HR 539 — Innovators to Entrepreneurs Act of 2019

Summary

Innovators to Entrepreneurs Act of 2019 This bill expands eligibility for the Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program and requires development of an I-Corps course to support commercialization-ready participants. (Sec. 3) The bill requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to allow grantees of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and other entities to participate in I-Corps courses. The cost of participation by such a grantee in a course may be furnished through I-Corps Teams grants, through funds awarded to grantees under the SBIR Program or the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program, by the grantor federal agency using funds set aside for the SBIR and STTR Programs, or by the participating teams. (Sec. 4) The NSF shall develop an I-Corps course, to be offered by I-Corps regional nodes, to support commercialization-ready participants. The course shall support participants that have completed an I-Corps course and participants that have made the decision to market an innovation. (Sec. 5) The Government Accountability Office shall report on the I-Corps Program, including by assessing the effects of the I-Corps on the commercialization of federally funded research and development, the higher education system, regional economies, and the national economy.

Bill Text

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act to expand the participation in the I-Corps program by including additional entities and requiring the development of a commercialization-focused course.

• 42 U.S.C. 1862s-8(c)(2)

  (C) Additional participants.-- (i) Eligibility.--The Director, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, as determined by the Director, which may include Federal agencies, I-Corps regional nodes, universities, and public and private entities engaged in technology transfer or commercialization of technologies, shall provide an option for participation in an I-Corps Teams course by-- (I) Small Business Innovation Research Program grantees; and (II) other entities, as determined appropriate by the Director. (ii) Cost of participation.--The cost of participation by a Small Business Innovation Research Program grantee in such course may be provided-- (I) through I-Corps Teams grants; (II) through funds awarded to grantees under the Small Business Innovation Research Program or the Small Business Technology Transfer Program; (III) by the grantor Federal agency of the grantee using funds set aside for the Small Business Innovation Research Program under section 9(f)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(f)(1)); (IV) by the grantor Federal agency of the grantee using funds set aside for the Small Business Technology Transfer Program under section 9(n)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(n)(1)); or (V) by the participating teams.

  This change allows small business innovation research program grantees and other entities to participate in I-Corps Teams courses and clarifies funding mechanisms for this participation.

• 42 U.S.C. 1862s-8(c)

  In carrying out the I-Corps program described in section 601(c) of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, the Director shall develop an I-Corps course offered by I-Corps regional nodes to support commercialization-ready participants. Such course shall include skills such as attracting investors, scaling up a company, and building a brand.

  This change mandates the development of a new I-Corps course focused on commercialization skills for participants.

Action History

1. January 14, 2019

   Introduced in House

2. January 14, 2019

   Introduced in House

3. January 14, 2019

   Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

4. January 14, 2019

   Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

5. February 25, 2019

   Mr. Lipinski moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

6. February 25, 2019

   Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2055-2058)

7. February 25, 2019

   DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 539.

8. February 25, 2019

   At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

9. February 25, 2019

   Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2064-2065)

10. February 25, 2019

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 385 - 18 (Roll no. 88).(text: CR H2055-2056)

11. February 25, 2019

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 385 - 18 (Roll no. 88). (text: CR H2055-2056)

12. February 25, 2019

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

13. February 26, 2019

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sponsors

• Daniel Lipinski · Primary

Subjects