Florida-Based, High-Tech Companies Connect With Investors at High-Profile Event
ORLANDO, FL. (September 21, 2012) – Today, 10 high-tech start-ups had the opportunity to present their business models to national financers at the Igniting Innovation Showcase, hosted by Space Florida and the Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) in Orlando, FL. At the conclusion of the networking event, Space Florida awarded a $100,000 check to BioCurity selected by the judging panel as having the most potential for near-term growth and commercial success, while contributing to Florida’s economy.
BioCurity develops therapeutic solutions for cancer treatment – specifically – the company, based in New Smyrna Beach, FL, has created a topical cream that has the ability to protect cells and tissue exposed to toxic cancer radiation treatments. RadGuard is currently in preliminary trials at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Orlando.
“The management team has a credible track record, and the company has a smart exit strategy and well-protected intellectual property,” noted Bernie McShea, Space Florida Vice President of Business Development and one of the judges participating in the award selection. “This product has the potential to truly benefit mankind in a handful of years. We look forward to watching this company grow and succeed.”
“This event is well on its way to becoming the gold standard for networking opportunities between the investor community and Florida-based advanced stage entrepreneurs,” said Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “The companies that presented today were all very well prepared and made a solid case for funding, tied to potential job creation and impact to Florida’s economy.”
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CLEANTECH LAB NETWORK AVAILABLE THROUGH FL-CAN PROGRAM
Universities Collaborate to Provide a List of Lab Facilities Dedicated to Clean Technology Development
ORLANDO, FL - March 7, 2012 – The Florida Cleantech Acceleration Network Program (FL-CAN) has collaborated with universities within the State University System of Florida to produce an extensive list of laboratory facilities geared towards cleantech industries.
This resource will help entrepreneurs, students, scientists, and established companies connect to laboratories in the state that they need to develop commercial products using Florida-based research.
The list of facilities includes approximately thirty different locations stretching from Boca Raton to Tallahassee and Cocoa to Tampa. Conveniently, www.flcleantech.com has the list organized and sortable by lab title, focus area, and university location. The FL CAN Lab Network is continually updated as new locations are made available or established.
Locations have a wide range of functions, but some cater to very specific needs of the cleantech industry, like the Flexible Roof Facility (FRF), a UCF Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) test facility in Cocoa. This facility is designed to test various residential roofing systems by using six separate attic “cells” that are heavily instrumented with sensors to collect data. Another example, the Particle Engineering Research Center (PERC), is a 17,000 sq. ft. University of Florida facility that includes six analytical laboratories, two processing labs, and a 5,000 sq. ft. testbed with a high bay area, two-ton crane, loading dock, compressed air, and other necessities required to conduct pilot scale experiments.
About FL-CAN: FL-CAN program links Florida-based universities, incubation networks, investors and industry resources together to create a network of Proof of Concept centers to accelerate the creation and commercialization of innovative clean technology research into new technology companies or to license into existing firms. FL-CAN is administered via a partnership between the University of Central Florida, The Technological Research and Development Authority, and the Florida Energy Systems Consortium.
UCF Stands For Opportunity: The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the second largest in the nation with more than 58,000 students. UCF's first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region's economic development. UCF's culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information visit http://news.ucf.edu.
The Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) works with early-stage technology companies and entrepreneurs to accelerate their business planning, fundraising efforts, business development strategies and growth. Since its inception in 1987, TRDA has mentored hundreds of technology entrepreneurs and has supported over 175 new technology companies that have created more than 1,350 high wage jobs throughout Florida. In May 2007 TRDA opened a 31,000 square foot incubator in Melbourne that currently provides facilities and business development services to early-stage technology companies in sectors that include clean energy, software, wireless, IT, semiconductor, biotechnology and other high tech industries. For more information visit http://www.trda.org/
The Florida Energy Systems Consortium (FESC) was created in 2008 by Florida statute to promote collaboration among the energy experts at Florida’s 11 public universities for the purposes of sharing energy-related expertise and assisting in the development and implementation of a comprehensive energy strategic plan for the state. The Consortium was charged with performing research and development on innovative energy systems that lead to alternative energy strategies, improved energy efficiencies, and expanded economic development for the state. To kick off this program, the legislature provided approximately $40M for energy research, education, outreach, and technology commercialization at five of the Florida universities. Please visit www.floridaenergy.ufl.edu to learn more about FESC.
This website and all content within was prepared by The University of Central Florida in partnership with the Technological Research and Development Authority and Florida's Energy Systems Consortium under award #04-79-06583 from Economic Development Administration, and U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Request for Qualifications - Subject Matter Experts
The Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) is seeking qualified subject matter experts (SMEs) to support the business development, professional mentoring and technology assessment and commercialization activities of Florida-based cleean technology entrepreneurs and early-state companies under the initiatives known as Clean Tech Ventures, The Space Coast Clean Energy Jobs Accelerator and the Igniting Innovation Cleantech Acceleration Network (collectively referred to as the Initiatives). For more information CLICK HERE
Space Coast Clean Energy Jobs Accelerator Will Help Expand Central Florida’s Clean Energy Hub
Brevard County, FL (September 9, 2011) –Four Brevard County-based economic development organizations – Space Florida, the Space Coast Energy Consortium, Brevard Workforce and the Technological Research and Development Association (TRDA) – have been awarded a total of $2.2 million in Federal grants to further develop a clean energy hub in Central Florida. Programs and services enabled by the grants will provide employment opportunities in this rapidly growing high-tech sector.
The Space Coast Clean Energy Jobs Accelerator was one of 20 projects nationwide that will share a total of $37 million in federal funding. According to the EDA, “winning projects demonstrated the existence of high-growth industry clusters that support a wide range of economic and workforce development activities.” The breakdown of local awards included:
$1 million from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) – used to:
(1) create a “One-Stop Connector (supported by the Space Coast Energy Consortium) for local energy firms to connect with state and national resources and help build capacity of clean energy companies in the area.
(2) create a Space-to-Energy Regional Innovation Center, which will help space-related and traditional energy companies bring clean energy applications to market through trials and demonstrations utilizing the world-class engineering resources resident at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
$1 million from the Department of Labor – Brevard Workforce will oversee use of these funds and assist growing energy companies identify personnel and training needs and assist members of the Central Florida community obtain the training or certification(s) necessary to fill those job opportunities.
$150,000 from the Small Business Administration (SBA) – This funding will be managed through TRDA and used to mentor small businesses as they work through contracting/ proposal processes to grow their organizations.
Space Florida led the proposal coordination for the Space Coast Clean Energy Jobs Accelerator Team. As part of its proposal targeting the EDA-related grant funding, Space Florida committed to provide matching support of $250,000 to the program.
“These federal funds come at a time when the clean energy cluster is really beginning to thrive in Central Florida,” noted Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “Having four of the area’s top economic development and workforce agencies working together is a recipe for success. We envision this effort resulting in significant job and overall clean energy cluster growth in the next two years.”
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Within 48 months, the Clean Energy Jobs Accelerator team plans to achieve the following outcomes:
Identify 10 companies to receive funding assistance via Federal, State and private financing organizations
Assist the creation of at least five new clean energy-related businesses
Create 200+ new jobs in regional, energy-related companies
Identify 10 companies to collaborate with the Energy Regional Innovation Center at KSC, to sponsor clean tech demonstrations that will accelerate commercialization of emerging technologies
Support long-term planning for Clean Energy Cluster workforce needs, with 80% of participating employers reporting improved availability of skilled and trained workers
Convene 10 events (including the Annual Space Coast Energy Symposium) to connect regional companies and organizations to strengthen the clean energy cluster
Provide related services to at least 80 companies during the project period
"We look forward to the opportunity to leverage this award together with the wide range of federal and community partners involved to build a robust and dynamic energy-related industry here in Central Florida," said Mike Aller, executive director of the Space Coast Energy Consortium.
“We expect this bold initiative to bring education, training and job placement assistance to move participants along a career pathway toward occupations within the Clean Energy cluster,” said Brevard Workforce President Lisa Rice.
"TRDA is pleased to be partner in the Space Coast's effort to support clean technology entrepreneurs bring their ideas to market and grow their companies, and in doing so help to diversify and strengthen the regional economy," added TRDA Executive Director Chester Straub.
Nationwide - according to the EDA - the Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Program is expected to create 4,828 jobs and retain 2,429 jobs, while providing training for 4,000 workers in high-growth industries. It is also anticipated that the effort will help 339 new businesses get off the ground across the country. The Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge was part of the Obama Administration’s Taskforce on Advancing Regional Innovation Clusters.
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About Space Florida: Space Florida was created to strengthen Florida’s position as the global leader in aerospace research, investment, exploration and commerce. As Florida’s aerospace development organization, we are committed to attracting and expanding the next generation of space industry businesses. With its highly trained workforce, proven infrastructure and unparalleled record of achievement, Florida is the ideal location for aerospace businesses to thrive – and Space Florida is the perfect partner to help them succeed. www.spaceflorida.gov.
About The Space Coast Clean Energy Consortium: The Consortium is a non-profit association of businesses and community leaders who are dedicated to driving energy-related economic development in the Space Coast and Central Florida. More information on the Consortium is available at our website: www.SpaceCoastEnergy.org
About Brevard Workforce: Brevard Workforce is the area authority on workforce development, providing comprehensive services, labor market information and access to resources for businesses and job seekers. Visit www.brevardworkforce.com or call 504-7600 toll-free in Brevard for more information about our services and resources.
About TRDA: Launched in 1987, the TRDA is a technology-based economic development organization with a focus on the incubation of new businesses, the acceleration of the growth of existing firms, and the commercialization of innovative technologies. For more information, visitwww.trda.org.
Media Contacts:
Michael Aller Tina Lange, APR Denise Beasley Chester Straub
Space Coast Energy Consortium Space Florida Brevard Workforce TRDA
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