Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

July 2013 Issue

Tech News and Notes

Vista Engineering Completes Two Strategic Initiatives

Vista Engineering Technologies of Richland announced two strategic initiatives that will significantly enhance the company's capabilities and diversify its client base. The first was acquisition of the former S.A. Technology, Inc. of Loveland, CO; the second was the signing of a worldwide agreement with Kurion Inc. These strategic moves signifcantly enhance the company's capabiities and diversify its client base.  Read more...

Washington Ranked #5 State for New Patents Awarded in 2012; #3 per Capita

Between 2007 and 2012, the U.S. recovered from a temporary patenting lull in the wake of the economic crisis, jumping more than 43 percent. Most states shared in this patent resurgence, though activity continues to be concentrated in a few states. Washington ranked fifth for new patents awarded in 2012, just behind California, Texas, New York, and Massachusetts. Washington also led in patents per 100,000 residents with 87 per 100,000 in 2012, following close behind the top states with 92 and 91 per 100,000 residents. Read more...

Innovate Washington Adds Marketing and Development Officer

Innovate Washington, the state's primary organization focused on growing its innovation and tech-based sectors, has hired Tim Priest as its Chief Marketing and Development Officer. Priest formerly led Greater Portland, Inc., a regional economic development marketing and branding partnership created to attract and retain sustainable energy companies in the Portland area. He previously managed a similar organization in Washington, D.C. Read more...

Development in the Tri-Cities Research District

Scores of workers are completing the buildout of the $9.5 million first phase of an 80-unit apartment complex located on Innovation Blvd. in the Research District. Tentatively known as the Lofts at Innovation Center, the units are only blocks away from WSU Tri-Cities, the PNNL campus, and the offices of major Hanford contractors. 

Credit Union Open in the Research District

Gesa Credit Union is open in the Tri-Cities Research District at the corner of Stevens Drive and University Drive. The new high-tech branch is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., providing convenient access to PNNL staff, Hanford-area employees and WSU Tri-Cities students, faculty, and staff. The branch features the first Personal Teller Machines in the Tri-Cities and a drive-up ATM. Read more...

Tech Opportunities and Resources

Startup Weekend Coming to Tri-Cities, Seeking Sponsors

For entrepreneurs, a little help can go a long way to jump-starting innovation. Startup Weekend, an event that gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to take their ideas and turn them into action, is coming to the Tri-Cities September 20 -22, 2013. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the weekend-long, hands-on event where aspiring entrepreneurs can find out if their startup ideas are viable. Tier 1 Sponsorships are available for as little as $100, which will go a long way in supporting local entrepreneurs motivated to launch the next great idea. Read more...

Free Space at Smartmap Expo; Registration Open

At this year's Smartmap Expo, inventors exhibit for free! "Inventors Pavilion" is a free-of-charge opportunity for inventors to display their inventions, meet manufacturers that can build their products, and investors that can fund their start-ups. Only inventors that have a manufactured product or a product concept that will require manufacturing that has not been commercialized will qualify. PNNL is the Strategic Partner for the Inventors Pavilion and will have a booth of technologies available for licensing. Registration is now open for Smartmap Expo, which is being held September 25 & 26 at the TRAC Center in Pasco. Read more...

Grow50 Launches in Washington State to Support Startups

Grow50 launched its consortium of 16 premier professional service firms with extensive entrepreneurial experience to better help early stage companies in the Pacific Northwest. Grow50's mission is to help 50 select companies grow significantly over the next 10 years by enabling high potential businesses to get the expertise and funding they need. Grow50 expects that the services and funding they provide to up-and-coming companies will unleash even more of this entrepreneurial talent and growth. Read more...

NREL Industry Growth Forum

The Industry Growth Forum is the premier event for clean energy startups to maximize their exposure to receptive venture capital, corporate investors, and strategic partners. It will feature presentations from 30 emerging clean energy companies, panels led by thought leaders, one-on-one meetings, and organized networking opportunities. Each year, the best presenters are awarded cash prizes and commercialization services from NREL. This focus on clean energy innovation is having an impact on the industry-since 2003, the presenting prototype, pre-commercial, and expanding cleantech companies who have presented have collectively raised more than $4 billion in growth financing. Applications to present are due August 16. Read more...

First Look Forum

Applications are now open for NWEN's Fall 2013 First Look Forum. NWEN is the region's home for innovative businesses in every growth sector in the economy. Applicants to NWEN's First Look Forum will have the chance to access the breadth and depth of coaches, advisors, investors and more - all dedicating their time and talents to help your business reach the next level of success. Make the commitment to growing your business, and take advantage of the wealth of resources through First Look Forum. Read more...

Tech Dates and Deadlines

Start Smart Workshop

July 8. Get solid advice on how to launch a small business at the Smart Start workshop. The easy-to-understand session will cover the basics of starting a business, from initial financing to getting the right licenses. Presented by the WSU Tri-Cities Business LINKS program, the session will be at the Tri-Cities Business & Visitor Center, starting at 6:00 p.m. The cost is $25 for up to two people. Class sizes are limited and pre-registration is required. Read more...

Made in Washington Meet Up

July 9. Impact Washington is proud to announce its first Made in Washington Meet Up at J. Bookwalter Winery from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs representing a dynamic range of products made in the Tri-Cities region. The evening's program will feature success stories from fellow Made in Washington members and is free to member companies. For this first meet up, we are inviting non-member companies to come by and learn what the Made in Washington directory is all about and meet some of the member companies in your area. Read more...

Life Science Innovation Northwest Meeting

July 10 - 11. The Pacific Northwest is home to an expanding and collaborative consortium of biotechnology and biomedical firms, healthcare services, world-class research, innovative startups and established industry leaders. Life Science Innovation Northwest (LSINW) brings together nearly 1,000 attendees from public and private companies, research institutions and the global health community. Public and private investors, investment bankers and business development executives find LSINW one of the most productive conferences they attend. Read more...

Developing Your Capability Statement

July 16: A capability statement is like a resume, only you use it for government contracting. It provides potential clients with a concise overview of your company's qualifications and experience. After attending this session, hosted by PTAC, you will be invited to return at a later date with your rough draft capability statement to receive valuable feedback from experts in the federal government marketplace. Cost is free; RSVP required. Read more...

Startup Weekend Tri-Cities Registration Open

September 20 - 22: Startup Weekend is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas; it's a 54-hour event where developers, designers, marketers, investors, product managers, and startup enthusiasts come together to share ideas, form teams, build products and launch startups. Startup Weekend will be coming to the Tri-Cities September 20 - 22, giving entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to find out if their startup ideas are viable. Registration cost is $75, includes seven meals, and is now open. Read more...

PNNL This Month

PNNL Farmers Market

Asparagus. Cherries. Garlic shoots. Fresh bread. And so much more! Swing by the PNNL Farmers Market every Monday from 4-6 p.m. at the Battelle Picnic Grounds on Einstein St. for a variety of locally grown produce and specialty foods. The PNNL Farmers Market will be every Monday through September. 

Grid Brainiacs Hope to Get Even 'Smarter' About Transactive Energy

PNNL's Carl Imhoff, who manages electricity infrastructure research at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, provided details about the latest developments on the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project at the First International Conference and Workshop on Transactive Energy held this past May in Portland. PNNL crafted some of the first smart grid projects in the late 1990s. Read more...

$18M to Study Deadly Secrets of Flu, Ebola, West Nile Viruses

Viruses such as Ebola, West Nile and Influenza all have the potential to kill people they infect, but antiviral drugs either don't exist or are losing effectiveness. A new $18 million study led by pathobiologist Yoshihiro Kawaoka at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with support from the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory seeks to provide a detailed molecular understanding of how humans respond to these viral pathogens. The study's goal is to design and develop new drugs to thwart infection. 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 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