The Dayton Development Coalition is the recipient of an Ohio Department
of Development Third Frontier Grant of $11.3 M matched by $7.5 M from
local investors. An additional $3.7 M is proposed for a second round of
funding by the State in spring, 2007. This will make available more than
$22.5 M for the Dayton Region to partner with technology-based companies
with one objective – to bring new and innovative technologies to market.

Together, we will build on the Region’s momentum and recentsuccesses in
attracting and growing companies in our “Signature” area of advanced
materials, particularly composites, nanomaterials, and sensor applications.
Our major focus will be building on the Dayton Region’s World-Class
reputation for advanced materials R&D, and capitalizing on this success to
commercialize and manufacture tomorrow’s products. The Entrepreneurial
Signature Program (ESP) may also provide assistance and funding to
companies commercializing other innovative technologies.

The Dayton Region Entrepreneurial Signature Program is here to help you
take your technology to market. We will be providing assistance to you in the
form of loans, equity investments and grants to get you the help to complete
your commercialization efforts.

ESP will provide a wide variety of services, including design and prototype
development, technology validation and qualification, incubation space and
services, and market research. It can help you - on an individualized basis
- address the barriers to your progress, by providing developmental service
grants to recruit key personnel, secure IP protection, develop your marketing
plan, or secure the consulting help your product or your business requires.
In short, ESP is geared to your needs and your plan with assistance provided
by a service provider that you choose.

ESP’s Service Program collaborators are available to assist you in the
development and implementation of your commercialization plan. ESP
Collaborators include The Entrepreneurs Center, the National Composite
Center, EMTEC, the Dayton Development Coalition, the WSU Center for
Innovation Management in the Raj Soin College of Business, the University
of Dayton Research Institute, the AIM Center at Sinclair Community College,
Business First!, the Community Improvement Corporation- Springfield/ Clark
County, Aileron and many others.

In addition to developmental service grants, the ESP Pre-Seed Fund will
provide the capital you need during the commercialization process. Because
of the outstanding support provided by the State of Ohio Third Frontier
Initiative, the terms of the equity assistance will be more attractive than the
usual venture capital requirements. What is most important is the expert
advice and assistance that will be provided by the local investors who made
ESP a reality for the Dayton Region. More than 20 knowledgeable and
experienced angel investors have pledged their time and expertise to help
you build your business.

They are joined by venture capital advisors, River Cities and Four Seasons. Also, major community partners including the University of Dayton, Wright State University Foundation and the Sinclair Community College Foundation, the Turner Foundation, Soin International, and Premier Health Partners all of whom believe that the Dayton Region’s future rests with you – the creator of tomorrow’s industries and jobs. We ask that you join us in thanking them for their support and commitment to the Dayton Region and its entrepreneurs.

The Dayton Region Entrepreneurial Signature Program is designed to serve start-ups, small entrepreneurial companies, and existing technology-based companies commercializing new technologies. In general, if the following describes your company, you may qualify for ESP assistance and investment:

• You have a new and innovative product in the early stages of development.
• Your product can be commercialized and marketed within three to five years.
• You have “all three legs of the stool” – a business structure, an entrepreneurial team, and a technology that will be competitive in the marketplace.
• Your revenues in the past fiscal year were less than $5.0 M, you have less than 30 employees, and you are privately held, or you are commercializing your technology in a stand-alone company separate from your larger, privately-held company.

If this description fits you, and if you are located in the counties identified by the State of Ohio as our ESP Region (Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Shelby Counties) or the northern sections of Warren, Butler and Clermont Counties, and the southern part of Auglaize County and are interested in transitioning your business to the next phase and would like assistance from the Dayton Region Entrepreneurial Signature Program, please use the following ESP Commercialization Project Concept and Overview Outline to submit a proposal.

We’ve also given you some information about the Phases of Commercialization to help you identify where you are in the journey. Knowing where you are in the commercialization process will help us identify the ESP programs that best meet your needs.

For more information email us at esp@daytonregion.com.