Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

May 2011 Issue

Tech News and Notes

Seattle Business magazine awards

Seattle Business Magazine has announced finalists for its Washington Manufacturing Awards and three Tri-Cities companies are among the ranks - congratulations to Bruker, SIGN and ESTeem Wireless Modems. The Award recognizes and celebrates companies that are helping to maintain a vibrant manufacturing sector in Washington. For an entire list of finalists, Read more...

WSU-Tri-Cities and University of Oregon entrepreneurship teams shine at business plan competitions

A group of student entrepreneurs from WSU-Tri-Cities entered their business plan into a number of competitions, walking away with a total of $8,500! EyeDot made it into the semifinals at University of Oregon's New Venture Challenge international competition, winning $500 there. At the WSU competition in Pullman, EyeDot won 3rd place overall ($7,000), best investment in the semifinal round ($500), and best presenter for Ryan Rickenbach ($500). Congratulations to EyeDot!

 

And congratulations to two teams from the University of Oregon's Technology Entrepreneurship Program for their wins at national business plan competitions! Sonas, based on PNNL container screening device technology, won 3rd place and $10,000 at the University of Manitoba competition, and "Best Exhibit Award" and $350 at the University of Cincinnati Spirit of Enterprise competition. VisiRay, based on PNNL millimeter wave technology, has won numerous awards including 1st place at the VentureQuest compeition, and 3rd place at the New Venture Championships and University of Louisville compeition for a total of $6000.

Jobs key to residents' satisfaction with their communities

A 2010 Gallup poll shows that those metro areas with the lowest unemployment rate boast the most satisfied residents. Residents' likelihood to be satisfied with their city or area is significantly related to the area's average income level as well. The presence of stable sources of employed is another key factor in satisfaction with one's city. Thriving knowledge-based industries support job growth in several of the metro areas with the highest percentage of residents who say their area is getting better as a place to live. Technology and engineering research largely drive local economies and in the Tri-Cities, 71% of residents are optimistic about the area's future. In 2009, Forbes named Kennewick the country's second-best city for new jobs. Read more...

Tech Opportunities and Resources

R&D Funding Available from Washington Technology Center

May 25 & June 8. Are you working on innovative technology applications with near-term commercial potential? Attend an information webinar to learn about applying for a Washington Technology Center Research & Technology Development (RTD) grant to offset the costs of your R&D. Washington Technology Center is now accepting proposals for the next round of the RTD Grant Program. Grants will be awarded in September 2011 for projects that begin October 1, 2011. If you are a Washington technology business looking to partner with an academic or non-profit researcher on a collaborative research endeavor, you may be eligible for assistance through the RTD Grant Program. Read more...

Participating in the government marketplace

Washington State Procurement Technical Assistance Center offers a number of seminars to maximize the number of capable U.S. companies participating in the government marketplace. There are several centers across Washington State assisting small businesses with marketing to the government, solicitations, drawings, and other areas relating to selling to the government. Events and training opportunities can be found on the Washington State PTAC web site. Read more...

U.S.A.'s Chief Technology Officer to speak at Technology Alliance's State of Technology luncheon

May 10. Join more than 800 business, academic and government leaders at the premier annual event for Washington's innovation community, featuring a keynote conversation with the U.S.A.'s first-ever Chief Technology Officer, Aneesh Chopra. On May 10th in Seattle, Chopra will share his vision for harnessing the power of technology to fuel job creation and clean energy innovation, reshape education and health care, and transform the way we do business. Registration is required. Read more...

TREN meeting

May 17. Two Careers - One Relationship: Recruiting the Family Unit. In today's world, so many families have become a two-income household, and relocating to a new city can often bring the challenge of two people needing to find employment. Wade Bodlovic of GreenFoot Technologies - specialists in green staffing solutions - will explore some of the successes GreenFoot has had, and offer advice surrounding technology-related networking tools, relocation, employee wellness, employee retention, and other items related to successfully recruiting and retaining the family unit. The meeting will be held May 17 at the Richland Public Library from 7:15 - 8:30 AM.

Meet the Buyers - Doing Business with the Cities

May 24. The cities and counties in the Tri-Cities region purchase millions of dollars worth of products and services from area businesses each year. Attendees will learn more about how to sell to the cities and counties and be better prepared to take part in this local government marketplace. This free event is being held at the Tri-Cities Business & Visitor Center, from 8:30-10:00am. View flier for more information. Please register at www.washingtonptac.org/PTACTrainingEvents1.shtml or call 736-0510.

Mentor-Protege Program

The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business published an informative article on PNNL's Mentor-Protégé Program in its April issue. The program pairs experienced, accomplished executives with those who are seeking advice on creating or growing their technology-based business. This covers anything from entering new markets to reducing operating costs. It gives even top professionals a chance to continue learning and growing. The program is touted as the answer for a technology-based businessperson in need of advice, as well as an opportunity for a seasoned professional who wants to help others in his or her field. Read the article...

Tech Dates and Deadlines

Mid-Columbia Small Business Awards Banquet

May 5. The 16th Annual Small Business Awards Banquet celebrates small businesses in Benton and Franklin Counties for their exceptional customer service, outstanding commitment to employees, and superior community relations. RSVP to attend the banquet May 5 starting at 6:00 pm at the Pasco Red Lion to recognize this year's nominees and find out who has been selected Mid-Columbia Small Business of the Year! Finalists include: Columbia Basin Racquet Club, Harvey-Monteith Insurance, Sylvan Learning Center-Kennewick, Total Site Services, LLC, Tri-Cities Digestive Health Center. Read more...

Cleantech Open Business Competition

May 24 entry deadline. The mission of the Cleantech Open is to find, fund, and foster the big ideas that address today's most urgent energy, environmental, and economic challenges. The Cleantech Open Business Competition can accelerate your business launch and growth. Just by entering you'll quickly have access to the Cleantech Open network, and the resources and support to help grow your company into a successful, sustainable business. The competition is now open for applications with the deadline for final entries May 24. Read more...

Summer Science and Engineering Camps

The WSU Tri-Cities Summer Science Camps are seeking support for budding scientists and engineers.

• If you know of a club, organization, individual, or employee who might have a hands-on demonstration that appears to fit one or more of the camp themes, please let the organizers know so camp staff can make contact to see if a fit is possible. The goal is to enrich the curriculum by exposing kids to role models/professionals with "cool stuff" during each camp. Send references to: ayers@tricity.wsu.edu
• If you know of anyone interested in volunteering to assist in the camps (a young person, at least aged 15 who'd like to gain valuable experience, or an adult), please refer them to: mailto:summercamp@tricity.wsu.edu

Read more...

Beyond Li Ion forum

June 7-9. Fourth Symposium on Energy Storage: Beyond Lithium Ion  Motivated by societal energy needs and by the tremendous potential for materials science and engineering to provide needed advances, a consortium comprising Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, IBM Research, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory will host a symposium at the Battelle Auditorium on PNNL's Richland campus. This forum is focused on the future of energy storage technologies for transportation applications. Leading researchers and manufacturers will discuss critically necessary materials, diagnostics, scaling, and manufacturing issues associated with better performing energy storage devices in an open-format dialogue.

Read more...

PNNL This Month

Kudos: Bernie Hansen wins Volpentest Entrepreneurial Award

Congratulations to Bernie Hansen, PNNL's Economic Development Office (EDO), winner of this year's Sam Volpentest Entrepreneurial Leadership Award. Bernie has worked to boost entrepreneurial growth in the Tri-Cities since 1995-first as a consultant, then as a subcontractor and finally as a part-time employee of PNNL, working as Entrepreneurial Programs Manager for the EDO. Bernie specializes in strategic planning, financial analysis, and business turnarounds. He has taught "Business Plan Boot Camp" at WSU Tri-Cities and leads the Three Rivers Entrepreneur Network (TREN) and PNNL's Mentor-Protégé Program. Bernie has helped over 70 Tri-City companies succeed in business during his tenure here at the Laboratory.The entrepreneurial awards are sponsored by the Richland Rotary Club, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, TRIDEC, PNNL, and the Port of Benton.

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