Once accepted, TFG staff sends new clients an acceptance email with a link to another application required by TFG’s funders. TFG advising cannot begin until this other application is completed. The acceptance email also contains a link to a presentation that explains in greater detail what to expect as a TFG client.

TFG staff assigns each new client to an entrepreneur in residence (EIR)who is the primary advisor. Together the client and EIR identify areas of greatest need. At the appropriate time, the EIR will introduce the client to TFG’s specialty advisors. Introductions are not automatic but are relatively easy to obtain.

EIRs advise on strategic business issues that often trip up tech companies and startups. They help clients evaluate the composition of their teams, the technology/market fit, commercialization plans, defensibility of their intellectual property, manufacturing issues, and other challenges facing CEOs.

The EIRs will introduce clients to TFG specialty advisors when appropriate.

Specialty advisors have expertise in the following areas:

Market launch, go-to-market and commercialization
Patents and intellectual property
Financial modeling and projections
Funding strategy and preparation for pitches to VCs and Angels
Government grants — SBIR/STTR and others

5.2 Describe life as a TFG client.

Once accepted as a TFG client, the initial meetings will typically be between the client and the primary advisor, the entrepreneur in residence (EIR). The EIR may give the client “homework” to complete before the next meeting.

Although the EIR may reach out to clients periodically, most rely on clients to keep them up to date on completed homework, developments that may affect the business, and special needs or questions.

Clients should use their EIR as a sounding board and also as another pair of eyes to look at presentations and other documents.

The client and their EIR will determine when to bring in the TFG specialty advisors. Introductions to TFG specialty advisors are not automatic but are relatively easy to obtain.

Specialty advisors have expertise in the following areas:

Market launch, go-to-market and commercialization
Patents and intellectual property
Financial modeling and projections
Funding strategy and preparation for pitches to VCs and Angels
Government grants — SBIR/STTR and others

Once an EIR has introduced a client to the specialty advisor, the client meets with specialty advisor. Similar to the EIR, specialty advisors give “homework” and expect to be kept abreast of developments related to their area of expertise.

During the period when the client and specialty advisor are working together, the assigned EIR remains the primary advisor. Clients should keep the EIR informed of activities with the specialty advisors.

There is no time limit to how long you can remain a client with TFG. Some TFG clients have used TFG’s advisory services since its inception three years ago. Clearly, the advisory services required by these long-term clients changed over time. TFG helps clients in all stages of maturity.

There are time restrictions to the number of hours clients can meet with TFG advisors. These restrictions are discretionary and to a degree dependent on client progress.

See Are the TFG advisors paid by TFG or do they offer thier time pro bono?

See How much time can a TFG client expect from thier advisors

5.3 How long can I be a TFG client?

There is no time limit to how long you remain a client with TFG. Some TFG clients have used TFG’s advisory services since its inception three years ago. Clearly, the advisory services required by these long-term clients changed over time. TFG helps clients in all stages of maturity.

There are time restrictions to the number of hours clients can meet with TFG advisors. These restrictions are discretionary and to a degree dependent on client progress.

See Are the TFG advisors paid by TFG or do they offer thier time pro bono?

See How much time can a TFG client expect from thier advisors

5.4 How much time can a TFG client expect from their advisors?

There is no limit to how long you can remain a TFG client. Some clients have received valuable advice from TFG since TFG’s inception in mid-2012.

Although TFG does not specify a maximum number of advising hours a client can receive from TFG advisors, there are practical restrictions. These restrictions are discretionary, depend on client progress, budgets, and advisor availability. TFG advisors continue to invest advising time with clients that work well with TFG, follow TFG advice, and achieve economic impact.

The best TFG clients are very respectful of TFG advisors’ time.

5.5 Do your advisors make introductions?

TFG advisors introduce clients into TFG’s expanding ecosystem of specialist advisors and strategic partners.

TFG advisors are under no obligation to open their personal networks to TFG clients. These introductions are at the discretion of the advisor. Introductions to investors are extremely rare.

Detailed information about all TFG’s advisors can be found at www.techfuturesgroup.org/advisors.

5.6 Can I contract with a TFG advisor privately?

Yes, as long as the rules are followed.

As a government funded program, TFG advisors must follow strict rules against using government funded programs to build private businesses. All TFG advisors are independent contractors and are encouraged and assumed to have non TFG or “private” clients. We purposefully hire advisors with private businesses because we realize work with private clients keeps TFG advisors on the cutting edge of the tech world.

Situations have arisen in the past where TFG clients have wanted to hire TFG advisors as employees, as board members, or as private consultants. Because TFG wants to support the needs of its clients,

TFG has developed the following process for this type of transition.

The TFG client must initiate the conversation with their advisor requesting a change in status from a TFG client to a private client. The advisor is prohibited from soliciting work from TFG clients.
The TFG advisor must notify the director via email that the client has requested this transition.
The agreement to change status from TFG client to private client must be signed 60 days after the last advising session.
The TFG advisor must inform the director of the specifics of their particular circumstance.
Both the TFG client and TFG advisor must sign a release form stating the request to change status from TFG client to private client.
Once a client has become a private client, TFG no longer compensates the advisor for any time with the client.

In summary, it is possible to contract with your TFG advisor privately, but both the TFG client and TFG advisor must follow the rules carefully.

5.7 Will you sign an NDA?

No, TFG funders prohibits TFG advisors from signing NDA’s. TFG and all advisors are required to abide by the federal privacy act. Client information is protected by federal law.

See Who funds TFG? for founder details.

A more detailed explanation follows below:

All Small Business Administration funded programs are required to abide by the federal Privacy Act. Said act mandates that all sensitive client information be kept strictly confidential and may not be shared even by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) or TFG with any entity without the express written permission of the SBDC/TFG client.

In order to become a business advisor with the SBDC or TFG, all contractors are required to sign a confidentiality agreement, indicating that all clients are clients of the SBDC/TFG as opposed to the individual and as such all client information is strictly protected by the federal privacy act.

The SBDC/TFG is only allowed to share client information in aggregate terms with the SBA and other stakeholders.

Sharing any client information with external parties (non-funders, non stakeholders/partners) is strictly prohibited.

As a result of the protection that SBDC/TFG clients are afforded to them by the federal privacy act, SBDC/TFG advisors are not allowed to sign privacy agreements (e.g. Non Disclosure Agreements or NDAs) even when asked by a client.

Administration (SBA).

Offer your company as a “success story” to be published nationally to Small Business Administration headquarters and the national SBDC network.

Inform TFG of ways to improve.

5.8 .Do you offer courses or a programmatic element?

No, TFG does not offer entrepreneurial courses or a set program. TFG only provides advisory services to clients.

5.9 Does TFG offer technical assistance?

No, TFG only offers business advice. TFG’s advisors are not technologists and cannot provide technical assistance.

5.10 Do you have a demo day or graduation?

No. TFG clients do not “graduate” from TFG.

See How long can I be a TFG client?

Clients can avail themselves to TFG’s services for as long as the client feels TFG is helping.

5.11 Once accepted, how can I be a good client?

Keep communications lines open with your entrepreneur in residence (EIR) and the specialty advisors you may be working with.

Keep them informed of developments in your business.

Let TFG staff and your EIR know by email when you have achieved any economic impact

Capital infusion
Debt
Equity
Grants
Jobs created
Revenue

For example, it is sufficient for you to send an email with your signature to your EIR stating, “We just received $2.2 million in an equity round. Thanks for your help.”

TFG relies on economic impact results for continued funding. Reported results are extremely important for TFG.

Answer surveys from the SBDC lead center or the Small Business