Are you thinking about or building a company with interesting technology? The federal government makes $2.5 billion available annually through Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) grants. Join Anna Lisa Somera MS, MBA, MPH, an expert in SBIRs and STTRs, for an introduction to how these grants work, who can qualify, and how to apply. She’ll walk you through all of the basics so you can decide if a SBIR or STTR might be a fit for your startup or new technology.

About the Instructor
Anna Lisa is an experienced life science start up consultant, venture capitalist, intellectual property analyst, technology transfer specialist, biomedical researcher, and entrepreneur specialized in early-stage, cutting edge technology businesses. She has been a part of the entrepreneurial community for 15 years. She helped drive the formation and raised angel and venture funding for several start-up companies while also serving as top management for many of the ventures. She also led regulatory affairs, quality, and operations for several medical device companies while serving as senior management. She also has extensive experience in non-dilutive funding having helped new technology ventures receive over $30M in SBIR/STTR, state and private grants. Her experience in this type of funding has landed her several contracts with Argonne National Labs, The Polsky Exchange at the University of Chicago, INVO at Northwestern University, and the Illinois University Incubator Network.

She is currently a Co-Founder and the Chief Operating Officer of Rhaeos, Inc., a medical device company born out of the Rogers Research Group at Northwestern University, developing a non-invasive wearable shunt monitor for patients with hydrocephalus.

Join the C2ST crew for a light-hearted evening of craft brews, raffles, and prizes. This event is held in partnership with World Chicago. Meet and honor 24 women from 24 countries who have been selected by their U.S. Embassies as leaders working to get more girls to get into STEM fields. Tickets and space are limited, so make sure to purchase yours soon (Based on previous attendance, Day-of Tickets may not be available). Tickets cover 2 drinks and food.

Come raise a glass for science—see you there!

There will be smart people and beautiful people and interesting people (often the same people), delicious food, beer, wine and our signature “Pop-Rock Cocktail,” raffle prizes, plus very cool hands-on science experiments, all in the name of science and fun.

You will absolutely be talking about this party afterward!

Special THANKS to our sponsors, more to come:

For information on sponsorship, contact Monica at mmetzler@IllinoisScience.org.

SCIENCE COCKTAIL FAQs

Attire – Cocktail party but weather appropriate.  Meaning, if you want to wear your cute party dress or cool new shirt – fantastic. But if it’s rainy cold and you can’t imagine changing out of flannel-lined jeans and a wooly sweater, that’s fine with us! Just no snuggies, please. Ditch boots at the door – the drinks and conversation will warm you right up!

Public Transit – Easy! Event is right across the street from southeast doors of Merchandise Mart. CTA brown line stops on 2nd level of the Mart. (Tip – there is no down escalator in the Mart; use stairs next to ATMs outside CTA turnstiles.) Or, the #156 LaSalle bus stops one block east at 320 LaSalle. Follow the narrow sidewalk on the north side of the building west toward Wells, then turn left. For other options, check TransitChicago.

Dinner before? – If you want a special dinner before the party, there are lots of great restaurants in the River North area. Nearby options include: River Roast or Chicago Cut Steakhouse on LaSalle; or Kinzie Chop House, Moe’s Cantina, Highline or Old Crow Smokehouse on Kinzie. For many more options, and reservations, try here. Check back; we’ll see if we can find you any deals.

This is a 21+ event.

Handicap accessible – Yes, DIRTT  is accessible.

Printed tickets – Don’t print out tickets; it wastes paper. Provide your name, and guest name(s), with your ticket purchase and we’ll have a complete list at the door.