Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

December 2010 Issue

Tech News and Notes

WA ranks #2 for innovative economy

According to the 2010 State New Economy Index, Washington ranks second, behind Massachusetts, when it comes to the innovation economy. Washington's high ranking comes from its strong performance in the categories of manufacturing, value-added export focus, online population, on-line agriculture, scientists and engineers, patents, and venture capital and alternative energy use. Read more or contact Robert Atkinson at (202) 449-1351.

Tri-Cities leaders promote education, energy, research, and manufacturing

A recent visit to China, sponsored by the Washington Commerce Department, provided an unparalleled opportunity to promote the Tri-Cities as the ideal location for investment in new business and industry. Carl Adrian, president of the Tri-City Development Council, was pleased with the results of the visit, "Chinese companies are looking to expand internationally." Washington State is the most trade-dependent state in America and China holds the top spot among Washington's trading partners. Read more or contact Diahann Howard at (509) 375-3060.

DOE establishes Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee (ERAC)

The U.S. Department of Energy has established the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy  Advisory Committee (ERAC), a federal advisory committee that will report directly to the Secretary of Energy. The ERAC's 19 members are expected to meet twice a year. ERAC will periodically review EERE's portfolio and provide advice on various topics including: completion of long-range plans, priorities and strategies; program funding; and any issues of specific concern. The members of the ERAC come with a wide range of experience and expertise and include the University of Washington Bill & Melinda Gates Chair in Computer Science and Engineering, Ed Lazowska. Read more.

Washington claims top spot for patents per employee

Following several years of growth, Washington emerged as a leader in patenting per employee for the first time. For the five-year period between 2004 and 2009, the state increased its patent per employee figure by almost 90 percent. In 2004, Washington produced 90.6 patents per 100,000 employees, which grew to 171.2 patents in 2009. Increased patenting activity at Microsoft, and to some extent Boeing, drove the state's rise from its position as the 12th most active patenting state per employee to the national leader. Washington also had the highest rate of growth of any state during the five-year period. Read more or contact the State Science & Technology Institute at (614) 901-1690.

Alliance of Angels welcomes new sponsor, Pay Plus Benefits

The Alliance of Angels (AoA) is a group of individual accredited investors interested in financing early-stage technology companies in the Pacific Northwest. The AoA acts as a matchmaker for high-growth companies and interested investors. The purpose of the organization is to help grow innovative businesses and provide investment opportunities and resources to our investor members. Pay Plus Benefits, a Kennewick-based company that provides human resources  solutions, has been named as the AoA's newest sponsor. Contact Greg Huey at (206) 389-7321.

Tri-Cities-based web software firm launching new chat tool to local businesses

&yet, a Tri-Cities based web software company is launching a new web chat tool called Frontdesk IM to the local Tri-Cities market. Frontdesk IM's live chat bar can be quickly added to any site to help small and medium sized businesses harness the power of their website traffic. Inspired by the friendly chat many users are familiar with on websites like Facebook, Frontdesk IM lets site visitors ask questions and chat directly with front desk staff, who are using Frontdesk's simple dashboard. Each visitor gets immediate interaction rather than having to search the website for information they can't find, dig for a phone number to call, or wait for a return email from a contact form. Contact Adam Brault at (509) 987-7728.

Innovation Center at TCRD Update

Rick Parsons, local spokesman and a member of the development team for the Innovation Center at the TCRD, provided an update regarding their exciting new development in the Tri-Cities Research District. The partners are currently in the final phase of their market analysis to determine the space requirements needed for a 13,000 square foot building that will provide teaching labs and office space. This building will be located on George Washington Way south of Third Street and will be completed in May 2011. Construction documents for a second 47,500 square foot, LEED-certified, Class A Spec Building have been submitted to the City of Richland. This building is expected to be completed by April 2011 and will be located in the Innovation Center complex off of University Drive. Read more or contact Rick Parsons at (509) 375-3060.

Easterday Farms support BSEL

The Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory at WSU Tri-Cities received a $225,000 donation from Easterday Ranches and Farms to support research for turning local agricultural waste into bioenergy. The donation, to be given over three years, will pay for an Easterday Graduate Research Fellow to focus on the anaerobic digestion of wastes such as those produced by Easterday's row crop and cattle feeding operations. BSEL also unveiled a new one-of-a-kind mechanism that the laboratory believes will provide the bridge needed to convert laboratory research into the basis for a local industry producing useful goods from agricultural waste. BSEL staff worked with Vista Engineering Technologies in Richland to design and assemble the $575,000 system. Read more or contact Annette Cary at (509) 582-1533.

Tech Opportunities and Resources

The Technology Alliance Innovation Showcase

Next application deadline: Dec 3. The Innovation Showcase is a program of the Technology Alliance that helps bridge the gap between research and commercialization by highlighting the most promising discoveries and new technologies ready for commercialization in Washington. Benefits include: the opportunity to expand your businesses' network to include those in the startup community, work with expert coaches-at no cost to you-to hone your pitch before meeting with investors, and become a member of a collegial community interested in following your future successes. Apply online.

Washington Technology Center hiring for SBIR program manager

The Washington Technology Center (WTC) is looking to fill a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Manager position. The WTC is a state-chartered economic development organization committed to increasing innovation and technology throughout the state of Washington in all industries and economic sectors. This position will manage all aspects of WTC's SBIR outreach program, including, marketing, planning, and executing SBIR activities and events. This person will report to and partner with the director, innovation programs, to ensure WTC's innovation and funding programs and activities are visible and active throughout the state. Apply online.

Dream Big - Small Business of the Year Award

Deadline: Jan 7. Apply for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award and win a $10,000 cash prize courtesy of Sam's Club. Eligible applicants will be judged on staff training and motivation, community involvement, customer service, and business strategies and goals. The business must have less than 250 employees, have gross revenues of less than $20 million in 2009, and be able to attend America's Small Business Summit 2011. Apply online or nominate someone that embodies sprit of free enterprise.

Life Science Innovation Northwest Conference accepting applications to present at the conference

Deadline: Jan 19. The Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association, in partnership with Burrill & Company, is proud to announce the 11th Annual Life Science Innovation Northwest Conference. Applications are now being accepted to be a presenter at this meeting. The conference provides private and public life science companies the opportunity to present to an audience of investors and business development executives at the only regional conference of its kind. Take advantage of this opportunity to inform other life science professionals about your organization's innovation, direction, and mission. Apply online.

Resources online

The column "Technical conferences good for more than doughnuts, coffee," was published in the Tri-City Herald on November 14. The article discusses the real potential for technical conferences to spur local and regional economic development in the Tri-Cities region. Read the article.

Tech Dates and Deadlines

Developing Your Capability Statement class

Dec 8.The Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) program at the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce is designed to help the Washington State Business community in all areas of selling to local, state, federal agencies, and government prime contractors. This class is designed to teach interested parties about how to develop a capability statement and how you use it for government contracting. Register online.

Tapping into Technology Transfer and Commercialization: How to Build a Knowledge-Driven Economy

Jan 19. Join the International Economic Development Council to learn how your community can work to transfer innovations from companies, universities, and research labs to create new products, processes, applications, and services. By attending the web seminar, you will: understand the technology transfer and commercialization process and actors involved, identify local sources of innovation, as well as commercialization partners, and learn how to develop and grow new programs that lead to the creation of knowledge-based companies and jobs. Note: it is open to IEDC members and non-members (difference in fee). Register online.

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. The meeting focuses on the state of the biotech industry in the Pacific Northwest and worldwide. The challenges and opportunities, capital availability, and success stories are just a few of the topics on tap for this must-attend meeting for CEOs, scientists, business development executives, financiers, and anyone with an interest in biotechnology. Register online.

PNNL This Month

New PNNL labs win design awards

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's new Biological Sciences Facility and Computational Sciences Facility complex won a Best of 2010 Award from Northwest Construction in the research category. The award recognizes excellence in design and construction, as well as innovations that promote sustainability. It is one of 20 projects from Washington, Oregon and Alaska to be honored. The award is sponsored by McGraw-Hill and will be profiled in the December issue of Northwest Construction. In addition, The Building of America Network has selected the complex for a Building of America Award case study at buildingofamerica.com. Read more.

PNNL's Richard Smith named 2010 Scientist of the Year

Parkinson's disease, cancer and biofuels production are just a few problems that biochemist Dick Smith has helped untangle in his long career of technological innovation and scientific insight. Now, R&D Magazine has honored Smith as 2010 Scientist of the Year for his many significant contributions to science. Since the Human Genome Project developed a blueprint of all human genes in our chromosomes earlier this century, proteomics researchers, like Smith, have pushed to understand how the blueprint creates life. In the last few years, Smith has led work that trimmed analytical steps from hours to minutes. The increase in speed has enabled many samples to be processed faster in high-throughput experiments. Smith led other advances in sensitivity and accuracy that have improved the ability to find rare proteins, bringing proteomics technology to the doorstep of clinical researchers. Read more.

PNNL says restaurants can cut energy use by 50%

A Pacific Northwest National Laboratory report shows restaurants can reduce energy use by more than 50% by adding ultra-efficient appliances. This would dually benefit restaurants with cost-savings and the environment from wasted energy. Red Lobster restaurant in Kennewick has been proactively trying to cut back on energy use. They started the effort over two years ago with help from PNNL's Technology Assistance Program. Manager Jessica Bennett says, "PNNL installed a new freezer lighting system. They used LED lighting that replaced our fluorescent lighting system." By inserting the new lighting system, Red Lobster was able to save energy and also fix a recurring maintenance problem that happens with most fluorescent lights. Read more.

Got News?

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 DOE-Richland's vision for the future of the Hanford Site and surrounding area through the creation of research opportunities, new industries, and new business clusters