Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

July 2012 Issue

• City of Richland invests $2.3M in new broadband capacity for TCRD
  The City of Richland is investing $2.3 million to upgrade its broadband capabilities to promote growth in the city and at the Tri-Cities Research District (TCRD). more...
• HPM Corporation awarded DOE contract
  Kennewick-based HPM Corp has been awarded a DOE contract of about $99M to provide occupational medical services at the DOE Hanford site. more...
• And the winning app is...
  If you could see how your electricity consumption contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, would you use less energy to reduce that impact? That's the hope of Seattle-based software developers Timothy Edgar and Nathan Jhaveri, who won first prize and $30,000 for their Web application, Leafully, in the Department of Energy's Apps for Energy contest. more...
• Washington number 6 of top 10 states that will boom
  Seattle P.I. - Washington is ranked No. 6 among a list of "The 10 states that will boom over the next 5 years" in the latest issue of Forbes, a ranking based on a study of enterprising states by the National Chamber Foundation. more...
• Seattle area economy rated third in U.S; Tri-Cities comes in thirteen
  Seattle P.I. - The Seattle area ranks #3 and the Tri-Cities #13 when it comes to the nation's strongest economy, according to a new report looking at performance over an extended period. more...
• Crowds bring power, payoff to entrepreneurs
  In the past few years, crowdfunding has become a disruptive element in the startup process, enabling inventors and promoters of numerous causes to generate capital through a consensus of virtual supporters, a money-giving tree of sorts, without sacrificing equity in their projects or circling the glove chasing venture capital and angel money. more...
• U.S. students flock to graduate science programs
  The data are largely absent from most discussions about the inadequacies of science education in the United States. more...

• Awards competition for patent owners
  The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced Patents for Humanity, an awards competition for patent owners and licensees. more...
• UW launches venture fund to spur startups
  Seattle Times - The Seattle area's newest venture capital fund has a distinct purple-and-gold tinge. more...
• SBIR proposal writing tip: resubmitting a proposal to NIH
  Unlike some other agencies, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) allow SBIR and STTR applicants to resubmit unsuccessful grant proposals. more...
• Introducing GeekWire's new resource center for startups
  Startups are a critical component of the tech industry. In the spirit of empowering entrepreneurs and connecting them to information, partners, and other key resources, GeekWire has launched the web-based Startup Resource Center. more...
• Nine things startups must know before approaching lenders
  Entrepreneur - If it seems like you're still swimming against the tide to find money for your small business, you're not alone. more...

• Developing your capabilities statement workshop
  July 10. Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center hosts this workshop to assist small businesses with the development of an effective capabilities statement. more...
• 25th Industry Growth Forum application deadline
  July 13. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) invites emerging clean energy startups from across the globe to apply to present their business opportunities at the 25th Industry Growth Forum. more...
• Webinar: Building Sustainable Energy Programs with Biogas
  July 18. This live and interactive webcast - hosted by Caterpillar ­- is designed to provide an overview of how to identify and overcome commercial and technical challenges encountered while identifying and executing a biogas power generation project. more...
• Lab2Market application deadline
  July 20. Do you have a product, technology, or other business idea that you're exploring? Lab2Market 2012 helps aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators develop their value propositions and create their investor pitches. more...
• How to Start a Business - Smart Start workshop
  August 3. Washington State University Tri-Cities is hosting Smart Start: Steps to Starting a Business Workshop. more...
• Webinar: Accelerating Innovation - Biomass
  August 8. The webinar will highlight four biomass-focused National Laboratory technologies, all of which are found on the Energy Innovation Portal. more...

• Country's largest smart grid demo project kicks off this fall
  After more than two years of planning, the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project, the country's largest smart grid initiative, will officially get rolling this fall. more...
• PNNL receives awards for new technologies
  Two innovations developed by researchers at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory were recognized by R&D Magazine as among the past year's 100 most significant scientific and technological products or advances. more...
• Seminars, opportunities, and announcements on EDO's Facebook page
  The Economic Development Office at PNNL has a Facebook page dedicated to providing entrepreneurs and high-tech firms with information of value. more...
• Virden tapped to lead PNNL's energy, environment research efforts
  Jud Virden, a 20-year laboratory veteran with experience creating energy research partnerships with U.S. more...
• Battelle among top philanthropists in the state
  Battelle, which manages PNNL, was honored as one of the state's top 75 corporate philanthropists in May by the Puget Sound Business Journal and the Seattle Foundation. 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.