Roadmap To Success Workshop Continues To Mold Successful Start-Up Companies

Since spring 2007, the TRDA Business Innovation Center has conducted Roadmap to Success, a six-week workshop dedicated to helping promising entrepreneurs with all aspects of planning, starting and expanding a business. In November 2008, the TRDA completed one of its largest and most successful installments of this workshop, distributing certificates of completion to 14 entrepreneurs representing 10 different companies.

“The workshop poses all the annoying questions that must be answered in order for a business to be successful”, said TRDA Executive Director Chester Straub, Jr. “It is intensive and there are outside assignments. But, we know from experience that it lays the foundation for a successful business.”

The 14 entrepreneurs represented a broad spectrum of high-tech and service- related concepts—from optical cancer detection to recycling animal waste to improving golf a swing.

One participant, Erick Moody, said the workshop far exceeded his expectations.

“I was certain I knew everything I needed to know and that my vision was clear. Boy, was I wrong,” said Moody, president of Moving Target, Inc. in St. Petersburg. His company develops interactive, Web-based television shows and delivers them through their video portal, DyneTV.com. “The constant admonishment to focus, hone the financials, develop a coherent and sensible message, and to polish that message to a fine sheen was invaluable.”

Other companies completing the workshop in November 2008 include the following:

3.2.1PUTT produces a highly-effective, personal golf putting training system for golfers of all skill levels.

Aerospace Technologies, Inc. uses its industry expertise and associations to market excess uplift capacity on commercial launch vehicles. This excess capacity can be used to launch small payloads less than 2,400 lbs. into Earth orbit or to the Moon.

FishBid, Inc. is launching an online auction system that allows fishermen anywhere in the world to sell their catches directly to wholesalers and supermarkets.

OEMS LLC offers clients technology consultancy services to increase levels of success with new product development, supply chain management and manufacturing.

Pulse Imaging, Inc. is developing an optical tomography system that will aid in early detection of small tumors. The real-time, non-invasive diagnostic technology system uses an ultra-short pulse laser to unveil three-dimensional skin tissue views.

Syed Murshid (a Spin Off company from the Florida Institute of Technology) has a patented technique that can significantly increase optical fiber communications bandwidth.

Telemedicine & Telehealth Technologies specializes in the integration of high-tech health equipment and establishing telemedicine programs for the medical community.

Sigarca, Inc. uses a patented waste-to-energy solution that produces renewable energy and biofertilizer byproducts from horse muck.

Tom Gorsuch is a provider of professional, commercial painting services.

TRDA will host three new sessions of the Roadmap to Success workshop series in 2009. Classes are set to begin on Feb. 18, May 20 and Oct. 14. The workshop is a pre-requisite to be considered for tenancy at the TRDA Business Innovation Center in Melbourne, Fla.

For more information on the workshop and other TRDA business development services, contact Bonnie O’Regan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.trda.org.