SBIR-STTR Award

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop multi-dimensional neurodynamic models of the cognitive organizations of teams that span zero history to proven entrepreneurial teams (ET), with the purpose of developing a neurophysiologic instrument to rate a team's entrepreneurial aptitude. This continuum will be developed using an established business training task that will be performed by zero history teams, student teams participating in the Edson Entrepreneurial Initiative within the Venture Catalyst at ASU and established entrepreneurial teams recruited either from the Venture Catalyst or from recent NSF SBIR awardees. Neurodynamic models will be generated using EEG technologies and protocols previously developed for high fidelity military training activities. These models dynamically follow the engagement and workload of each member of the team as well as the entire team and will be customized for studying entrepreneurial teams. By exploring the neurological functioning of ET more informed theory may be produced to better understand and predict which teams are likely to become sustained ET. Furthermore, by developing quantitative measures / models that reflect team experience / efficiency we may begin to develop training approaches to accelerate and test the development of the ET skillset. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project lies in its generality. The metrics and modeling approaches will be easily customized for other business and non-business (i.e. education, training and / or military) related team activities enhancing the commercial potential of the product. The proprietary neurodynamic assessment system will be marketed to corporate training / coaching programs, financial backers who wish to decrease uncertainty in ventures, and entrepreneurial organizations who wish to optimize their performance

The continuous operation of a submarine is a complex, dynamic activity requiring a team that is highly trained, organized and cognitively ready. The training to develop these skills includes high fidelity simulations and open-water experiences. Nevertheless mishaps do occur, leading to the need to develop a deeper understanding of the ways successful teams operate and create operational resilience. These methods would enable those who assess and prepare crews for deployment to look for and build up these practices. Previous research by The Learning Chameleon, Inc. has developed EEG-derived methodologies for identifying changes related to the cognitive organization and readiness of navigation teams that can be collected in required training sessions that are sensitive to short (seconds) and long (minutes) term changes in the task and that can distinguish the performances of Junior Officer and experienced navigation teams. The proposed studies will link this research to an advanced simulation platform called the Submarine Bridge Trainer that will be delivered to the Submarine Learning Center shortly. The result will be the development of a system providing near real-time neurodynamic indicators of the cognitive readiness and organization of teams based on the behaviors and practices identified as being important for Submarine Operational Resilience.

Keywords:
Team Neurodynamics, Electroencephalography, Latent Semantic Analysis, Multifractal, Complexity