Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

March 2011 Issue

• PNNL introduces new Mentor-Protege Program
  Are you a technology-based business with a challenge? Could you benefit from the expertise of seasoned professionals in your field? Or perhaps you are that seasoned professional who is looking to foster companies in need of support. more...
• Vista Engineering Technologies receives "Better Workplace" award
  Vista Engineering Technologies (Vista) was one of three eastern Washington companies to receive an award by Governor Christine Gregoire and the Association of Washington Business for "excellence in protecting, training, and compensating their employees." Vista was nominated for this award by Lampson International President, Bill Lampson. more...
• Sirti announces strong 2010 results
  Sirti-a state agency focused on accelerating the development and growth of innovative technology companies-has released its 2010 Perspective. more...
• Dade Moeller names new vice presidents
  Dade Moeller has named Susan L. Winslow and Stephen L. Bump new company vice presidents. Winslow is vice president of Western Operations; Bump is vice president of operational integration. more...
• White House announces StartUp America Partnership
  As part of President Obama's strategy to stimulate economic growth and the creation of quality jobs, the White House announced the launch of the StartUp America Partnership. more...
• Future Point Systems announces the latest release of Starlight
  Future Point Systems (FPS) has announced the immediate availability of Starlight VIS, Starlight VIS Lite Edition (LE), and Starlight Data Engineer (SDE), version 4.1.4. more...

• Technology Alliance Innovation Showcase Application
  Deadline: March 16. The Innovation Showcase-a program of the Technology Alliance-helps bridge the gap between research and commercialization by highlighting the most promising discoveries and new technologies ready for commercialization in Washington. more...
• Request for proposals - Life Sciences Discovery Fund (LSDF)
  Deadline: March 16. LSDF commercialization grants support small-scale, targeted studies that move promising technologies along the commercialization pathway and reduce the risk of further development. more...
• Cleantech Open networking receptions
  March 22-23.Two Cleantech Open (CTO) networking receptions-in Portland and Seattle-will be held in late March, giving business professionals an opportunity to reconnect with alumni, sponsors, mentors, volunteers, and civic partners. more...
• Resources online
  Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's economic development column "Savor sweet rewards of professional workshops," was published in the Tri-City Herald on February 13. more...
• Seed and Venture Capital 5-session Program
  Mar 1. The Seed Funding and Venture Capital (VC) Course Certificate Program is an insider view to the venture capital process offered by the National Association of Seed and Venture Funds (NASVF) and National Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer. more...

• Life Science Innovation Northwest Conference
  Mar 2-3. The Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association, in partnership with Burrill & Company, is proud to announce the 11th Annual Life Science Innovation Northwest Conference-an innovative approach to the region's premier life sciences. more...
• Alliance NW Conference: opportunities for small businesses conference and trade show
  March 10. Several hundred small business representatives will gather at the Puyallup Fairgrounds for the Alliance Northwest Opportunities for Small Business Conference. more...
• Washington Innovation Summit
  March 18. The Washington Innovation Summit will focus on what really makes innovation economies grow. more...
• Harvesting Clean Energy Conference
  October 23-25. Harvesting Clean Energy is a program of Climate Solutions, a nonprofit organization based in Olympia, Washington. more...
• Mid-Columbia Small Businesses awards banquet looking for nominations, sponsors
  Mar 31. The Mid-Columbia Small Business of the Year Awards recognize small businesses in Benton & Franklin Counties for their exceptional customer service, outstanding commitment to employees, and superior community relations. more...

• Tri-Cities use PNNL report as recruiting tool
  The Tri-Cities ranks better than anyplace else in Washington, except Seattle, in some key areas used to measure its attractiveness to technology-based companies and skilled technical workers. more...

We invite your contributions! We will consider items that fit the mission of this publication, including your tech-related news, awards, and notices of upcoming events. Please send text to Andrea McMakin or call (509) 372-6013.

Tri-Cities Tech Business Update is published by the Economic Development Office at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Each month, we send you an e-mail message, giving you the link of news, tips, awards, upcoming events, and other information about local technology-based businesses and organizations that support them. With business and community partners, our goal is to build and diversify the Tri-Cities economy—adding skilled jobs in primary-sector industries that bring in outside dollars. Currently, more than 1,100 tech-related businesses, investors, and economic development stakeholders subscribe to the newsletter, mostly in the Mid-Columbia area and the rest of the Pacific Northwest. This newsletter (RL-P00-009) supports PNSO's vision for the future of the Hanford Site and surrounding area through the creation of research opportunities, new industries, and new business clusters.