Issue 12- December 2013
The Institute finalized a funding agreement with Paracosm, bringing the number of companies funded through the Seed Capital Accelerator Program to 22. Paracosm is using technology developed at the University of Florida to leverage advances in computer-aided design (CAD) to convert consumer-grade depth cameras into powerful 3-D mapping systems.
Industries such as Geographic Information Systems and Facilities Management use imaging technology for inventory and asset tracking, building modeling, forensic reconstruction, retail-store layout, real-estate walkthroughs, and a number of other applications requiring accurate, detailed simulation and visualization. Users will be able to scan a space using readily-available cameras, upload their data to a cloud infrastructure that converts the scan to a CAD file, and download their model for use in any 3D CAD modeling tool of their choice.
Programs in Two Regions Concluded with Final Pitch Competitions
Last month both the Broward and Alachua/Gainesville regions held final sessions of this innovative 10-week entrepreneurial training program to determine the winning teams. Over a hundred participants in each region were paired with mentors to gain knowledge, skills, confidence and community support and prepare for self-employment or other viable career options, and to learn about moving research discoveries into the commercial marketplace. During the course of the program, each team created a comprehensive business plan, culminating in the delivery of a 10-minute pitch presentation to a panel of judges.
The Broward program, managed by Workforce One, produced sixteen teams who vied for top honors, and two teams won first place: Healical, a cloud-based platform to help developers build next-generation apps for healthcare based on technology from Florida International University, and NuPhoresis, a transdermal drug delivery system for chronic diseases, based on technology from the University of Florida. InfiniteD, also based on technology from Florida International University took home second place honors. The Alachua/Gainesville program, managed by FloridaWorks, produced first place winner, nRodx, a marine paint additive system that inhibits the growth of fouling organisms on marine assets. Programs are getting underway next month across the state in Leon, Hillsboro and Pinellas counties.
Florida Produces Winner of Bio/Plan Pitch Competition
Southeast BIO is a regional non-profit organization that fosters the growth of the life science industry by assembling a robust technology pipeline that brings entrepreneurs and industry leaders together. On November 6th and 7th, innovative drug therapies, advanced medical devices, and cutting-edge healthcare technologies were showcased during the Annual 2013 Southeast BIO Investor & Partnering Forum in Richmond, VA, which attracted attendees from throughout the southeast United States.
Some of the most promising companies in the region were featured at the event, and Institute-assisted Constellation Research, won the Bio/Plan Pitch Competition. Constellation Research is a medical-image analysis company based on technology developed at the University of Florida that will help provide early detection of blindness and sight threatening diseases such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age related macular degeneration (AMD).
Following the scientific presentations, a panel of community leaders from the Komen Foundation, the Quantum Foundation and Oxbow Carbon discussed the importance of philanthropy and the need to support this type of research due to the decline in available federal funding. The event was organized by the Palm Beach Business Group and attended by over 200 members of the local business community.
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