Comment on FR Doc # 2012-11586

I am personally against the proposal to amend regulations pertaining to size and eligibility requirements for both the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program. The Small Business Administration (SBA) was created to assist small businesses who are owned by individuals and small groups of business partners. To allow small businesses which are owned by venture capitalists and other firms would saturate the limited availability of opportunities for truly small businesses. This would put entrepreneurs in an unfair position, having to compete for funding opportunities with larger, more established firms. These small businesses which are owned by larger companies should be able to adequate allocate resources and capital from other sources. Sometimes the SBA is the only place a new start up or small firm can go to help expand their business while advancing America’s technological aspirations. I implore you to reject the proposed amendment to allow firms whose owners consist of larger firms to compete with truly small businesses. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Joseph L. O’Donnell Entrepreneur