Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

June 2012 Issue

Tech News and Notes

Bruker introduces new handheld XRF analyzer

Bruker Corporation recently announced the introduction of the new S1 TITAN handheld XRF analyzer. The S1 TITAN is among the lightest (1.44 kg including battery) tube-based, handheld XRF analyzers on the market today. The innovative S1 TITAN features an integrated touch-screen color display; an up to 50 kV X-ray tube; Bruker's proprietary, high-speed XFlash® SDD detector with high energy resolution and light-element capabilities; and an ergonomic, yet tough housing that is sealed against humid and dusty environments. Read more...

InnovaTek selected by DOE for Clean Energy Grant

Richland-based InnovaTek received word from the Department of Energy that it was one of 67 small businesses nationwide selected to receive an energy innovation grant. The technology to be developed using this funding will help make it economically feasible to replace fossil fuels with renewable fuels for transportation by reducing capital and operating costs of the production facility. Read more...

Tri-Cities Research District seeing growth

Many people see new land development and construction as indicative of economic growth. So those who have ventured into north Richland probably have begun sensing and anticipating that such growth is afoot. The activity between Stevens Drive and George Washington Way is in the area known as the Innovation Center at Tri-Cities Research District, and is a master-planned business park. The area is home to modern office buildings with newly finished streets and lighting. Read more...

Mentorship yields tangible results for Ag-focused business

UNIBEST Corporation, based in Walla Walla, provides farmers, agribusinesses, and environmental managers with monitoring products to optimize crop management and evaluate environmental contamination. In 2010, a new president took the helm at UNIBEST and contacted the Laboratory for assistance through EDO's Mentor-Protégé Program with two goals in mind: 1) transform the organization and its infrastructure to better meet customer demands and respond to new markets, and 2) find a CPA with direct knowledge of high tech small businesses. Read more...

New federal funding opportunity

A new $26M Accelerator challenge has been announced by the Obama Administration. Applications are due July 9 for the Advanced Manufacturing Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge. The initiative will assist the development and implementation of regionally-driven economic development strategies that support advanced manufacturing and cluster development. Read more...

WSU's SBDC creates online tool to assist agricultural exporters

It just got a lot easier for Washington growers to plan their export strategy, thanks to a new tool developed by the Export Assistance Program at Washington State University, Pullman. The Export Assistance Program focuses on agriculture and food products and is part of the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) export program. Two searchable, online databases have been created with information such as taxes, quotes, pesticide regulations, and import licenses. Read more...

Tech Opportunities and Resources

Energy Innovation Portal

The Energy Innovation Portal now features an innovative new way to access U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory patents. The Portal's new Visual Patent Search allows you to visually dive into the database of more than 16,000 patents and patent applications. The Visual Patent Search tool was created using two powerful technologies developed at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). See DOE's video to learn more about using the tool. Read more...

SBA request for public comment

The SBA is soliciting feedback from small businesses, investors, and other stakeholders on the proposed rulemaking that amends SBA regulations governing size and eligibility of SBIR/STTR programs. Read the notice at www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-05-15/pdf/2012-11586.pdf. Comments should be identified by RIN: 3245-AG46 and can be submitted online through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov/. Comments must be received on or before July 16. Read more...

Three important loan programs for small businesses

Everyone in the market today knows small businesses are in dire need of capital and loans to finance their historic activity and their growth. But despite a federal reserve 0% interest policy, equity and debt capital are hard to come by and find for small businesses. Small business owners may have trouble securing conventional (bank) financing. The loan programs listed in a Forbes article can help with developing, expanding, or sustaining small business. Read more...

Impact Washington's Small Business Consulting Program

Impact Washington announces its new Small Business Consulting Program, an initiative aimed at bringing assistance to the state's smallest manufacturers to help them grow their businesses. Manufacturers with under 10 employees comprise over half of the manufacturers statewide. Often, these companies are providing great manufacturing jobs in their local communities but don't have access to the resources to help them improve and grow. This new program is designed to provide that needed assistance with no out-of-pocket cost to the manufacturer. Read more...

The venture capital model is broken, and this thought-provoking report explains why

Industry watchers have been talking for a long while now about how the venture capital industry is broken, highlighted by poor returns that in many cases don't even exceed that of the major stock indices. Now, thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation - which has invested in nearly 100 venture capital firms across the country over the past 20 years - we're getting an inside look into the problems rattling the industry. Read more...

Tech Dates and Deadlines

UW/Whitworth Partner on Certification Program

Classes start June 5: The University of Washington and Whitworth University have teamed up to bring the UW Foster School of Business Certificate Program to Eastern Washington. The six-week course will be held at Whitworth University in Spokane. It provides small business owners the opportunity to study proven business fundamentals and learn how to best apply them to a growing company. There is a 50% scholarship to those who enroll as PTAC clients. For more information, contact Geri Rodriguez at gerirod@uw.edu.

Meet the Buyer: Doing Business with the Hanford Contractors

June 12. The Hanford prime contractors and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory purchase millions of dollars' worth of products and services from businesses each year. Attendees will learn more about how to sell to the primes and PNNL, and be better prepared to take part in this marketplace. This session will cover the following key topics: What products/services do the Hanford primes and PNNL purchase? Where and how do you start selling to them? What is the buying process? How do I locate opportunities? The event is from 9-11 a.m. at the Tri-Cities Business & Visitor Center. Cost is free. Read more...

4th Annual State of the Green Economy Event

June 13. The "greening" of different industries will force many companies to adapt and diversify. Get an update on the Green Economy on June 13 at The Spokane Club as it hosts speakers who will discuss some of the opportunities, advancements, and challenges happening locally in the Clean Tech industry. Read more...

WCTA first annual meeting

June 14. Join Washington State's Cleantech leadership for the inaugural Washington Clean Technology Alliance (WCTA) Annual Meeting from 7:30-10:00 a.m. at the Sheraton Seattle Metropolitan Ballroom. The first WCTA annual meeting will feature Washington State University President Elson S. Floyd and University of Washington President Michael K. Young sharing the stage. They will cover topics including the role of their institutions in the economy, the development of biofuels, job creation, the development of promising new clean technologies, and their relationship with the state. Read more...

Washington State Department of Enterprise Services Eastside Vendor Education Seminar

June 20. The Westside & Eastside Vendor Education Seminars help businesses succeed in navigating state rules, regulations, and services. This event is where vendors from the business community come to learn about changes in how the state does business. It also provides vendors the opportunity to talk to government purchasing professionals. The event will be held at the Spokane Convention Center, and is open to all vendors and contractors who want to do business with state government. Read more...

Nova Innovation Competition deadline

June 30. Entrepreneurs are invited to submit proposals for the Nova Innovation Competition for a chance to win $85,000. The competition rewards start-up businesses offering innovations in sustainable products, advanced materials, high-efficiency building solutions, clean technology, and renewable energy sources with cash prizes and access to partnership opportunities with Saint-Gobain. Read more...

DOE EERE funding opportunity deadline

July 3. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is interested in receiving proposals for research and development projects that offer potential for achieving EERE technology cost and performance targets. Those interested in submitting an application must have already submitted a letter of intent. SBIR and STTR grant applications are due July 3, 2012. Read more...

25th Industry Growth Forum application deadline

July 13. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) invites emerging clean energy startups from across the globe to apply to present their business opportunities at the 25th Industry Growth Forum. The NREL Industry Growth Forum provides many opportunities to accelerate company growth. It is the United States' premier event for emerging clean energy and energy efficiency technology startups to gain exposure to and feedback from venture capitalists, corporate investors, government agencies, and strategic partners. Since 2003, presenting startups have cumulatively raised over $4 billion in growth financing. Read more...

PNNL This Month

Student-built robots square off in sumo contest at PNNL

A chief electrical engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has found a creative way to motivate students and teachers into high tech futures. Gordon Anderson challenged seniors from PC Troubleshooting classes at Kamiakin High School and freshmen and sophomores at Delta High School to build mini sumo robots from scratch. Recently, their creations squared off in the sumo ring, and the kids learned a thing or two about gadgets. Read more...

PNNL scientist receives Early Career Research Award

A bioinformaticist from the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will receive an Early Career Research Award from DOE to advance his research identifying proteins that could be used in biofuel production. PNNL's Sam Payne will receive a grant totaling $2.5 million over five years. Read more...

Timely economic updates from EDO on Facebook

The Economic Development Office at PNNL has a Facebook page dedicated to providing entrepreneurs and high-tech firms with information of value for startups and existing businesses. Posts include information on funding opportunities, grant competitions, educational courses, workshops, informational articles, and other resources. Check it out and ‘like' the page so PNNL EDO information posts on your Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/PNNL.EconomicDevelopment

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