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FAQs
General Information about ibiliti
I know you serve the advanced medical technology community. How can I determine if my company would fall within ibiliti’s definition of “advanced medical technologies?”
At ibiliti, we define “advanced medical technology” companies as those that develop and/or manufacture Class I, II and III devices, imaging equipment, biophotonic technology, diagnostic testing, and healthcare IT products. Combination product companies, including drug-device and theranostic businesses, also fall within the advanced medical technology category.
If you’re wondering whether your company falls within the advanced medical technology category, contact Heema Sinanan at hsinanan@ibiliti-nc.com.
Is ibiliti part of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center?
The North Carolina Biotechnology Center is the grant administrator for our funding from the state of North Carolina and is the original architect of the Centers of Innovation program. ibiliti and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center are separate not-for-profit organizations.
How do I find information about other Centers of Innovation?
Information about the Centers of Innovation can be found on the Centers of Innovation page of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center’s website.
What is ibiliti’s relationship to other Centers of Innovation?
While the Centers of Innovation are created to be separate entities, ibiliti partners with the Center of Innovation for Nanobiotechnology (COIN), as well as other Centers of Innovation, on initiatives throughout the year.
What is your relationship to the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED)?
We partner with CED to support start-up medtech companies. Additionally, CED provides opportunities for medtech companies to network with other entrepreneurs and investors at CED events, including the CED Biotech/Life Science Conference. CED events relevant to the advanced medical technology community will be posted on the Meeting page of the ibiliti website.
Do you partner with other organizations interested in the medtech industry?
We certainly do. Because our community benefits from the leveraging of ideas that come from many different sources, we’re interested in working with all groups committed to making the medtech industry a success. If you have questions regarding partnering opportunities, contact Cindy Clark at cclark@ibiliti-nc.com.
Will you publish an annual report?
Yes. Click here to access our most recent annual report.
Getting Involved
Is ibiliti a member-based organization?
No. We’re not a member-based organization and there’s no fee charged to become a part of ibiliti. Because we believe in the power inherent within a large community of like-minded individuals, we welcome anyone who is a supporter of the medtech industry. However, you must be a North Carolina-based medtech company to access some of the discounts that are available through our service provider network, as well as some of the services we offer–such as the Expert-on-Call program and the grant writing services.
How do I become involved with ibiliti?
All you have to do is send us an e-mail with your contact information and we’ll get you in our database. E-mail that information to Heema Sinanan at hsinanan@ibiliti-nc.com.
I’m planning an event for the medtech community. Can it be listed on the calendar that’s on the ibiliti website?
Absolutely. We want to make people aware of all events—both in North Carolina and throughout the country—that are relevant to the advanced medical technology industry.
To add an event to our calendar, contact Heema Sinanan at hsinanan@ibiliti-nc.com.
How do I get on ibiliti’s mailing list?
If you’re not on our mailing list but want to be, e-mail your contact information to Heema Sinanan at hsinanan@ibiliti-nc.com.
ibiliti’s Service Provider Network
What is the ibiliti Service Provider Network and how can it benefit my company?
Imagine one central location that lists all of the resources that a medtech company might ever need to accomplish its goals and objectives. Soon, you will not have to imagine this. In December 2010, ibiliti launched its Service Provider Network. As the network builds, it will include all of the resources that you might need to be successful—everything from office furniture, equipment, manufacturing providers, regulatory experts, and prototyping engineers. The network will include case studies, references, and detailed information to help you select a provider that suits your specific needs in a matter of minutes instead of days, weeks or months. The network will highlight all of the North Carolina assets and link you to resources across the country. The network will also feature providers that offer discounts to our North Carolina companies.
How do I become part of the Service Provider Network?
Becoming a part of our Service Provider Network is simple. All you need to do is e-mail your website URL and contact information to Heema Sinanan at hsinanan@ibiliti-nc.com. Once your information is received, we will contact you to discuss any questions you have about the network and how it can benefit your business.
Loans and Grants
Does ibiliti provide loans or grants to medtech companies?
Because we are funded by the State of North Carolina through a Center of Innovation grant from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, we are precluded from using that funding for loans and grants. However, as we grow over the next few years, our goal is to be able to establish a loan and grant program through our own separate funding.
If you are a North Carolina-based advanced medical technology company, we currently offer certain services at significantly reduced costs in order to help you stretch your available dollars further. These include our Expert-on-Call program and our grant writing program. You also have access to our bulk-buying power to negotiate discounts with providers who provide services you need to grow your company.
Additionally, we’re working with existing organizations to connect medtech companies with funding sources. These include:
If you need further information about accessing funding for your medtech company, please contact Cindy Clark at cclark@ibiliti-nc.com.
Does the North Carolina Biotechnology Center provide grants or loans to medtech companies?
Yes. The North Carolina Biotechnology Center has grant and loan programs that can be accessed by qualified combination product medtech companies, such as a drug/device company or an imaging/therapeutic company. However, if you’re not a combination product company (i.e., your technology does not have a significant biologic or pharmaceutical component to it), no grant or loan programs are available through the North Carolina Biotechnology Center at this time.
ibiliti is working with other organizations to provide device, diagnostic and imaging companies with access to funding. These organizations include:
If you need further information about funding for your company, please contact Cindy Clark at cclark@ibiliti-nc.com.
To find out whether you qualify for the grant and loan programs offered through the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, please contact Pamela Fincher at pamela_fincher@ncbiotech.org.
Medtech Start-Ups
Is ibiliti an incubator?
While we’re committed to helping medtech companies at all levels of development, we are not an incubator. But, if you’re a start-up medtech company looking for one, there are several incubators for medtech companies throughout North Carolina. For a list of incubators, click here.
I want to start a medtech company. Who should I talk with?
If you want to start a medtech company and have a technology that was developed at one of North Carolina’s world-class universities, we would suggest that you contact that school’s technology transfer office. For links to the tech transfer offices, click here.
The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) and the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) are invaluable resources for start-up companies.
Contact Heema Sinanan at hsinanan@ibiliti-nc.com for more information about groups who are available to help start-up medtech companies.
Relocation
Does ibiliti recruit medtech companies to come to North Carolina from other states?
Our current focus is on companies located in North Carolina. However, we partner with North Carolina-based economic development groups—supporting their efforts to recruit companies from outside the state.
If you’re a company thinking of relocating your facilities to North Carolina, please call us and we’ll connect you with the right resources at the state, county and city levels. Contact Cindy Clark at cclark@ibiliti-nc.com.
Donations/Sponsorships
I’d like to make a donation of money, equipment or other items to ibiliti. How can I do that?
Donations help us stretch our available dollars further, which means we can do even more to ensure the success of North Carolina’s medtech community. We’re currently seeking donations of new or slightly-used office and laboratory equipment.
We also welcome sponsorships of the various programs we offer to the medtech community.
For any questions you have regarding donations to ibiliti, contact Heema Sinanan at hsinanan@ibiliti-nc.com.
I’d like to sponsor an ibiliti event or activity. How can I do that?
We hold a variety of events for the medtech community throughout the year with opportunities for sponsorship available at all levels. Additionally, companies may sponsor pages on our website. Contact Heema Sinanan at hsinanan@ibiliti-nc.com for more information about sponsorship opportunities with ibiliti.
Legislative Issues
I have a legislative issue that I want to promote. Who can help me with lobbying?
North Carolina Biosciences Organization (NCBIO) is the official legislative lobbyist for the life sciences industry. (Because ibiliti is a 501(c)(3) organization, we do not do any direct lobbying.) If you have a legislative issue that you would like heard, please contact Jennifer Malloy at jmalloy@ncbioscience.net.
