Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

December 2012 Issue

Tech News and Notes

Innovate Washington Launches SBIR/STTR Funding Programs

Innovate Washington has launched its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase 0 grant programs. The program provides grant-writing support for qualified Washington-based small technology businesses interested in pursuing the federal research and development funding programs' Phase I application. One of the primary goals is to enlist first-time SBIR/STTR participants, those in rural and socially/economically disadvantaged areas, and minority and women-owned businesses, and to increase their chances of submitting a successful proposal. Read more...

Tri-Cities Ranked 6th in Nation for Fastest Growing Communities

The new "Metro Magnets Index" listed the Tri-Cities metro area as the sixth fastest growing in the nation, but also projects growth in the Tri-Cities to slow in coming years. Data collected for the index forecasts the Tri-Cities population will grow by 7.4 percent from 2012 to 2017 and add nearly 6,800 new households. Read more...

Developers Start on $9.5M Apartment Complex within the TCRD

Developers are launching construction of a $9.5M apartment complex in north Richland. Crews are clearing ground for the apartments, which will be part of the Innovation Center development in the Tri-Cities Research District. The apartments will be designed as "urban chic' to attract WSU Tri-Cities students and professionals working in the Research District. Read more...

Tech Opportunities and Resources

Innovation Showcase Accepting Applications

The Innovation Showcase helps bridge the gap between research and commercialization by highlighting the most promising discoveries and new technologies ready for commercialization in Washington State. This quarterly event, attended by the state's startup leaders, investors, service providers, and serial entrepreneurs, promotes the idea sharing and networking that helps turn research into results. Now through December 21, applications are being accepted for participation in the Winter 2013 Innovation Showcase. Read more...

Small Business Development Center

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers free and confidential services to business owners and managers in the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas. It offers many resources to help small businesses including developing a business plan and marketing strategy, gathering market research, and projecting cash-flow needs. An experienced Certified Business Advisor at the SBDC is available to assist small businesses owners with the issues they may face. The SBDC is collaboratively funded by the Washington Small Business Development Center Network and Columbia Basin College with support by TRIDEC.  Read more...

The WBBA Announces a New SBIR and STTR Match Program for Members

The Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association's (WBBA) SBIR/STTR Match Program will match each selected company with an intern paid by the WBBA--a current graduate student or postdoctoral fellow--who will assist the company with the preparation and writing of an SBIR or STTR grant to be submitted in 2013. Additionally, the WBBA will support the preparation and writing process with workshops and mentorship support via a committee of experienced industry professionals with a history of SBIR, STTR, and commercialization success. Read more...

New Mobile Inventory Control Tool Ready for Beta Testing

Current inventory tools address businesses as a whole, or individuals; they don't address small R&D teams. Most small teams within a company can't use a simple application with information stored on the phone because they need to collaborate. They also can't wield the bulky corporate tools (like Microsoft Dynamics), so they end up abusing Excel spreadsheets. A new inventory control tool from Lrip, a small startup with ties to the Tri-Cities, addresses these issues for small teams with cloud and mobile access and changes reflected in real-time, and the company is seeking beta users. The inventory control tool is completely functional, yet before release the company wants to acquire a lot of user feedback. Therefore, the product is being offered for free for a short time to those wishing to serve as beta testers. Once the product is released, the beta users will enjoy the service completely free for a full year. For more information, contact Dal Adamson at dal.adamson@gmail.com. Read more...

Tech Dates and Deadlines

Lean Startup Conference Livestream

December 3. The biggest names in the Lean Startup world and a slew of entrepreneurs will gather at The Lean Startup Conference in San Francisco. Room to Think was named the official simulcast partner for Richland and will stream the entire day-long event at 710 George Washington Way, Suite A. You can watch, learn and discuss how to be more innovative, use people's time better, and be more successful. Connect with other local entrepreneurs interested in the Lean Startup method. Read more...

How to Start a Business Workshop

December 10. The "How to Start a Business" workshop (known as Start Smart) continues to be a big success. It has outgrown the space generously provided by the City of Richland and has moved to the Bechtel Room at TRIDEC. The 2-hour practical and interactive workshop explores how to save time and money by planning now for your business success. Participants develop an action plan and also receive a step-by-step workbook. The workshop begins at 6:30 p.m. Read more...

Introduction to Government Contracting 101

December 11. What does it take to become a successful government contractor? Learn about the services and continuous support that the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) has available to help your company with the contracting process. Topics to be discussed include: Classifying your Product or Service (NAICS Codes), Getting Registered: CCR, Dynamic Small Business Search and ORCA, and Small Business Programs and Certifications. This is a great opportunity to learn how to get ready for the growing government procurement market. Read more...

Subcontracts: What the Government, Primes, and Subcontractors Need to Know

December 13. This day-long seminar is presented by the National Contract Management Association, Columbia Basin Chapter, and will be held at the Shilo Inn from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Topics will include an introduction, the formation of the prime and subcontract awards, and administration. Read more...

Holiday Hackathon

December 14-15. Given 24 hours and a blank screen, what can you code? Join local web development professionals in an informal challenge to build something new. The event will kick off at 6 p.m. at Room to Think in Richland, with teaming up and laying out the challenge, then Saturday at 6 p.m. the results will be showcased. Use whatever time you can in between-- Room to Think will be open all night--to make something that works. Collaboration on GitHub and ability to publicly host the prototype is encouraged, but not required. It's a great opportunity to meet fellow programmers, build skills, and have fun! Read more...

Women in Business Conference

January 23. The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce will host the second annual Tri-Cities Women in Business Conference, presented by Washington River Protection Solutions, at the TRAC Center in Pasco. The Conference is a one-day event that brings corporate executives, leading business women, and business owners together with women of varied business experience and career levels. The purpose of the conference is to enhance communications and networking skills in order to maximize relationships. Attendees will engage with local experts presenting on various personal and professional topics, panel discussions, and interactive exercises. Read more...

PNNL This Month

PNNL Senior Engineer Named to Hall of Fame

Graham Parker, a senior staff engineer at PNNL, has been inducted into the Association of Energy Engineers Energy Managers Hall of Fame. Parker has worked at PNNL since 1973, recently conducting research with two nearly identical homes on the PNNL campus that are used to demonstrate and quantify the energy saving potential of building efficiency technologies. Parker was one of two people inducted into the hall of fame. Read more...

Smart Grid Demonstration Project Goes Live

Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell were on hand at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle for the official go-live phase of the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project. Senator Cantwell applauded the collaboration required by the project. The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Deputy Administrator Bill Drummond thanked the people who are implementing these technologies and programs, saying, "I also want to thank our utilities, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and our end-use partners--the consumers of electricity--for making this a collaborative effort. The Pacific Northwest is providing national leadership in sustainability and we couldn't do it without all of these dedicated partners." Read more...

Structure Enables Corporations with a Conscience

On March 31, Governor Gregoire made history when she signed HB2239 and created Washington's first alternative for-profit corporate structure, the social purpose corporation, or SPC. The new structure allows for-profit entities to formally strive toward creation of social and environmental good as their top corporate priority. This significantly contrasts with the expectation that traditional companies must put creation of shareholder value first. It signals that Washington State believes corporate leadership should have the flexibility and legal backing to make decisions based on the company's impact on all of its stakeholders rather than on maximizing profits. 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