborations, allocating resources according to merit, stimulating action and leveraging private resources.

Description
OCAST currently contracts with i2E, a private nonprofit organization, to operate the OTCC program that assists entrepreneurs, early-stage technology companies and firms seeking to commercialize new technologies. The program focuses on assessing needs, guiding clients through the commercialization process and linking them to a comprehensive network of technology sources (including Oklahoma universities) and commercialization services. The program also provides specialized business development services, access to early-stage risk financing and help in transferring technology. OTCC also provides business development and commercialization services specifically targeted to Oklahoma’s SBIR and STTR companies delivered through the Oklahoma SBIR Collaboration Resource (OSCR).

Performance Measures
Performance measures include number and type of project clients, activities with all clients, amount and type of financing obtained for clients, jobs created and average wage/salary of new technology-based companies.

Technology Business Finance ProgramBF

Goal and Strategic Objectives
The Technology Business Finance Program (TBFP) was authorized in the Technology Transfer Act of 1998 to address the mandate of providing early stage capital to innovative firms and manufacturers and for leveraging private investment capital.

Description
This program is designed to promote promising innovation and to support efforts to commercialize in Oklahoma by providing early stage financing to start-up companies, well established firms and manufacturers. The program requires a match and includes payback provisions. OCAST contracts with i2E Inc. to operate this program.

Performance Measures
Performance measures include the number of start-up firms and/or manufacturers assisted, survival rate of those organizations, amount of repayments and leveraging of other private and federal dollars. In addition, the program manager submits an economic impact analysis of the program, including such items as jobs and average annual salaries of jobs created.

Seed CapitalSC

Goal and Strategic Objectives
The Seed Capital program has been crafted to be an economic development tool with a goal of making investment in early stage companies engaged in the commercialization of promising new technologies in Oklahoma. Growing innovative Oklahoma companies that attract other investment as they successfully commercialize their products and services is the ultimate goal.

Description
In general, through its Seed Capital program, OCAST seeks to provide funding to innovative Oklahoma companies. The statute and the related constitutional amendment allow the state to take an equity or debt position with firms – an authority that is unique to OCAST as a state agency. Required co-investment with the private sector leverages the agency’s investment.

By statute OCAST was given multiple options as to how it could use appropriated funds to meet economic development goals for seed capital stage companies. OCAST invests in Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund, currently managed as a wholly owned subsidiary of i2E Inc. Other fund investors have included the Oklahoma Capital Investment Board (OCIB) and the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority (ODFA). OCAST is the largest contributor to the fund and is the Class A member, which includes the right to review and approve all proposed term sheets with the advice of its investment committee.

The Seed Capital fund includes a concept component intended to address the needs of companies requiring smaller seed capital investment for earlier-stage projects. Unlike TBFP, awards from the concept fund are convertible should the client pursue larger seed capital investment at a later date.

Performance Measures
Performance measures include the leverage of private investment funds, business finance impacts resulting from OCAST investment (including job growth and economic impact on the state) and expanding availability of investment capital for technology business development.

Oklahoma Nanotechnology Applications ProjectNA

Goal and Strategic Objectives
The Oklahoma Nanotechnology Applications Project (ONAP) is authorized by statute. This project assists qualified Oklahoma companies with application of nanotechnology through research, development and manufacturing and helps them improve current or create new cutting-edge products or processes. These awards encourage nanotechnology collaboration between industry, institutions of higher education and nonprofit research institutions.

Description
ONAP competitively awards funds for one- to three-year research and development projects with an emphasis on nanotechnology applications in product development supporting the Oklahoma manufacturing and business community. Universities must collaborate with private industry to be eligible to participate in this program.

Performance Measures
Performance measures include the number of nanotechnology applications funded, the number of manufacturers and businesses educated, the number of regional and in-state collaborations initiated and/or achieved, the number of jobs created and the average wage/salary of those jobs, the increase in gross sales and the number of manufacturers and businesses served. The private and federal dollars leveraged by ONAP will also serve as an indicator of overall performance.

Oklahoma Manufacturing AllianceMA

Goal and Strategic Objectives
The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, an OCAST partner organization, addresses the statutory mandate of stimulating manufacturing productivity and modernization. The Manufacturing Alliance is nationally recognized for excellence in terms of its ability to respond quickly, encourage action and leverage federal and private resources.

Description
The Oklahoma Alliance for Manufacturing Excellence Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that manages the programs which provide leadership and assistance to Oklahoma’s small- and medium-sized manufacturers to help them become progressively more successful in their marketplace. Through a network of extension agents and applications engineers, the Manufacturing Alliance delivers real, hands-on resources for improving productivity, increasing sales and reducing costs. Using federal, state, local and private funds, the Oklahoma Alliance for Manufacturing Excellence Inc. contracts with local organizations to field regional manufacturing extension agents who deliver to Oklahoma manufacturers services in technology application, workforce training, financing, market assessment and business relations. Applications engineers, sponsored in part through Oklahoma State University, provide technical assistance to manufacturers in rural areas where resources are limited. These locally accessible applications engineers assist with mechanical designs, plant layouts and a variety of other technical issues. OCAST provides a portion of the state funding and oversight for the system by means of an annual contract with the Oklahoma Alliance for Manufacturing Excellence Inc.

Beginning in FY 2013 the Manufacturing Alliance services will include an OCAST funded position to provide innovation engineering project management. This position will work with manufacturers, research organizations, education and training programs and partner organizations to coordinate efforts to assist with the integration of all aspects of innovation into manufacturing operations. The role of the project manager is to plan, execute, and finalize innovation projects according to strict deadlines and within budget. This includes acquiring resources and coordinating the efforts of team members and third-party contractors or consultants in order to deliver projects according to plan. The project manager will also define the project’s objectives and oversee quality control throughout its life cycle.

Performance Measures
This program measures productivity through such measures as jobs created, cost savings, efficiency improvements, cost avoidance and capital investment.