BBC Changes Name, Focus
ANN ARBOR -- Ann Arbor-based Biotechnology Business Consultants LLC has changed its name to BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting LLC.
The company was founded in 1990 to assist entrepreneurs in building new life science companies. Today, it provides commercialization services, including training in writing effective grant requests under the federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer program. It also provides one-on-one proposal preparation assistance to technology entrepreneurs and early-stage companies across many sectors.
"We've grown a lot since 1990, and we needed a name that more accurately reflected what we do now in the areas of technology assessment and commercialization, SBIR/STTR and other research grant assistance, training and grant management," said Lisa Kurek, managing partner, BBCetc. "In addition to the Michigan Assistance Program we manage for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, BBC provided services to companies and tech-based economic development organizations in 18 other states last year."
As part of the change, BBCetc has introduced a new logo, newsletter, and Web site, which features an array of tools for entrepreneurs, including an SBIR/STTR FAQ, important solicitation dates and deadlines, timely updates, the BBCetc training schedule and resource links.
"We will be keeping the site current on a regular basis and adding even more tools and information in coming months," said Kurek.
BBCetc has also announced the addition of Rebecca Aistrup to its staff as a principal consultant. Prior to joining BBCetc, Aistrup was the SBIR/STTR program director for the Minnesota Science and Technology Authority.
Aistrup's professional background includes over 20 years of experience working within the medical, biotech, advanced materials and electronics industries, and consulting with technology companies on SBIR/STTR funding. In the 1990s, she served as vice president, Business Development & Licensing, for a successful SBIR firm, helping them strategically target proposals and develop Phase II commercialization plans. Aistrup holds a B.A. degree in chemistry from the University of Kansas, an M.B.A. in marketing management from the University of Minnesota, and a Master's Certification in interactive marketing from the University of San Francisco.
