May Newsletter/Institute for Commercialization of Florida Technology

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Issue 78 – May 2019
NanoPhotonica Announces New Funding
 
NanoPhotonica, based in Lake Mary, has secured $3.5M in funding. The round was led by Samsung Ventures, with participation from DeepWork Capital (formerly the FAN Fund). The company provides innovative nano-materials and fabrication techniques that enable electronic displays to have high resolution and efficiency, plus pure, vivid colors at significantly reduced manufacturing costs, and intends to use the funds to hire engineering staff, finalize development and move to the product commercialization phase.

Led by CEO Chris Morton, NanoPhotonica’s electroluminescent quantum dot light emitting diode (EL-QLED) device technology will enable the next generation of electronic displays of HDTVs, smartphones, tablets, and notebooks to exhibit superior brightness, resolution, thinness (flexible/foldable), viewing angle and power consumption in comparison to current LCD, OLED and QD Overlay based approaches. More information about NanoPhotonica may be viewed here.
 
Keystone Heights-based Auxadyne Featured in Forbes.com

Auxadyne was recently featured in Forbes.com in an article that focused on their development of new foam technology which may be used in football helmets to protect players from head injury. The technology, called auxetic foam, was invented by Changchun Zeng, an associate professor in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and a researcher in FSU’s High-Performance Materials Institute (HPMI). The work is being supported by a grant from the National Football League’s Play Smart. Play Safe health and safety initiative, and the full article may be viewed here.


SharpSpring, Inc. Renews Membership in Institute Leadership Council
 
The Institute is pleased to announce that Gainesville-based SharpSpring has increased its commitment to the organization and its mission by renewing membership in the Leadership Council. SharpSpring (NASDAQ: SHSP) is a rapidly growing, highly-rated global provider of affordable marketing automation delivered via a cloud-based Software-as-a Service (SaaS) platform. Thousands of businesses around the world rely on SharpSpring to generate leads, improve conversions to sales, and drive higher returns on marketing investments. Known for its innovation, open architecture and free customer support, SharpSpring offers flexible monthly contracts at a fraction of the price of competitors making it an easy choice for growing businesses and digital marketing agencies. The company is growing rapidly and more information about career opportunities may be foundhere.
 
The Institute’s Leadership Council is comprised of leading corporations, foundations, and service provider organizations who share the vision for a vibrant diversified economy in Florida. Consider supporting the growth of Florida’s innovation ecosystem and join today to help shape Florida’s future! More information about the Leadership Council may be viewedhere.


Led by Co-Founder and CEO David Massias, Members of Gainesville-based Shadow Health Participating in Street Cleanup


Early Registration and BioPitch Application Opening for BioFlorida Annual Conference

The 22nd Annual BioFlorida Conference will take place at the Tampa Marriott Water Street from October 20-22. 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.
Registration is open, and applications for BioPitch are now being accepted. More information about BioFlorida and the Annual Conference may be viewed here.   
Register Today for Government Contracting Workshop

The Collaboratory for Women Innovators and Washington Concepts, Inc. (WCI) will hold The WCI Federal CONNECTOR POWER Session™ at UF Innovate | The Hub on Thursday, June 6, 2019, from 1:00 – 3:30. The session will provide tools and information on how to do business with the Federal Government, and will begin to connect small, minority, veteran and/or women-owned businesses (SMVWOBs) to Federal Government contracting opportunities. The session is open to all and more information about how to register may be viewed here.
Applications to SUP-X Startup Competition Now Being Accepted!
$25,000 in Cash and Prizes; Applications due by June 16th

 
The SUP-X Conference is taking place on July 25, 2019 at the Broward Convention Center in Ft. Lauderdale, where over 1,000 attendees and 100+ exhibitors will convene for networking, education, and business development opportunities.  More information about the Startup Competition 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.