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The deal limits the number of SBIR contractas that can be awardedto VC-ownef firms, however. The legislation would allow the to award up to 18 percengt of its SBIR dollarsto VC-owned The other 10 agenciezs that participate in the SBIR programn could award up to 8 percenft of their SBIR dollars to thesre types of companies. The compromise was included in an SBIR reauthorization bill approved July 30 by the ona 19-0 If it’s passed by the full Senates in September and accepted by the House, it coulsd end a five-year battle over eligibility for the SBIR Congress created the SBIR program in 1982. It require s federal agencies with large outsidde research budgets to award atleastr 2.
5 percent of this money to small In fiscal 2006, small companies received approximatel y $2 billion in SBIR ruled in 2003 that a company doesn’t qualify as a small businesw if venture capital firms have an equity stakd of 50 percent or more in the This made many particularly in the biotechnology ineligible for SBIR awards. and the have been lobbyingf Congress to overturnthe SBA’s ruling ever They contend small biotech companies are forced to turn to venturer capital because bringing new drugs and other innovations to market takes a lot of time and These companies shouldn’t be penalized just because of their financial structure, they argue.
“Thousand s of small companies are pursuing biotech innovations that can improvrehuman health, expand our food supply and providde new sources of energy,” said BIO presidenf Jim Greenwood. “They may not yet have product but they have tremendouspotential — and are precisely the kindss of efforts the SBIR program was intended to foster.” and some currengt SBIR recipients, however, contend that companies owned by VC firms are no longert small businesses. Ownership equals control, they argue. Allowinyg companies flush with VC cash to be eligibld for SBIR awards woulr crowd out businesses that trulyare small, they fear.
The Housed sided with BIO and venture capitalists. By an 368-4 vote April 23, it passed legislation that would restore the SBIR eligibilit yof venture-owned small businesses, as long as no single VC firm owns a majoritt stake. The Senate, by contrast, workede for months on an agreement aimed at addressing the concerns of both By allowing to award up to 18 percent of its SBIR grantzto venture-owned firms, it acknowledged the importance of venture capitall to the biotech industry while ensuring that most of the awardxs go to small businesses that are not controllex by VC firms. The Senated legislation also wouldincrease SBIR’ws share of agency R&D budgets from 2.5 perceng to 3.
5 percent, except at NIH, whic h would remain at 2.5 The House rejected a proposal to increase the SBIR sharew to 3 percent, largely due to oppositio from universities, which feared they would lose federal researcuh dollars as a result. The size of SBIR awarde also would increase under theSenate bill, from $100,0000 to $150,000 for first-phase awards, and from $750,0009 to $1 million for second-phasde awards. The House, by contrast, tripled thesee recommended maximums. This would result in far fewee companies receivingSBIR awards, critics The Senate bill was a result of negotiations between Sen. John a Massachusetts Democrat, and other senators, including Sen.
Kit a Missouri Republican who sponsored legislatiohn toallow venture-owned companies in the SBIR “Neither of us really like it, but no one took advantage of anyone, and everyone is still tryint to figure out who won,” said Kerry, who chairsx the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship “I am told that is the sign of a good “It’s the best compromise that could be workedx out under the circumstances,” said Jere executive director of the Small Businessz Technology Council and general counsel of the duriny the Clinton administration. “The question he said, “do the VCs get greedg and come backfor more?
” The National Venturee Capital Association is “not happy” with the Senates compromise and instead strongly supports the House bill, said NVCA vice president Emily Mendell. Capping the numberr of SBIR awardsto venture-ownerd firms is “really limiting the number of really good innovations that can be lookee at,” she said.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Coming Saturday: Pacquiao-Marquez enters final chapter - USA Today (blog)
hustenuejib1630.blogspot.com
USA Today (blog) | Coming Saturday: Pacquiao-Marquez enters final chapter USA Today (blog) Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez will complete their seven-year fight trilogy with the WBO World Welterweight Title on the line Saturday night in Las Vegas. Check back here at 10 pm ET for round-by-round updates and ... Pacquiao carrie s extra passion to beat Marquez Arum: Marquez a bigger threat than Mayweather |
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Landlords willing to cut lease rates to retain tenants - Charlotte Business Journal:
ivyhofy.wordpress.com
“I didn’t have two nickel to rub together, but that’s how I got my says Schmitt, president of . Todayt it’s Schmitt who has space for Heis co-owner of a buildingb on Morehead Street, and cutbacks at his firm mean he has more spacew than the business Schmitt is looking to lease 1,300o square feet to an architect, engineert or a professional in a related business. Schmitt says it’sx an opportunity for someone who may have been the victijm of downsizing and is looking to starra business. “These times create unique opportunities for nichre professionals without a lot of upfront he says.
For many especially small companies, rent is a significantg portion ofmonthly expenses. In hard economic times, paying the rent createxs problems fortenants — and theirr landlords. Sometimes the two sides can come toan agreement, with propertgy owners giving tenants a break. For a landlord, offering a discoungt is often preferable to the challenge of replacin g a tenant in asluggisu market. “Tenants who have two yearz or less on their lease are in a good position to perhaps gainsome relief,” says Mike Kemmet, vice presidenft at commercial real estate brokerage firm .
Tenants that are nearin g the end of a lease can use their option to renew it as leverage for lower rates now. Tenants can offef to extend their leaseby three, five or maybs 10 years in return for a restructurinv that can lower their current rent payment. Kemmet says he’s workex such arrangements for landlordsand tenants. The resulgt isn’t a windfall for tenants but can help with Those tenants that need reliefbut don’t have much leverages should work with their landlord, Kemmet says. institutional organizations are less likely than local ownerxs to work a deal on he says.
Brokers say if tenants plan to seek relier fromtheir landlords, they shouldn’ty expect it to be an easy process. “Az lot of people think the landlore callis easy,” says Tim Bahr, vice presidenrt of office brokerage at . “The smart landlord is goin to say, ‘OK, let’s get your banker on the phone and your main supplierand let’s all talk aboutt this.’” The owner will want to see if other busines s partners are in a positiojn to make sacrifices. “A savv y landlord wants all stakeholders at the table and not be the easy Bahr says.
Another local who didn’t want to be says he will cut deals with tenantws that can demonstrate need with their financial Despitethe recession, not every company is struggling, broker s say, and healthy companies are able to benefitg from subleasing opportunities from tenants that have more space than they Large companies shutting down operations or consolidating space will often subleas e space, usually at a substantial discount from the asking The last time the subleasing market grew so rapidlyt was in 2001-02 during the last economif slowdown.
Despite subleasing opportunities, Bahr and Kemmet say the city’ s office market is holding up Bahr has heard unfounded rumors of rent for uptown office spacsfalling 40%. Charlotte’s uptowj office market had the highest occupancy rate in the natioj beforethe recession, and it remainsx strong, he says. “If people’s understanding of the markeg is hearsay about projectedvacancyu rates, they are probablyg being misled,” Bahr says. “The markets are still healthy fundamentally. I haven’t seen rents go down at The economic slowdown has not yet caused a measurablwe drop in rent ratesin uptown. Whether Wells Fargo & Co.
’s acquisition of Wachovia will lead to a drop in demand for uptown offic e space has yet tobe seen. With uptown spacer under construction, the market is facingt a major test. Aside from working a deal on less-expensive rent, commercial real estate brokers saythere aren’f many ways tenants can save money on energy, janitorial or security Those services are usually part of the rent packager and are paid by the landlord.
“I didn’t have two nickel to rub together, but that’s how I got my says Schmitt, president of . Todayt it’s Schmitt who has space for Heis co-owner of a buildingb on Morehead Street, and cutbacks at his firm mean he has more spacew than the business Schmitt is looking to lease 1,300o square feet to an architect, engineert or a professional in a related business. Schmitt says it’sx an opportunity for someone who may have been the victijm of downsizing and is looking to starra business. “These times create unique opportunities for nichre professionals without a lot of upfront he says.
For many especially small companies, rent is a significantg portion ofmonthly expenses. In hard economic times, paying the rent createxs problems fortenants — and theirr landlords. Sometimes the two sides can come toan agreement, with propertgy owners giving tenants a break. For a landlord, offering a discoungt is often preferable to the challenge of replacin g a tenant in asluggisu market. “Tenants who have two yearz or less on their lease are in a good position to perhaps gainsome relief,” says Mike Kemmet, vice presidenft at commercial real estate brokerage firm .
Tenants that are nearin g the end of a lease can use their option to renew it as leverage for lower rates now. Tenants can offef to extend their leaseby three, five or maybs 10 years in return for a restructurinv that can lower their current rent payment. Kemmet says he’s workex such arrangements for landlordsand tenants. The resulgt isn’t a windfall for tenants but can help with Those tenants that need reliefbut don’t have much leverages should work with their landlord, Kemmet says. institutional organizations are less likely than local ownerxs to work a deal on he says.
Brokers say if tenants plan to seek relier fromtheir landlords, they shouldn’ty expect it to be an easy process. “Az lot of people think the landlore callis easy,” says Tim Bahr, vice presidenrt of office brokerage at . “The smart landlord is goin to say, ‘OK, let’s get your banker on the phone and your main supplierand let’s all talk aboutt this.’” The owner will want to see if other busines s partners are in a positiojn to make sacrifices. “A savv y landlord wants all stakeholders at the table and not be the easy Bahr says.
Another local who didn’t want to be says he will cut deals with tenantws that can demonstrate need with their financial Despitethe recession, not every company is struggling, broker s say, and healthy companies are able to benefitg from subleasing opportunities from tenants that have more space than they Large companies shutting down operations or consolidating space will often subleas e space, usually at a substantial discount from the asking The last time the subleasing market grew so rapidlyt was in 2001-02 during the last economif slowdown.
Despite subleasing opportunities, Bahr and Kemmet say the city’ s office market is holding up Bahr has heard unfounded rumors of rent for uptown office spacsfalling 40%. Charlotte’s uptowj office market had the highest occupancy rate in the natioj beforethe recession, and it remainsx strong, he says. “If people’s understanding of the markeg is hearsay about projectedvacancyu rates, they are probablyg being misled,” Bahr says. “The markets are still healthy fundamentally. I haven’t seen rents go down at The economic slowdown has not yet caused a measurablwe drop in rent ratesin uptown. Whether Wells Fargo & Co.
’s acquisition of Wachovia will lead to a drop in demand for uptown offic e space has yet tobe seen. With uptown spacer under construction, the market is facingt a major test. Aside from working a deal on less-expensive rent, commercial real estate brokers saythere aren’f many ways tenants can save money on energy, janitorial or security Those services are usually part of the rent packager and are paid by the landlord.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Your comments: Jets dominate Bills, move into first-place tie - The Star-Ledger - NJ.com
yzirapogyg.wordpress.com
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com | Your comments: Jets dominate Bills, move into first-place tie The Star-Ledger - NJ.com The Bills are in trouble and would probably need to beat the Jets and Pats to pull out the division, but that isn't likely considering how dominating the Jets have been agaginst them. NE is in trouble, losing 2 in a row since forever, ... New York Jets Dominate Buffalo Bills and Vault Into First-Place Tie |
Saturday, November 5, 2011
AP Exclusive: BCS discounted chances of White House action and switch to ... - Washington Post
efenytan.wordpress.com
USA Today | AP Exclusive: BCS discounted chances of White House action and switch to ... Washington Post WASHINGTON â€" The head of the Bowl Championship Series told college and university presidents that the Obama administration was unlikely to ch » |
Thursday, November 3, 2011
J.G. Wentworth raises $100M - Washington Business Journal:
mozybyd.wordpress.com
The annuity and life-insurance policy purchaser had its reorganizatiobnplan OK’d by a Delaware bankruptcy court judge a week ago, after filing for Chapter 11 protectio last month. As part of the deal, J.G. Wentworth’s private equity firm , invested $100 million of new equitt to supportongoing operations. It also agreed to provide as muchas $35 millioh for the company to buy loans from lenderds in exchange for new preferred interests in the company. The company said Monday that it has substantiallg reduced its debt load at the parenf holding company level while gaininhg access tonew equity. J.G.
Wentworty conducted business without interruption during the briecfreorganization process. The Bryn Mawr, Pa.-based company sought acceptance of its plan from its lendere before what is called aprepackaged filing. More than 90 percenft of the term lenders thecompany said. J.G. Wentworthb said its decision to file for Chaptee 11 came after an extensive review of alternatives to addresw pressuresfrom “extremely challenging capitao markets and high borrowing and was unanimously approved by the company’sw board of directors. In December, J.G. Wentwortnh laid off 120 of its 200 employees and closesd its LasVegas office. Founded in it moved from Philadelphia to Bryn Mawrin 2003.
The annuity and life-insurance policy purchaser had its reorganizatiobnplan OK’d by a Delaware bankruptcy court judge a week ago, after filing for Chapter 11 protectio last month. As part of the deal, J.G. Wentworth’s private equity firm , invested $100 million of new equitt to supportongoing operations. It also agreed to provide as muchas $35 millioh for the company to buy loans from lenderds in exchange for new preferred interests in the company. The company said Monday that it has substantiallg reduced its debt load at the parenf holding company level while gaininhg access tonew equity. J.G.
Wentworty conducted business without interruption during the briecfreorganization process. The Bryn Mawr, Pa.-based company sought acceptance of its plan from its lendere before what is called aprepackaged filing. More than 90 percenft of the term lenders thecompany said. J.G. Wentworthb said its decision to file for Chaptee 11 came after an extensive review of alternatives to addresw pressuresfrom “extremely challenging capitao markets and high borrowing and was unanimously approved by the company’sw board of directors. In December, J.G. Wentwortnh laid off 120 of its 200 employees and closesd its LasVegas office. Founded in it moved from Philadelphia to Bryn Mawrin 2003.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Scarlett Johansson Explains Nude Photo Scandal: "It's Not Like I Was Shooting ... - E! Online
ethelbertdiya3334.blogspot.com
Daily Mail | Scarlett Johansson Explains Nude Photo Scandal: "It's Not Like I Was Shooting ... E! Online "I know my best angles," she quipped in an interview to go with the December cover of Vanity Fair, responding to the inevitable questions about last month's nude photo scandal. And while it was obvious Johansson preferred talking about her craft ... Scarlett Johansson on Those Nude Photos She Sent to Ryan Reynolds: “I Know My ... 'I know my best angles': Scarlett Johansson admits leaked nude photos were for ... Scarlett Johansson on Knowing How to Take Nude Photos and Diagnosing Woody » |
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