Mtech News, Opportunities and Events

View this newsletter online at: http://www.mtech.umd.edu/news/enewsletters/20090529.html

Mtech News, Opportunities and Events
May 29, 2009

News

  • Three Companies Join New Mtech TERP Startup Lab
  • TAP Company Pixelligent Technologies Closes $2 Million in Equity Financing
  • Hillman Entrepreneur Program Annual Report to the Community Released

Opportunities

  • Mtech Summer Online Course in Entrepreneurship
  • Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund Accepting Rolling Applications
  • Mtech Summer Entrepreneurship Courses for High School Students
  • Follow Mtech and Network on Facebook, Twitter for the Latest Updates

Upcoming Mtech Events

  • June 8-12: Fermentation Microbiology and Downstream Processing Workshops
  • June 9: Free, Open Entrepreneur Office Hours for University of Maryland Students, Faculty and Staff, and Regional Entrepreneurs with Tech-Based Startups or Ideas

Partner Events

  • May 31-June 1: Maryland Economic Development Association Annual Conference
  • June 3: Secrets of NIH Small Business Grant
 Applications (SBIR and STR)
  • June 4: Leaders + Legends: Sir Nigel Sheinwald, British Ambassador to the United States--Keeping Markets Open: What's Next After the London G20 Summit?
  • June 11: Mid-Atlantic Women & Technology Conference
  • June 12: Financial Executives Forum Breakfast - Market Psychology
  • June 16: Northern Virginia Tech Council Green Technology Event, Reducing and Reporting Your Carbon Footprint
  • June 16: Capital Formation Forum Breakfast - What You Need to Know to Complete Your Early Stage Financing
  • June 16-17: Maryland Biz Expo
  • June 17-18: Aberdeen Proving Ground Technology Showcase
  • June 18: Integrating Regulatory Affairs and Business Development: Its Impact on Company Valuation
  • June 18: BRAC Forum
  • June 23: Voices of Bio: Strategic Partnerships
  • June 24: Face2Face: Scott Ferber, Founder, Advertising.com
  • June 25: Indian Head Division/Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Technology Transfer Showcase
  • June 25, July 30, and September 10: ExporTech
  • June 29-30: Tech Council of Maryland 2009 Government Contracting Academy
  • July 9: Chesapeake Bay Regional Tech Council BBQ on the Bay Tech Expo

News

Three Companies Join New Mtech TERP Startup Lab
Three companies have agreed to enter Mtech's new Tech Entrepreneur Research and Prototyping (TERP) Startup Laboratory, a program designed for entrepreneurs who need a place to quickly develop technology prototypes and get some help in starting their companies. The new TERP Startup Lab companies include Coil Guitars, SD Nanosciences, and Tseai Energy Unlimited. More»

TAP Company Pixelligent Technologies Closes $2 Million in Equity Financing
Mtech Technology Advancement Program incubator company Pixelligent Technologies, an emerging leader in developing nanotechnology applications, announced it has closed on $2 million in new equity financing. Pixelligent is developing ground breaking applications in optical lithography and nanocomposites for the semiconductor and microelectronics markets. More»

Hillman Entrepreneurs Program Annual Report to the Community Released
Mtech this week released the Hillman Entrepreneurs Program annual report to the community. Read about program highlights, student successes and statistics. Download the report here. A longer, more detailed evaluation will be available soon.

Opportunities

Mtech Summer Online Course in Entrepreneurship
Mtech is offering its most popular entrepreneurship course online this summer for all students, alumni, and others interested in learning the processes and skills needed to launch and manage new ventures. “ENES460 - Fundamentals of Technology Start-Up Ventures” is a three-credit, online course held asynchronously, allowing students to complete the course from anywhere at anytime during the Summer I term of June 1 to July 10. This multidisciplinary course will draw on management, business, legal, financial, and technical concepts. Students will develop a business plan based on their own ideas. Dr. James V. Green, Director of the award-winning Hinman Campus Entrepreneurship Opportunities Program (Hinman CEOs) at the University of Maryland, will serve as the instructor for the course. Dr. Green held a variety of positions as a founder, manager, and advisor during his nine year tenure with technology ventures. Registration is now available on Testudo. Details of the summer school registration for non-UM students are available from http://oes.umd.edu/s/.

Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund Accepting Rolling Applications
If your company or technology could improve air or water quality around the Chesapeake Bay area, apply for investment from the Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund. Supported by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and administered by Mtech, the fund will invest $250,000 annually over a three-year period into Maryland-based startup companies with innovative technologies that may help improve air and water quality in the Chesapeake Bay area. Fund recipients are jointly selected by Mtech and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. More»

Mtech Summer Entrepreneurship Courses for High School Students
Mtech will offer two entrepreneurship courses this summer for high school students, from July 12-31 at the university’s College Park campus. The courses, offered through the university’s Young Scholars Program, enable students to earn three college credits in just three weeks.

ENES 140: Discovering New Ventures – Foundations of Entrepreneurship
Through this exciting, multi-disciplinary course, students will explore dynamic business and technology topics by working in teams to design a new business. Students will learn the basic business, strategy, and leadership skills needed to launch new ventures, as well as how to assess the feasibility of a startup venture and how to apply best practices for planning, launching, and managing new companies. Students will learn to recognize opportunities, assess the skills and talents of successful entrepreneurs, and learn models and “rules of thumb” that help navigate uncertainty. Field trips to area start-up companies will show how new ventures actually operate in today’s climate. Interactions with guest speakers will further enrich the classroom experience.

ENES 141: Introduction to Technology Marketing and Product Development
This multi-disciplinary course is for students interested in careers in marketing, business, engineering, or technology entrepreneurship who want to learn the principles behind developing and marketing technology products. Basic marketing theory is covered including customer segmentation, product positioning, branding, and pricing. Key technology areas and the kinds of products and industries surrounding those technology areas are also studied. Through a mix of course concepts and hands-on team projects, the course culminates in student team presentations of 21st century product concepts and marketing plans.

For more information about the Young Scholar’s Program and to apply, visit http://www.oes.umd.edu/s/ysp/.

Follow Mtech and Network on Facebook, Twitter for the Latest Updates
Follow Mtech on its new Facebook page and network with inventors, entrepreneurs, investors, service providers, Mtech staff, and more. Mtech is also newly on Twitter.

Upcoming Mtech Events

June 8-12: Fermentation Microbiology and Downstream Processing Workshops
Mtech's Biotechnology Research and Education Program (BREP) is hosting hands-on training in fermentation and downstream processing with proven experts at the Mtech Bioprocess Scale-up Facility.

The Fermentation Microbology Workshop (full course description) is a two-day, laboratory-intensive workshop providing hands-on experience and instruction with a variety of fermentation systems, as well as techniques, methodologies, principles and applications of aerobic bacterial and fungal fermentation.

The training provides hands-on experience and instruction with various fermentation systems and acquaints attendees with the techniques, methodologies, principles, and applications of aerobic bacterial and fungal fermentation.

The workshop provides an opportunity for participants not only to learn the principles of bacterial and fungal fermentation scale-up at the bench, but also recent advances and up-to-date applications of this methodology.

The three-day Downstream Processing and Protein Purification Workshop (full course description) provides hands-on laboratory exercises and classroom instruction on recovery and purification strategies for biotechnology products, especially proteins.

Participants will integrate theory with practice, and hands-on laboratory exercises will focus on state-of-the-art techniques in purification of biotechnology products.

For complete course descriptions, faculty information and to register, visit the BREP workshops Web site.

June 9, 10 a.m.-noon: Free, Open Entrepreneur Office Hours for University of Maryland Students, Faculty and Staff, and Regional Entrepreneurs with Tech-Based Startups or Ideas
Mtech is hosting free office hours to help aspiring and current entrepreneurs with tech-based startups or ideas get advice on how to:

  • build and finance a startup company
  • develop and protect intellectual property
  • navigate the technology transfer process
  • refine your business strategy for rapid growth
  • tap into other entrepreneurial resources

Representatives from the following organizations and groups are typically on hand to speak with you one-on-one regarding any questions you might have about starting a company:

Location: Room 1103, Technology Advancement Program building
Read more and register at: www.eoh.umd.edu

Partner Events

May 31-June 1: Maryland Economic Development Association Annual Conference
Solutions-driven economic development is the key for business retention and job growth, particularly during these turbulent times. The 2009 MEDA Annual Conference is designed to make an impact on the day-to-day jobs of the practitioner and provide business with the necessary tools to weather the storm. Hear about Maryland's competitiveness from the site selection consultants that research location decisions for businesses; learn what the Stimulus Package really means to job creation in Maryland on State and Federal terms; understand what is required for a successful state-wide small business response effort; participate in a first-ever candid discussion with economic development leaders from bordering states; and discover the impact public-private partnerships and regional efforts can have on your attraction and retention deals.
Location: Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge
More information: MEDA Web page

June 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Secrets of NIH Small Business Grant
 Applications (SBIR and STR)
As NIH success rates enter single digits and Angel and Venture Capital funding diminishes, small companies can apply for NIH Small Business Funds (SBIR & STTR). Hear the secrets of the $700 million NIH SBIR and STTR programs. Attending this session could be time well-spent if it helps you obtain research funds.
Location: Whiteford Taylor & Preston LLP, 7 St. Paul Street, 19th floor. Baltimore, MD 21202
More information: Greater Baltimore Committee Web site

June 4, 7:30-9 a.m.: Leaders + Legends: Sir Nigel Sheinwald, British Ambassador to the United States--Keeping Markets Open: What's Next After the London G20 Summit?
Location: Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, 202 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore
More information: JHU Web page

June 11, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: Mid-Atlantic Women & Technology Conference
2009 marks the first year of the Mid-Atlantic Women & Technology Conference & Awards to be held June 11, 2009 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. Created by a group of women technology professionals for women technology professionals, the first-ever Mid-Atlantic Women & Technology Conference & Awards is a one-day educational conference with exhibits letting you Experience the True Power of Women in Technology. Women from all technology disciplines in business, government, education and non-profit organizations will converge on Washington, D.C. for an informative conference that will take their networking to a higher level than ever before. The conference will culminate with the First Annual Mid-Atlantic Women & Technology Awards, to celebrate the women who drive technology innovation in their organization.
Location: Ronald Reagan International Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
More information: TCM events page

June 12, 7:30-0 p.m.: Financial Executives Forum Breakfast - Market Psychology
Register now to network with financial executives from the region’s top technology and biotechnology companies at the Tech Council of Maryland’s Financial Executives Forum breakfast on June 12, 2009 from 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. at the Bethesda Country Club. This is a must attend for all senior executives, financial executives and other financial professionals who want a great morning of networking. This breakfast features Wall Street expert Stefan Loren discussing market psychology. Why do we always seem to buy high and sell low? Find out when Dr. Loren discusses the psychological factors which drive our investment decision making process.
Location: Bethesda Country Club, 7601 Bradley Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20817
More information: TCM events page

June 16, 8 a.m.: Northern Virginia Tech Council Green Technology Event,
Reducing and Reporting Your Carbon Footprint Keynote Speaker: Rahul Young, Project Manager, ICF. Session 1: Carbon Footprint Reporting; Scope Definition; Tools; Who you report to (and why); Use for continuous improvements. Speaker: Bob Wassman, Senior Operations Manager of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Noblis. Session 2: Reducing Your Footprint - Low Cost/No Cost Ideas. Panelist: Dr. Carole LeBlanc, Department of Defense
Location: Noblis, 3150 Fairview Park Drive, South Falls Church, VA
More information: NVTC event page

June 16, 7:30-9:30 a.m.: Capital Formation Forum Breakfast - What You Need to Know to Complete Your Early Stage Financing
The Capital Formation Forum breakfast series highlights leaders from the region's angel, venture capital and entrepreneurial landscape. The newly configured Capital Formation Forum is focused on providing a place in which innovative technology and biotechnology leaders can meet, network and learn from each other.
Location: Tech Council of Maryland, 9715 Key West Avenue Kennedy Room, Rockville, MD 20850
More information: TCM events page

June 16-17: Maryland Biz Expo
How do you lead your company and position your career to not only survive an economic recession, but to grow and thrive? How do you navigate and overcome today's top challenges: Financing, Technology, Healthcare Costs, Workforce Development, Energy Costs, and Taxes? MD Biz Expo provides cutting-edge solutions to the most critical challenges facing Maryland economy, business, and workforce through education, resources, and tools, delivered by renowned thought leaders and innovative suppliers. Collaborate with influential thought leaders, more than 100 cutting-edge suppliers, 2000+ business executives and managers, industry innovators, universities, and government. Showcase your breakthrough ideas, resources, and tools. Take a seat at the table and contribute to the dialogue. Your participation says, “We’re here because we want to help you.” You’re not just meeting people; you’re solving problems with them. Make real business connections, build relationships, and grow your business – even during a recession! Participate in this statewide collaboration that is attacking the recession and doing business. The MD Biz Expo will address current issues facing Maryland's economy and will help businesses and organizations of all sizes experience the thrill of growth and innovation.
Location: Baltimore Convention Center, One West Pratt Street, Baltimore MD 21201
More information: Maryand Biz Expo Web site

June 17-18, 8 a.m.-5p.m.: Aberdeen Proving Ground Technology Showcase
Harford Community College will present a showcase of Aberdeen Proving Ground Technology and Research & Development (R&D) Contract Opportunities. Learn about the capabilities and technologies at, and coming to, Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Location: 200 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air, MD 21015
More information: event Web site

June 18, 7:30-11:30 a.m.: Integrating Regulatory Affairs and Business Development: Its Impact on Company Valuation
For most small and mid-size biopharma companies, building strategic value is closely aligned with the regulatory aspects of their drug development activities. The impact of regulatory decisions can impact funding, partnering, licensing, and/or M&A options. Our roster of speakers brings a wealth of experience in both business development and regulatory affairs. They will address many of the issues a biopharma company must consider as its product candidates move through the FDA regulatory process.
Location: MedImmune, One MedImmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
More information: TCM events page

June 18, 8:30-10:00 a.m.: BRAC Forum
An ongoing, invitation-only Forum to discuss how the Mid-Atlantic’s IT Community can capture and share information that leads to real business for the much-publicized and talked about BRAC program. Members of the BRAC Forum from an IT Perspective are asked to apply to serve on this committee and be prepared to share information on contacts, contracts, and business that will come to our area. This Forum IS NOT for those who want to discuss logistical challenges associated with BRAC. Instead, it is a tightly-focused, business sharing, business development and information sharing Forum that will help the participants plan their BRAC strategies. To be a member of the BRAC Forum from an IT Perspective, you are asked to submit an informal application.
Location: Convergence Technology Consulting, 808 Landmark Drive Suite 213, Glen Burnie, MD 21061
More information: Maryland Tech Council event page

June 23, 7:30-9:30 a.m.: Voices of Bio: Strategic Partnerships
In the current economic climate, all companies are looking for ways to alleviate risks and create competitive advantages. Some have found that strategic partnerships are the answer. Partnering is also becoming a significant source of funding for bioscience companies of all sizes. Strategic partnerships allow large companies to enhance their product portfolios and leverage technology breakthroughs, while smaller companies can benefit from an established company's experience in meeting FDA approval and organized sales policies to successfully handle product commercialization.
Location: Hilton Columbia, 5485 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045
More information: Greater Baltimore Tech Council event page

June 24, 5:30-8 p.m.: Face2Face: Scott Ferber, Founder, Advertising.com
Face2Face featuring the founder of Advertising.com - Scott Ferber In 1998 Scott, along with his brother John, founded Technosurf in a Towson townhouse. Technosurf eventually changed their name to Advertising.com and in the process, became one of Baltimore's biggest success stories. Scott and John established the company as the leader in online marketing and attracted the attention of media giant America Online/Time Warner. In 2004 they sold the company to AOL for $435 million in cash. Now Scott is back in the start up game with his newest venture TidalTV. From raising Venture Capital to growing a cutting edge technology business he is going through it all again. This peer-to-peer forum will provide an opportunity for you to hear Scott's journey, ask questions and find out how he worked through some of the same issues you may be facing today. This is an event that you don't want to miss! (*Please note: Attendance is reserved for executives from technology, biotech and manufacturing organizations. You must be a GBTC member in good standing and seating is limited to the first 14 individuals who respond, on a first-come, first-served basis, with preference given to those individuals who have not yet attended a dinner within the past 12 months.) Spots fill up quickly, so make your reservation today! Thank you to our series sponsors for making this event possible - Ernst & Young, Heidrick & Struggles, M&T Bank, and SC&H Group.
Location: Little Italy, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
More information: Greater Baltimore Tech Council event page

June 25, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.: Indian Head Division/Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Technology Transfer Showcase
Sensors, Nanotechnologies, Protective Coatings and More: An Explosion of Technologies and Partnering Opportunities Technology Transfer and Federal Marketplace Showcase. TEDCO partners with the Indian Head Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (IHDIV, NSWC) and Tech Council of Maryland (TCM) for a dynamic technology partnering program. The day includes keynote addresses by upper management from IHDIV, NSWC, and access to some of their latest technologies available for licensing through Technology Transfer (T2) programs. Opening remarks by Captain Neil Stubits, Commander, IHDIV, NSWC, will include an overview of IHDIV, NSWC’s mission and the value of employee innovation that not only supports the warfighter, but often translates to the commercial arena through technology transfer. The agenda also includes: Examples of successful T2 partnerships, technical presentations on technologies available for commercialization, networking, poster sessions, and exhibit-floor periods to learn more about available technologies and doing business with IHDIV, NSWC. Registration ends, Thursday, June 18. Limited seating.
Location: The Village Green Pavilion, 100 Walter Thomas Road, Indian Head, MD 20640
More information: TEDCO event page

June 25, July 30, and September 10: ExporTech
The ExporTech program is designed to help your company enter or expand into global markets, by helping you to understand how exports can be a major growth driver, identifying hurdles to expansion, and working with facilitators and experts to develop your customized international growth plan. By utilizing a team of exporting resources and experts, we help your company move quickly beyond just planning into actual export sales.

The program is intended for executives of small and mid-size product companies, and is aimed at both new-to-export companies and those that have done some exporting, but have not fully exploited global opportunities.

Participants work as a group through a process to accelerate the pace and increase the success rate of international sales effort. Unlike a static classroom environment, this course is customized to the specific learning needs of participants and produces an international growth plan for each company. Participants will also have the opportunity to work with international business experts to refine their international strategies.
Location: Baltimore, MD
More information: ExporTech Web page

June 29-30: Tech Council of Maryland 2009 Government Contracting Academy
This two-day intensive program offers companies the opportunity to get in-depth training on the tools necessary to be successful in the government contracting industry. Our eight sessions led by experts in both industry and the government will teach you how to be successful on contracting issues, procurement processes and business processes in a small, interactive, information-packed atmosphere. Whether your business is just getting started in the Federal Marketplace or you have been selling to the government for years, this program will provide you with the knowledge you need to be successful.
Location: Tech Council of Maryland Offices, 9713 Key West Avenue Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850
More information: TCM events page

July 9: Chesapeake Bay Regional Tech Council BBQ on the Bay Tech Expo
The 2009 Chesapeake Bay Regional Tech Council BBQ on the Bay Tech Expo features a bay-front, relaxed setting, providing members and potential members the opportunity to connect in a casual atmosphere. This year we expect to sell-out at 300 movers and shakers in the regional tech community.
Location: Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403
More information: CRTC event page


Mtech Sponsors
Mtech's venture programs work closely with organizations and persons, ranging from local entrepreneurs and angel investors to service providers and large corporations, who share a passion for starting and building ventures, as well as for training technologists to become founders. Mtech venture programs' valued 2008-2009 sponsors are Fish & Richardson P.C., Nixon Peabody LLP and the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO)

FR logo

Nixon Peabody logo

TECO

 

Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech)
A. James Clark School of Engineering
University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
301.405.3889