Innovation Park Newsletter May 2018

On May 16th, Innovation Park hosted its annual TechGrant competition, where five local early stage companies presented their technology in hopes of winning a commercialization grant worth up to $15,000.

At the event, DiaTech Diabetics Technologies took home the first-place prize $15,000 grant for its sensor technology that actively monitors the viability of an insulin injection site to detect changing conditions that indicate insulin delivery failure and alerts the user.

NeuroJungle took home the second-place prize $10,000 for its anatomical interactivity technology for stroke survivors that uses a wearable limb manipulation device that is connected to Virtual Reality.

The event was presented by Danfoss Turbocor and Hancock Whitney this year.  Since 2005 when the TechGrant program was initiated, the Park has given away $437,000 to 26 different companies, several of which are still flourishing in Tallahassee today.

Innovation Park is bringing the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps) regional training course to Tallahassee in June. This course is designed to introduce participants to the processes and approaches for technology commercialization.

There will be two in-person training sessions and two webinar sessions.   The program provides a good entry point for learning about the “evidence-based entrepreneurship” approach to technology commercialization. It also explains how to develop commercialization plans for grant submissions and how to begin evaluating market potential of your discoveries.

Additionally, completion of the program qualifies as an NSF award which enables you to apply for an I-Corps Team award, that provides $50,000 in funding and an in depth commercialization program supported by a national network of mentors and experts.  You do not need NSF funding lineage to participate in the program, and completion will enable researchers that have not previously received NSF funding to apply for an I-Corps Team grant.

This is open to the public, and there is no charge for the program. You must register by May 31 to reserve your spot. Contact Michael Tentnowski (mtentnowski@inn-park.com or 850.575.0343 x-103).

Kim Williams, Vice-Chair of the Leon County Research and Development Authority, wrote a “Your Turn” opinion piece that was published in the Tallahassee Democrat regarding the Entrepreneurial Excellence Program.

Since 2011, the EEP Program has been a staple in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, and has helped more than 150 startups grow. Innovation Park’s own Larry Lynch started the program and has recently decided to retire. Michael Tentnowski, Innovation Park’s new Director of Entrepreneurship will take over the program this Fall.

General Capacitor, a 2014 TechGrant Winner that produces lithium ion capacitors, recently announced it has expanded its operations in Tallahassee by opening a new industrial-sized dry room facility.  This dry room is believed to be the only one in the north Florida panhandle, and will allow the company to produce between 100-300 lithium capacitors a day.

We have a new lunchtime food truck at Innovation Park on Wednesdays! The Kitchen Witch will be here cooking up delicious homestyle foods like meatloaf, pesto chicken sandwiches, and more. Her menu changes on a weekly basis, so be sure to check out here menu before you go, or be surprised!

Gang Chen, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor, received a $1.18M grant from the US Dept. of Agriculture to study the impact of land interruption,  farming and development, on our climate, and what can be done to promote sustainability.

Top TechGrant Pitch Night prize goes to diabetic tech startup 

BioFront Technologies Achieves Quality Management ISO 9001:2015 Certification

FSU researchers hope to make breakthrough in stroke treatment through cell therapy

Scientists discover cheap fluid that could lead to cheap MRIs 

Celebrate Earth Day with BEYA Student Leaders 

Two engineering students honored