Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

February 2011 Issue

Tech News and Notes

Tri-Cities Index of Innovation and Technology

The Economic Development Office of PNNL has published a companion report to other Washington State index studies that report on the tech-based economy of the state. The Tri-Cities Index of Innovation and Technology reports statistics on the Kennewick-Richland-Pasco areas, including technology businesses, and important characteristics that the Tri-Cities have as places to live and do business. The report also compares the Tri-Cities area to other technology-based metropolitan areas in the Pacific Northwest and nation along critical dimensions known to be important to technology firms. Read more or contact Gary Spanner at 509-372-4926

 

Vista Engineering Technologies plugs into new market

Vista Engineering Technologies, LLC (Vista) recently announced its entrance into the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle market. Vista will provide plug-in conversions for Toyota Prius and other Hybrid Electric Vehicles, as well as installation of charging station infrastructure at businesses, residences, and government facilities throughout the region. Vista's expansion into the electric vehicle market will also include engineering and integration services for private and public sector fleets of mid-to-heavy duty vehicles including vanpools, buses, and delivery trucks. Contact KC Kuykendall at 509-737-1377.

Viper Aircraft partners with German company for development and sales

Viper Aircraft Corporation, of Pasco, and Skygate Collection GmbH & CO KG (Skygate) located in Hasselroth, Germany, have recently signed a preferred merchant license agreement where Skygate will develop and sell radio-controlled scale models of all current and future Viperjet aircraft designs. The Viperjet is a two-place, tandem seat, fully aerobatic, composite personal jet aircraft. Contact Amber Hanchette at 509-546-3570.

Wine Science Center at WSU Tri-Cities

Washington State University (WSU) and the Washington wine industry are partnering to build the Wine Science Center at WSU Tri-Cities-a teaching and research facility that will rival any of its kind in the world. The 45,000-square-foot, LEED-certified building will incorporate a gravity-flow winery, grape and wine analysis laboratory, a sensory laboratory, wine microbiology laboratory, plant molecular laboratory, and greenhouses for vine propagation and plant physiology research. The Port of Benton has offered approximately five acres of land adjacent to WSU Tri-Cities and within the Tri-Cities Research District. Private fundraising to build the facility is underway, as are plans to seek state, federal, and other funds to equip and furnish the facility. WSU is hoping to break ground in 2013, with targeted opening in 2015. Contact Sharon Holden at 509-372-7207.

Tech Opportunities and Resources

CBC Career Expo seeks employers

Feb 17. Businesses looking for a large pool of employee candidates are in luck.  On Thursday, February 17, Columbia Basin College will hold its annual Career Expo from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Byron Gjerde Center on the Pasco campus. CBC Student Employment is seeking employers to exhibit at this year's Career Expo. Employers can utilize the Expo to network with other local businesses, gather resumes to consider for current and future job openings, and schedule interviews with potential candidates. To register, contact Daphne Lightfoot at 509-542-5559.

Call for proposals: Life Sciences Discovery Fund

March 16. The Life Sciences Discovery Fund (LSDF) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for two commercialization grant competitions for 2011. LSDF commercialization grants support small-scale, targeted studies that move promising technologies along the commercialization pathway and reduce the risk of further development. This type of work is often termed proof of principle, reduction to practice, or prototype development. Funded proposals will describe clearly how the scientific and technical work will be coordinated with development of the commercial opportunity. View application requirements and apply here.

Mid-Columbia Small Business Awards Banquet nomination packets available

March 18. The annual Small business of the Year Awards Banquet recognizes small businesses in Benton & Franklin Counties for their exceptional customer service, outstanding commitment to employees, and superior community relations. The Small Business Awards Committee is pleased to accept nominations from any citizen of Benton or Franklin Counties who is an employee, customer, supplier, or regulator of the nominated business. Intent to nominate forms must be returned by March 18th to receive an additional 5 points toward their nomination score. Packets are available at: TRIDEC, TCVCB, KNDU, Esprit Graphics, Ikon Marketing Group, and Agape Events. The awards banquet will be held Thursday, May 5th at the Pasco Red Lion. Contact May Hays at 509-967-0521.

Call for applications: First Look Forum

April 12. If you are at an inflection point in your business and need help taking it to the next level, the First Look Forum is for you. Applying to the Northwest Entrepreneur Network's First Look Forum gives you the chance to access the breadth and depth of coaches, advisors, investors, and more-all dedicating their time and talents to help your business reach the next level of success. Register online.

Resources online

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's economic development column "On the job, some things are better left unsaid," was published in the Tri-City Herald on January 9. The article discusses how trade secrets are the keys to competitive advantage, and keeping them are paramount to a sustainable business. Read the article.

Tech Dates and Deadlines

2011 Tri-Cities Regional Economic Outlook

Feb 2. The Tri-Cities Regional Economic Outlook is one of the most prestigious and anticipated annual community forum events in eastern Washington. Providing valuable research and statistical data related to industry trends for the coming year, the 12th Annual Economic Outlook will provide economic forecasts for: real estate, healthcare, agribusiness, retail, hospitality, PNNL, and the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Site. Join more than 300 of the region's top business leaders and local and state government officials. Register online or contact Kayla Pratt at 509-735-1000.

Seed and Venture Capital 5-session Program

Feb 1, 8, 15, 22, and 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. You'll learn from NASVF members how angels and VCs identify investable startups, what needs to be in the business plan, how to build effective leadership teams, how to do a deal and what terms to avoid, and what to do after you get funded. Courses are focused on understanding investors, business plans, executing the strategy, negotiating the deal, and what to do after funding. If you are interested in one or all of the courses, 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

Six PNNL scientists elected 2010 AAAS fellows

Six scientists from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for their exceptional efforts to advance science and apply it to real-world problems. The PNNL honorees and the AAAS sections that elected them are: Leonard Bond, engineering; Liem Dang, chemistry; César Izaurralde, atmospheric and hydrospheric sciences; Allan Konopka, biological sciences; Bill Morgan, biological sciences; and Greg Schenter, chemistry. This year's elections bring the total number of PNNL researchers who have been named AAAS fellows to 46. Read more.

PNNL recognized for technology transfer

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has been recognized for its work in bringing lab-developed technologies to the marketplace. The Federal Laboratory Consortium has announced that PNNL won three awards in 2011 for Excellence in Technology Transfer, including: "Propylene glycol from renewable sources," "IncubATR^TM-the live-cell monitor," and "Trace gas analysis without the noise." 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