Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

August 2012 Issue

Tech News and Notes

Spend a weekend starting your business

For those thinking about starting a business, there's a new game around--the Startup Weekend, a fast-paced, hands-on experience designed to help entrepreneurs quickly determine whether their startup ideas are worth pursuing. The entire whirlwind lasts 54 hours and is proving to be quite popular as these events get you face to face with leaders in the community who serve as coaches and judges. Read more...

The state of Washington's economy - perceptions of today and tomorrow

Recently the results of a May 2011 study on the state of Washington's economy were released and presented to the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau, and Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC). The survey identified opinion trends of the general public and of the business community in a number of areas including Washington's economic environment, the economy of the future, key industries now and in the future, the government's role in stimulating business and job growth, and other trends. Read more...

Venture capital more than doubles in Washington State

The money certainly was flowing in the second quarter with $312 million invested in 32 companies, more than double the $132 million that was invested for the same period last year, according to a report by CB Insights. Read more...

Developer wants new retail hub in Richland

A private developer is moving forward with plans to create a retail hub at University and Stevens Drives in Richland's Tri-Cities Research District (TCRD). Rick Parsons, general manager of Innovation Center at TCRD, told Port of Benton commissioners that the company is getting ready to start two buildings and is working on attracting a gas station and convenience store. Read more...

TRIDEC worried by DOE initiative

The Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC) is concerned that an initiative intended to provide more work to small businesses at Hanford may do more harm than good to the local economy. It could lead to less work at Hanford being awarded to Mid-Columbia businesses and make it more difficult for start-up and niche companies to compete for work, TRIDEC said in a message to its members. Read more...

Tech Opportunities and Resources

Entrepreneurs have a potential new source for funding

Microsoft has created a new angel investment fund and startup incubator--Bing Fund--founded by entrepreneurs, sponsored by Bing, and backed by the experience, expertise, and resources of Microsoft. Bing Fund is looking for startups that are building online or mobile experiences that incorporate fresh insights. Startups are enrolled into the program on an ongoing basis. Read more...

Researcher Guidebook aims to improve institutional-industrial partnerships

A team of contributors from universities, industry, and national laboratories has created a publication aimed at helping industrial and institutional researchers work together more effectively. "The Researcher Guidebook - A Guide for Successful Institutional-Industrial Collaborations" is now available online as a resource for active researchers from academia, government laboratories and industry. Read more...

Small Business Incentive Program

Do you have an employee who needs training? Are you using outdated software? Do you need a new printer? The Chamber wants to help your business! The Small Business Incentive Program was established by the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce (TCRCC) in 2011 through funding from Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS). TCRCC and WRPS have partnered again to support and strengthen local small businesses by awarding free software, training, company websites, and equipment. Applications are due August 31. Read more...

University of Washington to offer free online classes

The University of Washington is joining a massive, free experiment in online education that adherents believe has the potential to revolutionize the way college classes are taught, open up access to some of the university's most sought-after courses, and drive down the cost of a degree. The university has signed a contract to provide an online startup called Coursera with courses in math, computer science, computational finance, and information security. Read more...

How to start conversations that make instant connections

For entrepreneurs, knowing how to communicate clearly and effectively is critical in leading a company--and selling your business ideas. But the words you speak and hear are only a small part of getting your message across to your employees, customers, and investors. It is the way you speak and listen that makes all the difference in the world. Consider these 12 steps for starting conversations that click and, ultimately, lead to more productive relationships. Read more...

Tech Dates and Deadlines

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: Air Force SBIR/STTR webinars

August 7 & 8: Presented by retired Air Force personnel, the August 7 webinar will focus on how the Air Force operates its SBIR and STTR programs and how they generate topics and evaluate proposals. The August 8 webinar will cover the multiple variables of technology readiness for successful introduction of your technology to the marketplace. Read more...

Webinar: Accelerating Innovation - Biomass

August 8. The Accelerating Innovation - Biomass webinar will highlight four biomass-focused National Laboratory technologies, all of which are found on the DOE's 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...

SBIR/STTR letter of intent due

September 4. Topics for the FY13 Department of Energy (DOE) SBIR/STTR Phase I Release 1 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) have been issued and are available on the DOE SBIR/STTR website. The FOA will be issued August 13 with Letters of Intent due September 4. In late August, a webinar will be held to discuss important changes to the DOE SBIR and STTR programs for the coming year. Read more...

Startup Day

September 22. Designed for entrepreneurs in the midst of building their own companies as well as would-be entrepreneurs about to take the plunge, Startup Day will pack a high-energy and inspirational punch no matter where you are in the startup process. Startup Day is a one-day entrepreneurial confab taking place Saturday, Sept. 22 at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. Read more...

PNNL This Month

PNNL to spend $1M grant on nuclear research

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has been awarded almost $1M as part of a Department of Energy initiative to help restart the nation's nuclear industry. The money will be used to develop a new high-temperature structural material for use in advanced reactors as an accident-tolerant replacement for zircaloy cladding. The material could extend the lifetime of fuel, reducing the cost of electricity production, according to DOE. Read more...

5 don't-miss grid innovations from a U.S. national laboratory

PNNL is leveraging rich new data streams and high-computing horsepower to create a suite of analytic tools that will deliver new insights to control room operators--insights that will allow unprecedented grid performance. Although currently oriented to the transmission system, many of these breakthroughs may make their way to distribution networks too. Read more...

New chief scientist joins Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory

Sherry L. Cady, an expert on how microbes living in extreme environments interact with and influence their surroundings, has joined the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. She will serve as the chief science officer for DOE's EMSL, the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory on PNNL's campus. In this role, Cady will guide the science vision for EMSL, a facility used by hundreds of researchers every year. Read more...

Farmers Market - now WEEKLY through September 10

The PNNL Farmers Market will now be open every Monday through September 10 (closed Labor Day). Swing by to pick up some great, fresh, local food! This wonderful weather we've been having should bring some great produce to the market. There will be a variety of specialty food vendors offering meat, eggs, vinegars, oils, and fudge. The Farmers Market is located at the very south end of Q Street, off University Drive in North Richland.

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