Program helps fund grant studies

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Local entrepreneurs and emerging businesses will have a little extra assistance when it comes to securing federal grants.

The Youngstown Business Incubator, Youngstown State University and The Raymond John Wean Foundation on Monday announced an initiative called Phase Zero that will provide new businesses with capital for data gathering, lab testing, research analysis and other preliminary work necessary to apply for government grants.

“This means more business and more jobs for the Valley,” said YSU President Cynthia Anderson.

Phase Zero will provide up to $5,000 — funded by the Wean Foundation and YSU — for preliminary studies that are required to apply for Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grants.

“It provides initial seed capital to test somebody’s great idea,” said Martin Abraham, dean of the YSU College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, who called the project a “long-term investment.”

Abraham and Peter Kasvinsky, dean of the YSU College of Graduate Studies and Research, said the Mahoning Valley hasn’t fared well when securing SBIR and STTR grants. They said they hope the new initiative will provide an entrepreneurial opportunity for those who may not otherwise be able to afford it.

Abraham said that as many as a dozen entrepreneurs and small businesses last year could have benefited from Phase Zero.