Building Companies, Changing Lives


Issue 53 – April 2017

 
VetCV Receives Institute Funding
 
The Institute has finalized a first-round funding agreement with VetVC, a Pensacola-based company with technology developed at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC). VetCV provides an app where Veterans and their families can track and manage their healthcare activities, make appointments, request status data, track important life events, and manage their careers. Users will also be able to store valuable medical, military and personal records and memories safely. VetCV provides a platform for Veterans to build personal support networks with other VetCV members, and puts control of information back in the Veterans’ hands by giving Veterans and/or their caregivers a secure platform to capture and store vital information.

Florida Universities Ranked Top 25 in Tech Transfer

Three Florida universities ranked top among all research universities in the country for technology transfer according to the Milken Institute 2017 ranking of Best Universities for Technology Transfer. The ranking is based on four key indicators of technology transfer success: patents issued, licenses issued, licensing income and start-ups formed. The University of Florida (UF) ranked 3rd, the University of South Florida (USF) ranked 19th, and the University of Central Florida (UCF) ranked 22nd, with several other Florida universities ranking among the top 300. The full report may be viewed here.



Two Institute-Funded Companies Receive Recognition


Innovation Coast and the Office of Economic Development and Engagement (OEDE) at the University of West Florida held the Innovation Awards  on April 12-13, 2017 at the Pensacola Beach Hilton. Twelve finalists were selected out of 61 companies that registered. Among those finalists, two Institute-funded companies were awarded. In the veteran category, first place went to Mine Survival, Inc., a company that is the premier manufacturer of cutting edge surface rebreathers that enable breathing in toxic environments. In the post-revenue category, Robotics Unlimited, Inc., a company that specializes in bringing robotics technology to the consumer marketplace was recognized. Additional information may be viewed here.

Transgenex Nanobiotech Awarded SBIR Grant
 
Transgenex Nanobiotech, Inc., a nano-biotechnology company that engages in the discovery and development of nanoparticle formulations and nano-encapsulation methods for the treatment of cancer, has been awarded a $1.49 million Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Award from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs are NCI's engine of innovation for developing and commercializing novel technologies and products to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. The contract will help fund further development of the company’s novel cancer stem cell inhibitor, TN-1008. They received initial funding from the Institute in June 2015.


Register for the 14th Annual BioFlorida Celebration of Technology


Join BioFlorida for the 14th Annual Celebration of Biotechnology on May 4, 2017 at the Foundation Park in Alachua, Florida. The Celebration of Biotechnology is an outdoor event showcasing the life sciences community in the Alachua region and throughout Florida. The event attracts more than 80 life science exhibitors and 500 industry professionals from emerging and established life sciences companies, universities and research institutions, economic development agencies, investment networks and firms, and supporting organizations. More details and event registration may be viewed here.


Register Today for 2017 Florida Early Stage Capital Conference
 
Join the Florida Venture Forum for the 10th Annual Florida Early Stage Capital Conference and the 7th Annual Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition on May 19, 2017 at the Omni ChampionsGate Resort in Orlando, Florida. Listen to pitches from some of the most dynamic Florida based early stage companies, and network with investors.
 
The 10th Annual Florida Early Stage Capital Conference is one of the largest gatherings of angel and early stage investors in the Southeast, and features panel discussions, speakers, and presentations by some of Florida’s fastest growing private companies. Also, hear from students representing the top universities throughout the state as they compete to win the 2017 Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition. 

About Us
 
Formed by the Florida Legislature in 2007, the Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively with the technology licensing and commercialization offices of Florida’s state universities and private research institutions to leverage a $2.5B+ research base and form investable companies that create clean jobs in new industries that are driving the global economy. The Institute provides company building services, and seed funding through the Florida Technology Seed Capital Fund, to promising Florida startups. Sixty-eight companies have been funded to date, and the Institute’s economic impact through June 30, 2016 was $630 million, with an annual return on investment of 22 times to the State of Florida.