TRDA Launches New Business Incubator

Entrepreneurship in Central Florida took center stage in August with the grand opening of the TRDA’s newest business incubation center in Melbourne, Fla. The new 30,998-square-foot TRDA Business Innovation Center will serve up to 30 new or expanding technology businesses in the area and create 70 to 100 jobs in the first four years of operation.

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TRDA Appoints Advisors for New Business Incubator

Thirteen business professionals will serve as national advisory board members, officers and committee chairs for the TRDA Business Innovation Center, Melbourne’s new business incubation facility that opened Aug. 16.

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FNBIC Client Secures Robotic Contract with M.I.T

Congratulations to Bhargav Gajjar, president of Space Robotics Corp. and tenant at the Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center (FNBIC). Gajjar secured a contract with renowned robotics expert Dr. Hugh Herr at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Media Lab to develop a revolutionary robotic ankle. This intelligent robotic prosthesis behaves like a human ankle, and the motor on it switches at precise times in the gait cycle adding energy and reducing the metabolic cost of walking which makes walking much easier and less tiresome for amputees. This pioneering advancement in prosthetics was recently featured on the NBC Nightly News.

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2007 Teacher Quest Program Participants Honored

The TRDA hosted its first Teacher Quest Recognition Luncheon on Aug. 3 to honor participants in the 2007 teacher professional development program. Sponsored by the TRDA, the Teacher Quest program gives K-12 teachers the chance to become paid summer employees at select science- and technology-based businesses in Florida. Teachers gain valuable industry knowledge and take it back to the classroom to make math, science and technology studies more exciting and challenging for students.

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Upcoming TRDA Business Innovation Center Seminars

Oct. 17
“Essential Strategies for Marketing Technology
Products and Services”
Hosted by Susan Evander, founder of Technology Insights. 1-4 p.m.  Free and open to the public. Advance registration required.

Oct. 23                       
“Intellectual Property”
A seminar on patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and more. Hosted by Brian Steinberger, patent attorney. 6-8 p.m. Free and open to the public. Advanced registration required.

Nov. 6              
“Big Things Every Small Business Should Know”
Featuring speakers from CECU, DDM Payroll Systems, Natwick Insurance, HSA Florida and the College of Business at Florida Tech. 8:30 a.m. - Noon. By invitation only.

Nov. 7                        
“Roadmap to Success”
workshop series begins.  7-9 p.m., Wednesdays. Hosted by the TRDA Business Innovation Center. Open to the public. $395 for the six-week series. Advance registration required.

Nov. 8-9         
“Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Boot Camp”
Hosted by Jim and Gail Greenwood, nationally renowned SBIR trainers. $75. Open to the public. Advance registration required.

All seminars are held at the TRDA Business Innovation Center, located at 1050 W. NASA Blvd.  For more information, visit www.trda.org or contact Bonnie O’Regan at (321) 872-1050, ext. 107 or via e-mail at boregan@trda.org.

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