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~ Company Receives Federal Small Business
Innovation Research Grant
With Assistance of EFI's "Phase 0" Pilot Program
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ORLANDO, Fla. (May 8, 2006) - Enterprise Florida,
Inc., (EFI) today congratulated Orlando software developer Red
Lambda, Inc. on its recent Small Business Innovation Research
(SBIR) federal grant award, which it received with the help of
EFI's SBIR/STTR "Phase 0" Pilot Program. In partnership
with technology incubators throughout the state, EFI developed
and funded the "Phase 0" project to support qualified
companies in developing proposals for federal SBIR and Small
Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase 1 grants.
"Red Lambda's successful bid for this federal SBIR funding
is a credit to the company's hard work and imagination," said
Enterprise Florida President and CEO John Adams. "As we
congratulate this Florida innovator on the progress of its cutting-edge
research, Enterprise Florida and its partners celebrate this
first success of the 'Phase 0' program, which is a critical element
of our efforts to enhance technology transfer in Florida."
Red Lambda, a computer software company specializing in secure
content management, has launched a SBIR Phase I project to develop
network security trending analysis and reporting software. The
project seeks to create a system that automatically analyzes
network behavior to detect "security events," such
as viruses or spybot programs. Red Lambda's "cGrid::security" technology
will compare a series of network variations to help pinpoint
problems in real-time. Rather than over- or under-reporting security
issues like many current security solutions, this technology
will provide accurate analysis and solutions - saving time and
resources for IT professionals.
"Red Lambda's goal is to develop a platform to efficiently
and effectively identify and manage network security, saving
businesses time and personnel resources," said Red Lambda,
Inc. President Gregory Marchwinski. "We're proud to be the
first 'Phase 0' award recipient to succeed in securing a federal
SBIR grant, enabling us to transition our technology from the
lab to the marketplace."
EFI
Applauds Red Lambda's Federal SBIR Grant Success
Red Lambda's current project will enhance software technology
it licensed from the University of Florida. The original "cGrid::security" technology
was a comprehensive network and security management system for
effectively fighting illegal peer-to-peer file sharing and enabling
legitimate peer-to-peer networking. The company's partnership
with state university researchers highlights the purpose of the "Phase
0" Pilot Program: to assist university research spin-offs
and technology companies in improving their chances of receiving
a federal funding to continue product development.
One of the largest sources of early-stage capital available,
federal SBIR/STTR grants can provide critical funding for Florida's
start-up companies. Yet the success rate for SBIR/STTR proposals
submitted by Florida companies has been low compared to other
states (Florida ranks 38th nationally). In 2005, EFI partnered
with Florida's University Technology Transfer Offices and Florida's
Technology Incubators to address the problem and help Florida
companies submit high-quality proposals. In addition to Red Lambda,
six other companies have received "Phase 0" grants
from EFI and its partners.
"By providing grants to help innovative small businesses
gain access to the Small Business Innovation Research or Small
Business Technology Transfer proposal process, we help transform
homegrown innovation into flourishing, job-creating business," said
Carol Ann Dykes, COO of the University of Central Florida Technology
Incubator.
- "Phase 0" grants are available in amounts
up to $2,500 for eligible companies, which 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.
Companies interested in submitting proposals for the grants
must pay a non-refundable application fee of $250. Proposals
are assessed for suitability and viability, and 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.
For more information about participating in EFI's "Phase
0" Pilot Program, contact Bill Kean at bkean@eflorida.com or
407/316-4504.
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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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