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 Contacts: Lisa
Nason – 407/316-4716
Erin Heston – 407/316-4644
~ SBIR/STTR “Phase 0” Pilot Program to assist technology
companies in improving their chances of receiving a Phase I Small
Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer
award ~
ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 21, 2005) – In partnership with Florida’s
University Technology Transfer Offices and Florida’s Technology
Incubators, Enterprise Florida, Inc., (EFI) presented the inaugural “Phase
0” Pilot Program awards to three UCF Technology Incubator
companies: Rapid Mold, Inc., Red Lambda, Inc., and Welnia, LLC.
Said John Adams, Enterprise Florida President and CEO, “Today’s
ceremony marks an important milestone in this project, and it’s
a great pleasure to join in presenting these awards. Providing
grants to help innovative small businesses gain access to the Small
Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer
proposal process has tremendous value, and I applaud the involvement
of all participants. This grant program really hits the sweet spot
for small companies that are focused on innovation and technology
transfer.”
In attendance at the UCF-hosted event were Carol Ann Dykes, COO,
UCF Technology Incubator; Daniel Holsenbeck, UCF VP for University
Relations; Fred Kittinger, UCF University Relations; John Adams,
Enterprise Florida President and CEO; Bill Kean, Enterprise Florida;
Linda Ivey and Ron Mitzel, Welnia, LLC; Gregory Marchwinski,
Red Lambda, Inc.; David Byron & Peter Sheres, Rapid Mold, Inc.
“Today’s presentation is tangible validation of the
strong partnership between EFI and the entire technology partnership
across the state. Working together with state economic development
leaders to build a technology infrastructure will be crucial to
the success of Florida’s innovation-driven businesses,” said
Carol Ann Dykes, COO of the University of Central Florida Technology
Incubator. “This is the first time we’ve had a program
to lend a hand. These are critical dollars for small companies.
This is how measurable progress and change happens.”
- more -
Recognizing that overall SBIR/STTR (Small Business Innovation
Research/Small Business Technology Transfer) success rates for
proposals submitted by Florida companies are very low compared
to other states (FL ranks #38), EFI is funding the “Phase
0” grant pilot project to support qualified companies in
SBIR/STTR Phase 1 proposal development activities. The objective
of the Pilot Program is to enable Florida companies to submit higher
quality proposals and have a higher award rate. The end result
will be providing more Florida companies with access to one of
the largest sources of early-stage capital available. Grants were
announced for the following companies:
Welnia LLC develops customized lifestyle modification and disease
prevention programs aimed at achieving short- and long-term health
goals. By assessing participants’ medical information, lifestyle
preferences, genetic predisposition, physical limitations and health
objectives – the company creates comprehensive wellness program
for clients. Welnia’s unique multi-sensor armband and companion
software help motivate, monitor and assess participants’ progress.
The company also has created a Motivational Monitoring system for
fitness membership and Internet services that enables clients to
work closely with the company on wellness goals.
Rapid Mold, Inc. helps entrepreneurs and companies create molds
and prototypes that enable quick product development and market
launches. The company manages the complete molding process – from
product design to modeling and prototyping to short or large run
injection molding. Rapid Mold’s skilled professionals offer
technical guidance in design, material selection and manufacturing
processes to help clients identify the most economical production
methods. The company also produces finished products using patented
technologies such as diamond layered coatings, ceramics, safety
devices and other industrial technologies.
Red Lambda is a computer software company specializing in secure
content management. Using technology developed at the University
of Florida, the company developed Icarus, a comprehensive network
and security management
Three Statewide organizations partner to assist Florida’s
Technology Companies p/3
system for effectively fighting illegal peer-to-peer file sharing.
Through authorized usage, Icarus enables legitimate peer-to-peer
file networking. Red Lambda’s unique system allows clients
to reclaim bandwidth previously consumed by illegal activities
and avoid copyright infringement lawsuits.
Submissions for Phase 0 grants are assessed for suitability and
viability. A non-refundable application fee of $250 is required
from the participating companies; all participants will receive
results of a Technology Fit/Innovativeness Assessment by the Lytmos
Group, LLC, even if they do not receive a grant. The assessment
includes an analysis of the proposed technology’s fit with
the relevant federal agency’s solicitation, along with an
assessment of the technology’s innovativeness. The Phase
0 grants are available in amounts up to $2500. The pilot program
will run from the date of implementation through depletion of available
funds.
EFI has partnered with 17 technology incubators and university
technology transfer offices across the state for implementation
of the pilot program. Eligible companies are incubator clients
and university licensees who meet the federal SBIR/STTR criteria
and have not received a Phase 1 award in the last 5 years. Participating
Technology Incubators and University Technology Transfer Offices
include:
Florida A&M University, Office of Technology Transfer, Licensing & Commercialization
Florida Atlantic University, Office of Technology Transfer
Florida International University, Office of Intellectual Property
Management
Florida State University Research Office of IP Development and
Commercialization
University of Florida, Office of Technology Licensing
University of Florida Sid Martin Biotechnology Development Incubator
University of Miami, Technology Transfer
Nova Southeastern University Health Professions Division
University of Central Florida, Office of Research and Commercialization
University of Central Florida Technology Incubator
BETA – 1 Business & Emerging Technology Accelerator (Amelia
Island)
Technology Enterprise Center (Jacksonville)
Gainesville Technology Enterprise Center (GTEC)
Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center (Titusville)
Three Statewide organizations partner to assist Florida’s
Technology Companies p/4
University of South Florida Tampa Bay Technology Incubator
STAR TEC (Largo)
Enterprise Development Corporation Technology Business Incubator
at FAU
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Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s
business and government leaders and is the principal economic development
organization for the State of Florida. Headquartered in Orlando,
EFI’s mission is to create and retain quality jobs and increase
economic opportunities for Floridians by supporting strong and
growing businesses and positioning Florida as a globally competitive
business location. In pursuit of its mission, EFI works closely
with a statewide network of economic development partners and is
funded both by the State.
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