Issue 30 – June 2015
Garmor Achieves Graphene Production Milestone
Orlando-based Garmor Inc.- a leading manufacturer of high quality graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide flakes - has successfully increased single-machine production of graphene oxide to 20 tons per year to meet the demands of commodity-type applications. This scale-up effort designed and validated an automated, turn-key system that produces graphene oxide and water as its only by-product. The technology facilitates the rapid increase in manufacturing capacity and presents an ideal method for producing graphene oxide at customer sites. Garmor, based on technology developed at the University of Central Florida, received seed funding from the Institute in April of 2013.
GuideWell Podcast Shares Recipe for Entrepreneurial Development and Talent Retention in Florida
Florida Institute Chief Executive Officer Jamie Grooms, and Guidewell Vice President of Enterprise Innovation Renee Finley were recently interviewed for the GuideWell Insights podcast series to discuss their shared vision for developing Florida’s innovation-based economy. Ms. Finley is also a member of the Florida Institute Board of Directors, and during the interview they discussed how to foster, develop and retain Florida’s best and brightest entrepreneurial talent, highlighting the support services and funding resources provided by the Institute. The full interview may be viewed here.
Florida Patent Pro Bono Program Launches with Events in
Miami and Tampa
Two events were held in early May to celebrate the availability of the Patent Pro Bono program in Florida. The first event was held in Miami, where the Institute secured a spot on Center Stage at the widely-attended eMerge Americas Conference, and featured technology and social entrepreneur Traver Kennedy, who was ranked by NetworkWorld magazine as one of the “25 Most Powerful People” in computing, and has worked on special projects with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a division of the United Nations. The second event was held at the University of South Florida Research Park in Tampa and featured T. David Petite, a prolific inventor in the field of computer networking, and founder of the Native American Intellectual Property Enterprise Council, a non-profit organization helping Native American inventors and communities.
Tallahassee-based Domi Station Expands Entrepreneurial Services
Domi Station, co-founded by John Vecchio, Partner at Mosley Ventures and member of the Institute Investor Advisory Board is focused on the creation of early stage startup companies. Domi Station accelerates their growth by providing entrepreneurs with access to a network of mentors, investors, and collaborators, with the goal of leveraging the largely untapped human and intellectual capital and resources in the northwest Florida region. Institute Entrepreneur-in-Residence Dr. Lawrence Tinker is a program mentor.
Domi Station recently held SeedTLH, a pitch night that brought investors together with ten local startup companies, including Institute-supportedRobotics Unlimited, as well as others offering software and physical product solutions across multiple industry sectors. Domi Station celebrated its one-year anniversary with an open house on Thursday, June 4th.
U Innovation: C2C Concept to Commercialization Series Event Delivered Investor Advice for Miami Startups
The University of Miami held its “Funding Your Startups: Perspectives from Angel Investors and VCs” session on May 26th, sponsored by the Florida Institute with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The evening event featured Rhys Williams, New World Angels, Dr. Andrew Levin, H.I.G. BioVentures, and Alison Tanner, Florida Institute who discussed their backgrounds and experience starting, growing and funding new businesses, and offered insights into available funding sources and strategies for Florida-based entrepreneurs. With funding from the Knight Foundation, this event was representative of the Institute’s commitment to support activities that identify, attract and educate potential investors, with the goal of catalyzing more funding activity for early-stage companies.
The June 30th seminar, “Evolving Patenting Strategies for Genes, Biomarker and Products of Nature” features guest speaker Logan Buck from the Alston & Bird Law Firm. More details about upcoming seminars and event registration may be viewed here.
Don’t Miss the 2015 BioFlorida Annual Conference!
BioFlorida will hold its Annual Conference from October 11- 13, 2015 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, and registration is now open. The organization supports the largest and most prestigious life sciences community in the state, and conference attendees will connect with more than 500 life science professionals from Florida and throughout the country, including scientists, executives, investors, policy makers and service providers. The 2-day conference provides a comprehensive speaker lineup from all sectors of the life sciences including biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical devices and bioagriculture, and this year will feature an enhanced BioPitch presentation format where accepted companies will compete behind closed-door sessions, and finalists will present to a panel of judges later in the day. More details about the conference and event registration may be viewed BioFlorida Annual Conference.
Startup Quest® Pitch Sessions Underway
Last month several regions including Alachua, Broward, Volusia and Duval counties held final pitch sessions for the statewide Startup Quest® program. Several Institute associates participated as mentors or judges 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 where winning teams were selected.
Regional Program Managers across the state are seeking mentors, judges and other program participants who wish to be involved in upcoming sessions. For more information contact Stephanie George at
About Us
The Institute delivers company building and funding programs to facilitate new venture and job creation through commercially-viable technologies in major industries that are driving the global economy. In addition to providing company support services, the Institute manages the Seed Capital Accelerator Program launched in 2011, and the Florida Technology Seed Capital Fund launched in 2013. For more information, visit www.florida-institute.com.