Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

August 2012 Issue

• Spend a weekend starting your business
  For those thinking about starting a business, there's a new game around--the Startup Weekend, a fast-paced, hands-on experience designed to help entrepreneurs quickly determine whether their startup ideas are worth pursuing. more...
• The state of Washington's economy - perceptions of today and tomorrow
  Recently the results of a May 2011 study on the state of Washington's economy were released and presented to the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau, and Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC). more...
• Venture capital more than doubles in Washington State
  The money certainly was flowing in the second quarter with $312 million invested in 32 companies, more than double the $132 million that was invested for the same period last year, according to a report by CB Insights. more...
• Developer wants new retail hub in Richland
  A private developer is moving forward with plans to create a retail hub at University and Stevens Drives in Richland's Tri-Cities Research District (TCRD). more...
• TRIDEC worried by DOE initiative
  The Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC) is concerned that an initiative intended to provide more work to small businesses at Hanford may do more harm than good to the local economy. more...

• Entrepreneurs have a potential new source for funding
  Microsoft has created a new angel investment fund and startup incubator--Bing Fund--founded by entrepreneurs, sponsored by Bing, and backed by the experience, expertise, and resources of Microsoft. more...
• Researcher Guidebook aims to improve institutional-industrial partnerships
  A team of contributors from universities, industry, and national laboratories has created a publication aimed at helping industrial and institutional researchers work together more effectively. more...
• Small Business Incentive Program
  Do you have an employee who needs training? Are you using outdated software? Do you need a new printer? The Chamber wants to help your business! The Small Business Incentive Program was established by the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce (TCRCC) in 2011 through funding from Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS). more...
• University of Washington to offer free online classes
  The University of Washington is joining a massive, free experiment in online education that adherents believe has the potential to revolutionize the way college classes are taught, open up access to some of the university's most sought-after courses, and drive down the cost of a degree. more...
• How to start conversations that make instant connections
  For entrepreneurs, knowing how to communicate clearly and effectively is critical in leading a company--and selling your business ideas. 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: Air Force SBIR/STTR webinars
  August 7 & 8: Presented by retired Air Force personnel, the August 7 webinar will focus on how the Air Force operates its SBIR and STTR programs and how they generate topics and evaluate proposals. more...
• Webinar: Accelerating Innovation - Biomass
  August 8. The Accelerating Innovation - Biomass webinar will highlight four biomass-focused National Laboratory technologies, all of which are found on the DOE's Energy Innovation Portal. more...
• SBIR/STTR letter of intent due
  September 4. Topics for the FY13 Department of Energy (DOE) SBIR/STTR Phase I Release 1 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) have been issued and are available on the DOE SBIR/STTR website. more...
• Startup Day
  September 22. Designed for entrepreneurs in the midst of building their own companies as well as would-be entrepreneurs about to take the plunge, Startup Day will pack a high-energy and inspirational punch no matter where you are in the startup process. more...

• PNNL to spend $1M grant on nuclear research
  Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has been awarded almost $1M as part of a Department of Energy initiative to help restart the nation's nuclear industry. more...
• 5 don't-miss grid innovations from a U.S. national laboratory
  PNNL is leveraging rich new data streams and high-computing horsepower to create a suite of analytic tools that will deliver new insights to control room operators--insights that will allow unprecedented grid performance. more...
• New chief scientist joins Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory
  Sherry L. Cady, an expert on how microbes living in extreme environments interact with and influence their surroundings, has joined the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. more...
• Farmers Market - now WEEKLY through September 10
  The PNNL Farmers Market will now be open every Monday through September 10 (closed Labor Day). Swing by to pick up some great, fresh, local food! This wonderful weather we've been having should bring some great produce to the market. 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 and photos to Diane Kahler or call (509) 372-4133.

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.