California Inventors Assistance Program [CIAP]
Under Section 32 of the “America Invents Act,” the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) established a new pro bono program designed to assist financially under-resourced independent inventors and small businesses. CLA was selected as the statewide Administrator of the program throughout California to process pro bono intakes in conjunction with the USPTO. This program is called the CALIFORNIA INVENTORS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CIAP). The CIAP also currently provides services to five western U.S. states (Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon, California and Nevada).
See this LINK for information from the USPTO about pro bono services for patent applicants.
CLICK HERE for a 39 minute, 30-module informational video/certification program: "Basic Patent Training for Independent Inventors and Small Businesses." Independent inventor applicants are required to review and complete this video material PRIOR to receiving assistance under the CIAP.
Success Story:
IP Watchdog: The Bill Carpenter Story: The Path to a Granted United States Patent -- a patent granted with the assistance of the CIAP.
There is additional information about the regional pro bono program at the USPTO website:
See this LINK for information from the USPTO about pro bono services for patent applicants.
CLICK HERE for a 39 minute, 30-module informational video/certification program: "Basic Patent Training for Independent Inventors and Small Businesses." Independent inventor applicants are required to review and complete this video material PRIOR to receiving assistance under the CIAP.
Success Story:
IP Watchdog: The Bill Carpenter Story: The Path to a Granted United States Patent -- a patent granted with the assistance of the CIAP.
There is additional information about the regional pro bono program at the USPTO website:
- See this LINK for information about the FEDERAL CIRCUIT BAR's National Clearinghouse for the pro bono program.
- See this LINK to begin an application through the FEDERAL CIRCUIT BAR's National Clearinghouse.
- See this LINK to begin the financial screening for an application directly through CLA for the CIAP.
© Copyright 2015 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP. Reproduced with Permission.
Financial Federal Resources for Inventors/Entrepreneurs
SBIR
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.
https://www.SBIR.gov
SBIC
In 1958, Congress created The Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program to facilitate the flow of long-term capital to America’s small businesses. SBA does not provide capital directly to businesses. Instead, SBA partners with private investors to capitalize professionally-managed investment funds (known as "SBICs") that finance small businesses.
https://www.sba.gov/sbic
InnovateHER
InnovateHER provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs throughout the U.S. to showcase products and services that have a measurable impact on the lives of women and families (30%), have the potential for commercialization (40%), and fill a need in the marketplace (30%).
https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/wbo/resources/1465581
Challenge.gov
Challenge.gov is a listing of challenge and prize competitions, all of which are run by more than 80 agencies across federal government. These include technical, scientific, ideation, and creative competitions where the U.S. government seeks innovative solutions from the public, bringing the best ideas and talent together to solve mission-centric problems.
https://www.challenge.gov/how-it-works/
58 Federally Funded Cluster Initiatives
https://www.sba.gov/sba-clusters
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.
https://www.SBIR.gov
SBIC
In 1958, Congress created The Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program to facilitate the flow of long-term capital to America’s small businesses. SBA does not provide capital directly to businesses. Instead, SBA partners with private investors to capitalize professionally-managed investment funds (known as "SBICs") that finance small businesses.
https://www.sba.gov/sbic
InnovateHER
InnovateHER provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs throughout the U.S. to showcase products and services that have a measurable impact on the lives of women and families (30%), have the potential for commercialization (40%), and fill a need in the marketplace (30%).
https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/wbo/resources/1465581
Challenge.gov
Challenge.gov is a listing of challenge and prize competitions, all of which are run by more than 80 agencies across federal government. These include technical, scientific, ideation, and creative competitions where the U.S. government seeks innovative solutions from the public, bringing the best ideas and talent together to solve mission-centric problems.
https://www.challenge.gov/how-it-works/
58 Federally Funded Cluster Initiatives
https://www.sba.gov/sba-clusters
