Building Companies, Changing Lives

 


Issue 11- November 2013

 

Orlando-based Company Expands Operations

Last month, Garmor, Inc. held a ribbon cutting ceremony to announce the opening of their new 10,000 square foot facility near the Orlando International Airport. Leaders in industry, academia and government joined company officials to celebrate the occasion which was marked by tours of the facility and information about Garmor’s best practices and commitment to safety and quality.

Based on sponsored research conducted at the University of Central Florida, Garmor has developed a cost-effective method of producing high-quality graphene, a carbon-based material similar to carbon nanotubes and fullerenes. By leveraging a new manufacturing methodology, Garmor plans to initially market graphene oxide for use in high-volume industries.

 

Institute-assisted Company Wins Local Award

Members of the entrepreneurial community gathered on October 28th to attend the 3rd Annual GAIN Shootout, hosted by the Gainesville Area Innovative Network. The event is designed to ignite inspiration and entrepreneurship within the community.  At the event emerging startups pitched their business ideas to investors while competing for prizes. Sixteen companies vied for the title of “Top Gun,” and Institute-assisted Paracosm took home first prize. Paracosm, based on technology developed at the University of Florida, provides realistic, detailed and dimensionally-accurate indoor 3-D modeling and navigation using off-the-shelf, consumer-grade cameras.       
         

 

Research Park at FAU Awarded Excellence in Economic Development

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) presented the Silver Excellence award to the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University for its 2012 project in the category of Partnerships with Educational Institutions. The Award recognizes success in achieving outcomes such as increasing research capacity and activity at FAU within the companies; increasing the quality of the students education as they undertake internships and visits to companies; creating jobs for graduates and increasing the ability of students to create their own companies (jobs) as a result of their involvement.

 

 
Institute Welcomes New Leadership Circle Member
 

The Institute welcomes SunTrust Banks as the newest member of the Leadership Circle. SunTrust Banks, Inc., with total assets of $172 billion as of September 30, 2013, is one of the nation's largest and strongest financial holding companies. Through its banking subsidiaries, the company provides deposit, credit, trust, and investment services to a broad range of retail, business, and institutional clients. Other subsidiaries provide mortgage banking, brokerage, investment management, equipment leasing, and capital market services. Atlanta-based SunTrust enjoys leading market positions in some of the highest growth markets in the United States and also serves clients in selected markets nationally.

 

 
 

ROBRADY has been named a finalist in the Transport, Medical and World Changing categories of the 2013 Spark Awards. One of the nominated products is the CareAlert™Monitoring System developed by Caregiver Watch, a company based on technology developed at the University of Florida. The Spark Awards are a global design competition founded in 2001 to honor better living through better design. Final judging for the competition will occur in November.

Projections state that the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s could reach 7.1 million over the next 12 years. CareAlert™, an integrated in-home monitoring system, provides reliable alerts to caregivers whenever a care recipient leaves their bed or wanders outside. Caregiver Watch partnered with ROBRADY to develop their initial proof-of-concept with unique design requirements into a commercial ready unit, resulting in a humanized design that yielded a cohesive safety system.  

 

 
           
Program Launches in Pinellas County
 
Startup Quest™ is an economic development program being implemented in eight regions across the state that teaches unemployed and underemployed professionals about entrepreneurship, advanced technologies, emerging industries, and more. Session One in Pinellas County was held in October and attracted over 100 program participants who were matched with entrepreneurs and industry leaders who serve as program mentors. For more information about how to participate as a mentor or judge, please contact Susan Scully at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 

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 launching in 2013. For more information, visit www.florida-institute.com