Issue 80 – July 2019
Message from the Executive Director
On July 1st, the Florida Institute began its 12th year of supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and technology commercialization across Florida. As we begin the new fiscal year, I want to congratulate the entrepreneurs who have dedicated themselves to building great companies and disruptive products that are truly changing lives, and thank the Institute Board of Directors, Leadership Council members, associates, and research and community partners for continuing to share our vision for a vibrant, diversified economy that will secure Florida’s future for generations to come.
FlexReceipts Becomes FlexEngage to Help Retailers Extend Personalization Across Every Transaction
Post-Sale Innovator Launches New Solutions Allowing Retailers to Transform Receipts, Packing Slips and Transactional Notifications into Shopper Engagement Channels
flexReceipts Inc., the leading innovator of personalized, digital receipts for retailers recently announced the release of an expanded suite of solutions to complement its industry-leading flagship e-receipts product. Along with an extended lineup, flexReceipts changed its name to flexEngage to better reflect the broader impact of its solutions. Funded by the Florida Institute in 2014, the Orlando-based company’s new offerings reach beyond personalized digital receipts to include dynamic packing slips, personalized printed receipt offers, order and ship notifications and post-purchase triggered emails that make it simple for retailers to add rich personalization to any transactional message. More information about flexEngage may be viewed here.
Scientist-Founder Kerriann Greenhalgh was interviewed recently to discuss the growth of her company KeriCure, one of the early companies funded by the Florida Institute. She discussed the advanced wound care products that the company is developing for both human and animal applications, and expansion into new markets where there is a demand for KeriCure products, including their recent, successful market launch in China. The company is based in Wesley Chapel and will be unveiling a new branding strategy soon to better reflect KeriCure’s recent successes. More information about the company may be viewed here.
RAPiD Genomics Delivers New Standard in HVT Vector Vaccine Detection and Disease Outbreak Characterization
Gainesville-based RAPiD Genomics, funded by the Florida Institute in 2015, develops and delivers innovative genomic applications to agribusinesses. The agricultural, forestry and livestock industries have been increasingly adopting genomic technologies to develop genetically improved germplasm for bioenergy, food and fiber production. RAPiD Genomics enables the application of these technologies by delivering genotyping and data analysis with numerous advantages over competing technologies.
Viral Flex-Seq is the ultimate tool for HVT vector vaccine verification and disease outbreak characterization. Powered by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, Viral Flex-Seq is a scalable, commercial test accessible to single farms or multinational integrators. As innovators in the field of genomic testing, RAPiD Genomics is setting the standard for HVT vector vaccine detection and associated infectious pathogen analysis. More information about RAPiD Genomics and its multiple services offerings may be viewed here.
Viral Flex-Seq is the ultimate tool for HVT vector vaccine verification and disease outbreak characterization. Powered by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, Viral Flex-Seq is a scalable, commercial test accessible to single farms or multinational integrators. As innovators in the field of genomic testing, RAPiD Genomics is setting the standard for HVT vector vaccine detection and associated infectious pathogen analysis. More information about RAPiD Genomics and its multiple services offerings may be viewed here.
Bob White of Gunster Joins Florida Institute Leadership Council
The Institute is pleased to announce that Bob White of Gunster, Florida’s law firm for business, has become a member of its Leadership Council. Gunster provides full-service legal counsel to leading organizations and individuals from its 12 offices statewide. Established in 1925, the firm has expanded, diversified and evolved, but always with a singular focus: Florida and its clients’ stake in it. With nearly 200 attorneys and 200 committed support staff, Gunster is ranked among the National Law Journal’s list of the 500 largest law firms and has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Diverse Law Firms by Law360. More information about Gunster and its practice areas, offices and insider’s view newsletters may be viewed here.
Don’t miss this opportunity to pitch to investors at the 22nd Annual BioFlorida Conferencetaking place at the Tampa Marriott Water Street from October 20-22. Companies seeking seed and early stage investment that are developing products in any area of life sciences or healthcare including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, healthcare IT, healthcare services and plant/animal sciences are encouraged to apply.
This year’s conference will feature:
- life sciences executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders;
- scientists, researchers, and commercialization professionals from university and research institutions;
- angel investors, venture capitalists, and potential strategic partners;
- technical and business sessions;
- legislators and economic development partners; and
- service providers specializing in the life sciences.
More information about BioFlorida and the Annual Conference may be viewed here.
About Us
Formed by the Florida Legislature in 2007, the Institute for Commercialization of Florida Technology supports and funds innovation 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 that are developing products that improve and save lives, and help companies improve their bottom line. The Institute’s economic impact between 2011 and 2018 was $1.4 billion, with an annual return on investment of 31 times to the State of Florida.