The Business and Technology Development (BTD) Program serves North Carolina biosciences companies through various programs, including:
Business Loans
The Biotechnology Center provides low-interest loans to early-stage NC biotechnology companies across the state. These loans are designed to help companies meet meaningful commercial and research milestones associated with company inception, research and growth.
BATON Program
The Business Acceleration and Technology Out-Licensing Network (BATON) program is an infrastructure of stakeholders and entrepreneurs that supports the creation of sustainable life sciences companies in North Carolina based on commercially promising technologies developed at universities and research institutions.
Strategic Partnerships
BTD provides a partnering portal through which North Carolina life sciences companies can share their in-licensing and out-licensing needs with corporate business development offices.
Industrial Fellowship Program
The Biotechnology Center has recently instituted a fellowship program for Ph.D.-trained scientists interested in transitioning into scientifc careers in industry. This program places fellows into NC biotechnology companies for two-year fellowships to gain industry-oriented research experience.
Networking
The BTD Program is a sponsor and/or organizer of numerous networking events through the community. These include the monthly Biotech Forum series, the annual Biotech Conference, and other events associated with entrepreneurial education, business development, marketing North Carolina, and career transition. Additionally, BTD staff often meet with individuals seeking career opportunities in the NC biotechnology industry.
Entrepreneurial Education
BTD sponsors and hosts numerous events intended to strengthen the entrepreneurial community. To this end, we often partner with the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED), the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), NCBIO, NCIDEA, the North Carolina Regulatory Affairs Forum (NCRAF), and other organizations that emphasize the development of the entrepreneurial community. Additionally, we have developed several short primers, including our Business Plan Executive Summary Guide, Understanding Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property Primer, and Drug Development and Regulatory Approval Primer.
Laboratory Facilities
BTD provides an informational clearinghouse of 'wet' laboratory facilities available for lease or sale across the state. We encourage owners and agents representing dedicated lab space to provide listings for review and posting on this site, including descriptive and contact information.
NC Angel and Venture Capital Funds
BTD provides a list of angel funds and venture capital resources available in North Carolina.
Technology Transfer
BTD provides a list of university technology transfer offices in North Carolina.
The Biotechnology Center's Library is an invaluable resource to biotechnology companies, entrepreneurs, business development professionals, investors, and service providers. In addition to providing books and subscriptions to numerous journals associated with the biotechnology industry, the Library also provides highly subsidized access to important on-line resources in the areas of market research and competitive intelligence.
Miscellaneous
BTD staff also offer ad hoc review of business materials, investor presentations, grant proposals and consultation in the areas of marketing strategies and technology assessment, time permitting.
The Center's Collaborative Funding Grant provides funding to support a sponsored research project conducted jointly by a North Carolina biotechnology company and a researcher in a NC university or research institution. Funding provides salary, benefits, supplies and related expenses for the postdoctoral fellow or technician performing the research study. This program is managed by the Center's Science and Technology Development Program.