Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

March 2011 Issue

Tech News and Notes

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. If so, the Economic Development Office's Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) may be the answer. The MPP is designed to assist in the creation, stabilization, and growth of regional technology-based businesses by providing a network of individuals experienced in business (mentors) able and willing to provide guidance to regional companies (protégés). Read more or contact Gary Spanner at 509-372-4296.

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. Contact KC Kuykendall at 509-737-1377.

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. The Perspective is a report to their stakeholders on the company's recent progress. Despite the prolonged recession, Sirti clients continued to innovate, receive investment capital, launch products, and create and preserve high quality technology jobs. Sirti reports another year of strong results accelerating and incubating innovative companies. Read more or call 509-358-2000.

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. Both work at the company's headquarters in Richland. Dade Moeller is a nationally recognized firm that provides a full range of professional and technical services to federal, state, and commercial clients in support of nuclear, radiological and environmental operations. Contact Paula Tumlinson at 509-946-0410.

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. Its intent is to bring together top entrepreneurs, start-up firm funders, CEOs, university presidents, foundations, and more to help entrepreneurial companies start or grow. To date, more than a dozen firms and organizations have joined the StartUp America Partnership, including: IBM, Facebook, Intel, IBM, and Hewlett Packard. Read more or contact Ben Branham at 646-246-6147.

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. FPS continues to incorporate valuable user feedback and has made a number of key developments to its software platform in version 4.1.4.  The company's focus on the user experience is at the heart of Future Point Systems' corporate values of responsiveness, top-notch technical support, ease of adoption, technical innovation, and rapid, client-driven product development. Download here or contact Ben Sommers.

Tech Opportunities and Resources

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. This quarterly event promotes the idea sharing and networking that helps turn research into results. Showcase attendees include investors, service providers, serial entrepreneurs, and others in the commercialization field. The Showcase is currently recruiting for companies that would benefit from the opportunity to expand their network, and work with expert coaches-at no cost-to hone sales pitches before meeting with investors. Apply online.

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. Funded grants will describe clearly how the scientific and technical work will be coordinated with development of the commercial opportunity. Applicants must be Washington state governmental or non-profit entities. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply directly for funding but are encouraged to collaborate with eligible organizations. LSDF has allocated $750,000 for commercialization grants in each of two competitions in 2011. Individual requests are not to exceed $150,000, with work expected to be completed within one year. Apply online.

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. Hear from CTO leadership about global expansion plans and the continuous improvement of the venture accelerator competition. Register online for Portland (3/22) and for Seattle (3/23).

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. The article discusses how workshops and forums help business people expand their knowledge in certain areas, but also offers the opportunity to hear a variety of perspectives from experts in a number of fields all in one place. Read the article.

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. You'll learn from NASVF members how angels and VC's 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, writing 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.

Tech Dates and Deadlines

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 meeting for CEOs, scientists, business development executives, financiers, and anyone with an interest in biotechnology. Register online.

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. This conference is designed for businesses to network and learn about procurement opportunities through agencies and prime contractors. The keynote speaker for the event will be Seán F. Crean, Director for the Office of Small Business Programs for the Department of the Navy. Kicking off the event will be Ronald Fredrick, President and CEO of Nova Group, Inc. Fredrick founded Nova Group in 1976 working from two employees and a single project to increasing revenues to over $100 million. Robin Conger of PNNL's Economic Dev elopement Office is also speaking at the conference. Register online.

Washington Innovation Summit

March 18. The Washington Innovation Summit will focus on what really makes innovation economies grow. This day-long conference will identify new, effective strategies that will promote high-impact job growth and provide a framework for Washington's work in technology-based economic development. Key topics include: how the state is fusing support for innovation into its overall economic development strategy; how emerging information technologies are dramatically changing the economy, how the very nature of the enterprise is evolving; and how industries can grow exports and strengthen global relationships. Register online.

Harvesting Clean Energy Conference

October 23-25. Harvesting Clean Energy is a program of Climate Solutions, a nonprofit organization based in Olympia, Washington. The program's goal is to help accelerate rural economic development in the Northwest through clean energy development. Register to be part of the 2011 conference that will feature panel discussed designed to answer questions including: how can farmers, ranchers, food processors and rural communities prosper in the new energy economy? Where are your best opportunities in: wind power, solar technologies, geothermal, small hydro, biomass or biofuels, upgrading to energy efficient equipment? What financing, technical expertise, and partners are available to help? Register online.

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. Nominations for local businesses are due Thursday, March 31 by 5:00 p.m. Additionally, the organization is looking for sponsors. Read more or contact May Hays at 509-967-0521.

PNNL This Month

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. But then it trumps the Seattle area for some of the factors that add to quality of life, such as a low cost of living, a low crime rate and sunny skies. That's according to Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's (PNNL) new Tri-Cities Index of Innovation and Technology. The just-released report is the first it has compiled since one was released in 2004. The report is a recruiting tool for PNNL, helping show world-renowned scientists that the Tri-Cities is a viable place to build a career. Read the report.

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 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 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