Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

July 2012 Issue

Tech News and Notes

City of Richland invests $2.3M in new broadband capacity for TCRD

The City of Richland is investing $2.3 million to upgrade its broadband capabilities to promote growth in the city and at the Tri-Cities Research District (TCRD). It will construct a fiber backbone to replace the current I-Net, and will serve both the City's and Richland School District's needs. The fiber infrastructure will have additional capacity that can be used by third-party vendors to provide broadband services. Read more...

HPM Corporation awarded DOE contract

Kennewick-based HPM Corp has been awarded a DOE contract of about $99M to provide occupational medical services at the DOE Hanford site. The six-year contract has HPM operating two clinics and providing occupational medical services to about 8,000 people. Read more...

And the winning app is...

If you could see how your electricity consumption contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, would you use less energy to reduce that impact? That's the hope of Seattle-based software developers Timothy Edgar and Nathan Jhaveri, who won first prize and $30,000 for their Web application, Leafully, in the Department of Energy's Apps for Energy contest. Read more...

Washington number 6 of top 10 states that will boom

Seattle P.I. - Washington is ranked No. 6 among a list of "The 10 states that will boom over the next 5 years" in the latest issue of Forbes, a ranking based on a study of enterprising states by the National Chamber Foundation. Its bullish evaluation of The Evergreen State is based on "strong aerospace and technology sectors, and a vibrant export economy." The magazine has previously ranked Washington as one of the five best states in America to do business. Read more...  

Seattle area economy rated third in U.S; Tri-Cities comes in thirteen

Seattle P.I. - The Seattle area ranks #3 and the Tri-Cities #13 when it comes to the nation's strongest economy, according to a new report looking at performance over an extended period. Policom Corp. ranked 366 metropolitan areas, measuring 23 different economic factors over 20 years (1991 to 2010, in this case). Read more...

Crowds bring power, payoff to entrepreneurs

In the past few years, crowdfunding has become a disruptive element in the startup process, enabling inventors and promoters of numerous causes to generate capital through a consensus of virtual supporters, a money-giving tree of sorts, without sacrificing equity in their projects or circling the glove chasing venture capital and angel money. The crowdfunding concept is fast becoming a fundraising force to be reckoned with. Read more...

U.S. students flock to graduate science programs

The data are largely absent from most discussions about the inadequacies of science education in the United States. But a new report from the National Science Foundation finds that the number of Americans pursuing advanced degrees in science and engineering has risen sharply over the past decade and stands at an all-time high. Read more...

Tech Opportunities and Resources

Awards competition for patent owners

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced Patents for Humanity, an awards competition for patent owners and licensees. It is designed to reward companies that bring life-saving and clean technologies to underserved people of the world, while showing how patents are an integral part of tackling the world's challenges. Fifty winners will receive a certificate to accelerate a select matter before the USPTO, and public recognition at an awards ceremony. Read more...

UW launches venture fund to spur startups

Seattle Times - The Seattle area's newest venture capital fund has a distinct purple-and-gold tinge. The W Fund, which aims to channel seed money to startups founded on research from the University of Washington and other state universities and institutions, officially launches after months of behind-the-scenes fundraising. Backers see it as a way to help create new businesses and new jobs. The fund has raised an initial $10.6 million from 44 investors, according to regulatory filings. Read more...

SBIR proposal writing tip: resubmitting a proposal to NIH

Unlike some other agencies, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) allow SBIR and STTR applicants to resubmit unsuccessful grant proposals. An unfunded proposal can now be resubmitted once, a change from the past practice in which NIH would allow two resubmittals. Those who submitted an SBIR or STTR proposal to NIH that was not funded may want to take advantage of this resubmission opportunity. Greenwood Consulting Group offers tips for resubmitting NIH proposals. Read more...

Introducing GeekWire's new resource center for startups

Startups are a critical component of the tech industry. In the spirit of empowering entrepreneurs and connecting them to information, partners, and other key resources, GeekWire has launched the web-based Startup Resource Center. The website provides one-stop shopping for technology entrepreneurs launching and building their businesses. Read more...

Nine things startups must know before approaching lenders

Entrepreneur - If it seems like you're still swimming against the tide to find money for your small business, you're not alone. But there are preparations you can make as a business owner that will increase your chances of getting a loan. This article offers quick tips to position you smartly. Read more...

Tech Dates and Deadlines

Developing your capabilities statement workshop

July 10. Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center hosts this workshop to assist small businesses with the development of an effective capabilities statement. The free session will cover effective use of capability statements, types of capability statements, and essential elements and examples. It will be held at the Tri-Cities Business & Visitor Center from 9 - 10 a.m. 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...

Webinar: Building Sustainable Energy Programs with Biogas

July 18. This live and interactive webcast - hosted by Caterpillar ­- is designed to provide an overview of how to identify and overcome commercial and technical challenges encountered while identifying and executing a biogas power generation project. Attendees will have the opportunity to post questions live and have them answered by a panel of Caterpillar experts. Read more...

Lab2Market application deadline

July 20. Do you have a product, technology, or other business idea that you're exploring? Lab2Market 2012 helps aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators develop their value propositions and create their investor pitches. Lab2Market is open to PSU faculty, students, staff and alumni along with those interested from OHSU, OSU, U of O, UP, OregonBEST, OTRADI and ONAMI, and other innovation-focused organizations. Space is limited for this FREE program, which runs all day Tuesday, August 7th and until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8th. For more information or an application, contact Shelley Gunton, Executive Director, Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Portland State University at sgunton@pdx.edu or 503-789-5984.

How to Start a Business - Smart Start workshop

August 3. Washington State University Tri-Cities is hosting Smart Start: Steps to Starting a Business Workshop. The same class will be held a number of times from August through December. The practical and interactive workshop will cover ways to save time and money by planning now for your business success. Participants will develop an action plan and also receive a step-by-step workbook. Read more...

Webinar: Accelerating Innovation - Biomass

August 8. The webinar will highlight four biomass-focused National Laboratory technologies, all of which are found on the Energy Innovation Portal. A representative for each technology will give a 10 - 15 minute presentation on the technology, leaving a few minutes for Q&A for each technology. Read more...

PNNL This Month

Country's largest smart grid demo project kicks off this fall

After more than two years of planning, the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project, the country's largest smart grid initiative, will officially get rolling this fall. PNNL, one of the technology partners, is conducting the data analysis for the project. Read more...

PNNL receives awards for new technologies

Two innovations developed by researchers at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory were recognized by R&D Magazine as among the past year's 100 most significant scientific and technological products or advances. The innovations were cited for their potential to lead to greater use of electric vehicles and reduce the time needed to recharge consumer electronic products, as well as create cleaner air in confined spaces such as submarines. Read more...

Seminars, opportunities, and announcements on EDO's Facebook page

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

Virden tapped to lead PNNL's energy, environment research efforts

Jud Virden, a 20-year laboratory veteran with experience creating energy research partnerships with U.S. industry, has been named associate laboratory director for the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Energy and Environment Directorate. Read more...

Battelle among top philanthropists in the state

Battelle, which manages PNNL, was honored as one of the state's top 75 corporate philanthropists in May by the Puget Sound Business Journal and the Seattle Foundation. Microsoft and Boeing topped the large-company list, while Battelle came in at No. 23, giving $677,000 (mostly in the Mid-Columbia) to support educational programs, arts, and health and human service organizations. 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