Exciting News From The Florida Institute

Issue 4

Bing Energy and NeuroNet Learning Approved for Seed Funding

Two companies were approved recently for funding through the Institute’s Seed Capital Accelerator Program (SCAP), which provides loans to qualified companies who must raise private investment capital to match Institute funding.

Bing Energy, based on technology licensed from Florida State University in Tallahassee is an early-stage company that has patented breakthrough nanotechnology to create a more commercially viable fuel cell.

NeuroNet Learning, based on technology developed at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition is focused on innovative educational software that improves memory retention using physical activity.

Companies funded to date through the SCAP program have attracted as much as 4-5X additional private investment capital, and created jobs at an average annual salary of $74,000.

Integene Selected to Present at National Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer (NCET2) Showcase

Institute-assisted Integene presented at the NCET2 conference held in Washington, DC from March 20-22. Building on a community of Global 1000 companies, VCs, angel investors and SBIR program managers, this year the conference featured university startups based on the $35 billion federally funded research conducted annually.

Integene is optimizing stem cell treatments for cardiovascular disease. Based on technology developed at University of Miami, Integene advances procedures for regulating human growth factors within stem cells or host tissues, and bio-engineering stem cells to provide an optimized therapy for ischemia related disease.

TruVitals wins the Harvard Business School of Chicago Regional Business Plan Competition

Congratulations to Institute-assisted TruVitals for winning the Harvard Business School Chicago Regional business plan competition. TruVitals is committed to developing a non-contact, continuous heartbeat and respiratory monitor based on technology developed by Dr. Jenshan Lin at the University of Florida. The company will go on to the Alumni NVC Finals at Harvard Business School on April 29-30 to compete for a $50K prize.

The Institute welcomes two new members to its Investor Advisory Board, a 26-member group that provides company funding reviews and coaching. Christy Shaffer, PhD, Hatteras Venture Partners, is Managing Director of Hatteras Discovery and a seasoned entrepreneur and biotech executive, with over 20 years of experience in the life science industry. Timothy J. Cartwright, Tamiami Angel Fund is Chairman of Tamiami Angel Fund I and an active member of numerous local, regional and state level organizations and initiatives.

The Institute works with some of Florida’s most promising startup companies and entrepreneurs, delivering both company building and company funding programs. According to Julian Miller, eMotion Technologies, “It's really awesome that the Institute is providing their services in business plan development, because it would have been such a daunting task for me to boil everything down that much further...I was stoked to get it down to 40 pages from 120! Its awesome to have a fresh set of eyes on it that also brings some experience to the table! I'm beyond grateful for everything the team has been doing for us! You are all making a profound impact on our company and doing the same I'm sure to countless others so I wanted to thank you again personally for your support.”

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The Cade Museum Prize for Creativity and Invention launches an annual competition to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in Florida. The Cade Museum Prize is open to all Florida residents. Entries are evaluated and judged through four rounds. The Sweet 16 finalists are announced after Round 2 and the Final Four are announced after Round 3.