Saturday, October 30, 2010

FREE Job Fair - Find Great Employees: VIRTUALLY Nov 17-19

NOVEMBER 17-19, 2010

The Virtual Job Fair is a 3-day
24 hour online recruiting event for showcasing your high-tech,
high-skill jobs and internships to high-caliber job seekers.


Find great employees from the privacy and convenience of your own computer.

Take full advantage of Virtual Job Fair by becoming a Featured Business Exhibitor or a Partner Sponsor! Reserve a prominent spot for your booth on our home page with high visibility to all visitors throughout the site.

How this works:

  • Employers secure the Business Exhibitor’s Package
  • Brevard Workforce promotes the job fair to job candidates
  • Candidates review job fair listings and post their resumes online at www.virtualjobfairFL.com
  • Employers monitor and review postings

Business Exhibitor
Booth Registration
Deadline:

Nov. 16, 2010


WHAT IS INCLUDED?

In your FREE Virtual
Job Fair Package:

  • Virtual booth with space for your company logo
  • Unlimited job postings
  • Business profile
  • Access to all resumes collected at the fair
  • Customer and technical support (during normal business hours)
  • There is no cost for businesses to participate



Maximize Your Exposure

Sponsorships and featured
business slots available

Contact us for additional
information:
321-394-0583
vjfinfo@brevardworkforce.com

Programs funded through Brevard Workforce are
equal opportunity programs with auxiliary aids and services upon request to individuals with disabilities.
TTY/TDD 1-800-955-8771. Voice 1-800-955-8770.

SID Student Chapter Seminar: 11.10.10 / CREOL 102 / 11-12pm/ “e-Paper Technology and Future Development“, Dr. Janglin Chen

SID Student Chapter Seminar: “e-Paper Technology and Future
Development“, Dr. Janglin Chen
CREOL102
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 / 11-12pm

Dr. Janglin (John) Chen
Vice President & General Director
Display Technology Center
Industrial Technology Research Institute

Abstract:
Electronic paper (e-Paper) has drawn much attention for its promise to
curb the overuse of paper, such as printed matters, and office
documents, etc. The one important feature of e-Paper displays is that
they do not require backlight to operate, providing a power saving,
paper-like reading experience. Also, their bi-stability enables zero
power consumption for still image display.

To meet the future needs for digital life style and for ‘greener’
display panels, ITRI has focused research on flexible display
technologies. For digital life, flexible EPD, OLED will address the
portability, while flexible touch is to enhance user-friendly interface.
For ‘green panel,’ large-area, roll-to-roll processable Ch-LCD will
deliver power saving, material and cost advantages.

Biography:
Dr. Janglin (John) Chen is a Vice President of Industrial Technology
Research Institute (ITRI) in Taiwan, and the General Director of
ITRI’s Display Technology Center. Prior to Joining ITRI, Dr. Chen
was a Research Fellow of Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York,
where he held many R&D managerial positions from 1982 to 2006, and is
the author of sixty technical articles, and 33 issued US Patents. A
native of Taiwan, Dr. Chen holds a Bachelor degree from Tsing Hua
University, a Ph.D. degree from Polytechnic University in Brooklyn, New
York, and is a graduate of Stanford Executive Program, Graduate School
of Business, Stanford University.

For More Information:
Linghui Rao - SID Chair
CREOL 283
407-823-6876
lrao@creol.ucf.edu

Seminar: 11.5.10 / CREOL 102 / 4-5pm / “Additive manufacturing, repair and salvage of turbo machinery components by Laser Metal Deposition”, Dr. Kelba

Seminar: “Additive manufacturing, repair and salvage of turbo
machinery components by Laser Metal Deposition”, Dr. Kelbassa
CREOL 102
Friday, November 5, 2010 / 4:00-5:00pm

Akad. Oberrat Dr.-Ing. Ingomar Kelbassa
Vice and Academic Director, Lehrstuhl fuer Lasertechnik, RWTH Aachen
University

Abstract:
Turbo machinery components such as blade integrated disks (BLISKs) and
nozzle guide vanes (NGVs) made from Nickel and Titanium base alloys such
as Inconel 718, Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-6246, Ti-17, Mar-M247 and CMSX-4 are
predestinated for repair and salvage operations due to their high value.
Currently these components are manufactured by time and cost intensive
process chains containing processing steps such as casting, forging,
milling, linear friction welding, thermal spraying etc.

The laser additive manufacturing process Laser Metal Deposition (LMD)
offers new effective entire process chains by decreasing the number of
processing steps as well as by enabling emerging applications for
specific process steps. Parts can be repaired which were formally
classified as non-repairable and components can be manufactured
additively by new process chain designs and new processes.

This talk addresses the pathways from feasibility studies over process
developments yielding in certified processes and industrially
implemented machines. For BLISK manufacturing the single blades are
directly manufactured additively on the disk by LMD. The significant
increase of the deposition rate combined with a near-net-shape
deposition is realized by the use of up to 10 kW laser power and the
first application of a newly-designed LMD head with an integrated
zoom-optics. The achievable metallurgical, mechanical - static and
dynamic mechanical properties - and geometrical results, the implemented
process chains including CAD/CAM/NC-coupling are presented and
discussed.

Biography:
Akad. Oberrat Dr.-Ing. Ingomar Kelbassa has studied mechanical
engineering at RWTH Aachen University and has been working in the field
of Laser Materials Processing at Fraunhofer ILT and Lehrstuhl fuer
Lasertechnik (LLT), RWTH Aachen University, since 2000. His experience
gained is shown by approx. 50 scientific publications. Since mid 2006
Ingomar Kelbassa is Vice and Academic director of LLT as well as he is
involved in the acquisition of large-scale projects at Fraunhofer ILT.

For More Information:
Dr. Ilya Mingareev
Townes Laser Institute, CREOL
Phone: 1 (407) 823 6042
E-Mail: imingare@creol.ucf.edu

Thursday, October 28, 2010

TRDA workshop on financing tech startups

FINANCING TECHNOLOGY VENTURES
A Workshop For Technology Companies
Raising Capital To Grow Their Business
If you are considering raising angel or venture capital investment for your business, then this TRDA workshop is for you!
You will learn what angels and venture capitalists look for in companies they invest in, along with the math behind the valuation offers they make. We will also dissect the language and impact to you for each element of a “term sheet”, which is the offer letter used by most angel groups and venture capitalists.
This workshop will also introduce the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) federal grant program as an option for early-stage capital, which is targeted specifically towards highly innovative early-stage technology companies.
Topics covered will include:
 An introduction to angel investing and venture capital
 How venture capitalists determine the value of a company
 How to make a pitch to an investor
 Investor due diligence and what they look for in a company
 Term sheet and offer letter basics
 Small Business Innovation Research Program Funding
Date: November 9, 2010
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $75 (includes a box lunch)
Location: TRDA Business Innovation Center
1050 W. NASA Boulevard
Melbourne, Florida 32901

Register and pay online at www.trda.org, or contact Brenda McMillan: bmcmillan@trda.org or call 321.872.1050 X103

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

LightPath Technologies is sponsoring a Laser Focus World Webcast on IR Optics: Meaningful Specifications for Complex Aspheres

Increasingly, aspheric optical elements are moving from the specialized to the commonplace. Nowhere is this more pronounced than in IR optical systems, where it is common to find more aspheric elements than spherical ones. But despite the increasing use of aspheres, specifying their shape and other properties is still far from a routine process.

Greg Forbes of QED Technologies will present a new and intuitive way to mathematically represent rotationally symmetric aspheric surfaces, leading to easier interpretations and sanity checks as well as more-direct assessments of manufacturability. Dave Aikens of Savvy Optics will highlight some of the key issues to consider when specifying an aspheric optical element, and will provide guidance on making the best use of the optical-drawing formats available to the user today.

What You'll Learn

  • Review of conventional asphere-shape representation
  • A new, simpler way to represent aspheres
  • Review of surface-form tolerancing
  • Key issues in specifying an aspheric optical element
  • Guidance on specifying for manufacturability

Who Should Attend:
Engineers, Optical Designers, Optical System Engineers, Optical Manufacturers, IR System Designers.

When:
October 29, 2010

Time:
10:00 AM PDT | 12:00 PM CDT | 1:00 PM EDT | 17:00 GMT

Premieres LIVE: October 29, 2010

Need More Details?

Click Here to Register

Friday, October 22, 2010

TODAY - Physics Colloquium- Fri., Oct. 22, MAP 318, 4:20 P.M.

Dr. Ilya Krivorotov

University of California - Irvine

Spin Transfer and Nonlinear Magnetization Dynamics in Ferromagnetic Nanostructures

Spin transfer torque from a spin-polarized current applied to a metallic ferromagnet can excite magnetization oscillations of very large amplitude. We use this unique property of spin current to study new types of magnetization dynamics in the strongly nonlinear regime.

I will describe our recent measurements of spin-current-driven dynamics in nanoscale ferromagnetic dots and ferromagnetic nanowires. In these systems, we observe several unusual magneto-dynamic phenomena that include non-adiabatic stochastic resonance, rapid current-induced domain wall motion and size quantization of nonlinear magnon scattering. I will also briefly discuss emerging technologies such as universal magnetic memory and microwave nanooscillators that utilize interactions between spin currents and magnetization in nanoscale magnetic tunnel junctions.

OPEN SOURCE: Is Open Really Free

Title: OPEN SOURCE: Is Open Really Free

Presenter: Howard Gitten with Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP

Date: Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

Time: 9:30-11:00

Location: University Tower Building located at 12201 Research Parkway,

2nd Floor large conference room #211, Orlando, FL., 32826

Fee: $20 (Free to only UCF Incubator clients and Florida Photonics Cluster members)

RSVP to Renee Ayala at 407-882-0202 or via email rayala@mail.ucf.edu

Many companies from Incubator start ups to Microsoft are increasingly making use of Open Source

software. But what does that really mean? We will explore what is meant by 'open source', some

of the more common licenses, and what business ramifications it may have for downstream use,

investors, and joint development partners.

Howard Gitten bio:

Having worked both in-house at a cutting edge photonics company, and in private

practice, Howard brings a unique perspective to technology law. He brings a

business Perspective to technology issues and his technology background to

business issues. As a registered patent attorney, Howard, along with his

colleagues in the Intellectual Property Department, not only know how best to

protect a client's unique assets, but how best to make them marketable and best use

intellectual property for competitive advantage. Howard has advised his clients in

instituting cradle-to-grave IP regimes, to licensing IP and building joint development programs around a client's IP.

Business Resource Showcase-Power Tolls for Success

Thursday, October 21, 2010

UCF Physics: Nobel Laureate Dr. David M. Lee's Talk on Nov 4, 2010


Nobel Laureate Dr. David M. Lee from Texas A&M University will present a
talk on'The Magic of Superfluids' onThursday, November 4, 2010 at 4:20
p.m. in Classroom Bldg 1, Room 121.

About David M. Lee: He graduated from Harvard University in 1952. He
obtained a Masters degree from the University of Connecticut. In 1955
Lee entered the Ph.D. program at Yale University where he worked under
Henry A. Fairbank in the low-temperature physics group, doing
experimental research on liquid3He . After graduating from Yale in
1959, Lee took a job at Cornell University, where he was responsible for
setting up the new Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics.
Together with Robert C. Richardson and their graduate student at
Cornell, Doug Osheroff, David M. Lee was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1996
for the discovery of superfluidity in 3He, and the identification of its
phase diagram.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP) Offers up to 40 Hours of FREE Engineering Support for Qualified Requestors

SATOP is available to any US-based small business or manufacturer (under 500 employees). Apply on-line at www.spacetechsolutions.com by submitting a Request for Technical Assistance (RTA).

How does it work?

Businesses submit a qualified RTA on-line. The SATOP Staff works to find an Alliance Partner (AP) engineer with the appropriate expertise to provide a solution. Once an AP is found, your company can receive up to 40 hours of free assistance by phone, fax or email. Most RTA's will be resolved within 90 days.

What kind of requests can SATOP accept?

Requests should be clearly defined and focused on a specific project within one of the following engineering disciplines:

Mechanical

Electrical

Electronics

Manufacturing

Chemical

Materials

Environmental

Industrial

Structural

(SATOP cannot provide software, internet, or information technology solutions.)

The project must appear solvable within 40 hours. Please be prepared to provide drawings, prototypes, or samples as needed, and be available to communicate with the Alliance Partner.

shuttle satop
SATOP SUCCESS STORIES

What do
laser fishing lures, kettle popcorn andnose filters all have in common?

The same thing that a
clothes dryer and a marine safety ladder does ...

The success story samples are just a few of the many successes that SATOP has collected over the years.

SATOP can assist all types of businesses - not just those in the high tech arena. SATOP is a completely FREE service that is funded by NASA and there are no charges whatsoever associated with accessing the program.

SATOP utilizes the technical resources of the US Space Program participants and contractors, NASA centers, universities and colleges
.

Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program
Technological Research and Development Authority
1050 West NASA Boulevard, Ste 125
Melbourne, FL 32901
www.trda.org www.spacetechsolutions.com
321-872-1050 x103 Fax: 321-872-1051

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Health Care Reform (HR 3590): How it Does and Will Effect You

Title: Health Care Reform (HR 3590): How it Does and Will Effect You

Presenters: Carl Patten, director, health care policy at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida in Jacksonville, Florida.

Date: Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

Time: 11:30-1:00

Location: University Tower Building located at 12201 Research Parkway,

2nd Floor large conference room #211, Orlando, FL., 32826

Fee: $20 Lunch included (Free to only UCF Incubator clients and Florida Photonics Cluster members)

RSVP to Renee Ayala at 407-882-0202 or via email rayala@mail.ucf.edu

Health Care Reform (HR 3590): How It Does and Will Effect You

Many say small businesses will be big winners under health care reform but some entrepreneurs and the organizations that represent them say the only thing big about the new law will be the problems and taxes that come with it. The one thing we are certain of is there is considerable confusion about it all. So what are the facts?

Although some of the changes are already taking place, most of them are yet to come. Join us to benefit from Mr. Patten's expert insights as he provides:

· An overview of the legislation,

· An explanation of the implementation process and the complexities involved, and

· A description of potential impacts to employers.

It is important to understand how this historic legislation to address some of the core problems in healthcare (cost, access and quality) will impact you and your business.

Carl W. Patten, Jr., JD, MPH

Carl Patten is director, health care policy at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. Carl oversees the process of aligning BCBSF's public policy positions with its mission and strategy. He is also responsible for informing internal and external key stakeholders about a range of public policy issues. Carl is a graduate of Claremont McKenna College, the University of Chicago Law School and the Harvard School of Public Health. Carl also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of North Florida where he teaches courses in health policy and health care law and ethics. Carl also serves on the Board of Directors of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Seminar: 10.28.10 / CREOL 102 / 11-12pm / “Optical Ceramics”, Dr. Gaume

Seminar: “Optical Ceramics”, Dr. Gaume
CREOL 102
Thursday, October 28, 2010 / 11:00am-12:00pm

Romain Gaume
Dept of Applied Physics, Stanford University

Abstract:
Optical ceramics have solved recognized and important issues related to
the fabrication of bulk single-crystals. In the last decade, these
materials have been produced in large sizes with optical and mechanical
performance exceeding that of single-crystals. In particular, combined
with the ability to control doping profiles, transparent ceramics offer
new potentials to design efficient and high-power lasers. In this talk,
we will discuss specific aspects of the fabrication of transparent
ceramics for solid-state laser and nuclear detector applications.

Biography:
Romain Gaume received a MS degree in Chemistry in 1999 and a PhD in
Materials Science from Paris University in 2002. He is presently
Research Associate at the Applied Physics Department of Stanford
University. His research interests include laser and scintillator
materials and particularly the fabrication of optical ceramics. He is a
member of the American Ceramic Society.

For More Information:
Dr. Seal
407-823-5277
sseal@mail.ucf.edu
Martin C. Richardson
407-823-6819
mcr@creol.ucf.edu

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Florida's TechVenture 2010

The Florida Technology Journal is hosting the second annual TechVenture program to showcase technologies being developed by Florida's early and second-stage technology companies. TechVenture 2010 will be hosted in Orlando on Friday, December 3rd at the Sonesta Downtown Hotel from 8:00am - 12:30pm.

TechVenture 2010 is currently accepting demonstration applications from early and growth stage companies, allowing them to show their solutions to a room full of industry influencers and peers. To apply, companies must be headquartered in Florida, be privately owned with 1-50 employees and have annual revenues from pre-revenue up to $50 million. Additionally, companies must have proprietary technology and the product or solution must be commercialized, and can be in clinical trials or beta testing stages.

We are currently seeking companies in the following industries to apply: alternative energy, biotech, cleantech, hardware, healthcare IT, digital media, medical device, nanotech, software, web applications and wireless technologies. Link for companies to apply: http://www.floridatechnologyjournal.com/techventure2010-demo-application

*There is no fee for the companies to apply, and no fee if selected to demo at TechVenture 2010. Deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 3rd.

We need your help to make this program a success. We are seeking strategic partners to assist with promotion, and sponsors to help cover the program cost.

Event information: http://www.floridatechnologyjournal.com/tech-venture-2010

My information is below to contact me with any questions you might have.


David C. Glass, Publisher
Florida Technology Journal
1410 N. Westshore Boulevard, Suite 700
Tampa, Florida 33607
Office: 813.830.9500 ext. 301
Mobile: 813.363.0304
E-mail: dglass@floridatechnologyjournal.com
Web: http://www.floridatechnologyjournal.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/floridatechnews


Sunday, October 10, 2010

Finding the Right Paths: How You Really Can Figure Out What DoDWants and Needs

Friday, October 15, 2010

8:30-10:30 AM

University Tower, 12201 Research Parkway,

2nd Floor Conference Room #211, Orlando, FL 32826

Please RSVP to Renee Ayala at rayala@mail.ucf.edu or by calling

407-882-0202 for this NO FEE informative event.

Finding the Right Paths:

How You Really Can Figure Out What DoD Wants and Needs

The Content:

Whether you are already doing business with the Department of Defense or you want do, it can be daunting to figure out HOW to find current, accurate information on WHAT the agency needs that might present an opportunity for your company. This presentation will describe the process by which DoD creates new programs and opportunities through its strategic planning. It will include website links and reviews of the various key references for the Military Services which are detailed, public domain information sources, but that you may not easily find otherwise. Mr. Grow will also cover ways you can maximize visibility and reach when working with the DOD.

The session will offer substantial advice and insight as well as answers to some of your questions. A copy of the presentation, which includes many links and reference material, will be provided. We will also be requesting input from you on topics under consideration for subsequent sessions so we can continue to provide you useful information on doing business with DoD.

The Briefer:

David Grow is the President of the International Test and Evaluation Association's Central Florida Chapter. Dave has worked within the Department of Defense as a Staff Officer within two offices of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, on the Army Secretary's staff, in the office of the Chief of Staff of the Army, on the staff of the Air Force Secretary, and on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. He has served as a strategic planner, a liaison to law enforcement technologists, a gang and graffiti abatement coordinator, and a test director. He is an electronics engineer who has served eight Pentagon tours, 25 years in the DOD, and worked numerous acquisition and contracting actions. Dave's role on the Bradley Live Fire test is actually represented on screen in the film "Pentagon Wars."

ITEA:

The International Test and Evaluation Association's (ITEA) Central Florida Chapter (ITEA-CF) offers:

1) Access to test and evaluation information and representatives to the various professional organizations in the Central Florida region;

2) Assistance in building a bridge between Central Florida small business and the Defense enterprise;

3) Education, awareness, and advancement in the test and evaluation discipline and the overall Defense acquisition discipline through speaking programs, conferences, tutorials, and presentations.

For more information about ITEA, visit the International Association's web site at http://www.itea.org. For information about ITEA-CF, speak with Dave Grow during this event or contact him at dpg22032@gmail.com.

UCFBIP Lunch Connection: Creating & Executing an Online

Creating & Executing an Online Video Strategy

Presenter: J. Brewer, CEO, Teksita Corporation

Date: Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Time: 11:30AM to 1:30PM

Location: UCF Business Incubator-St Cloud
3201 Budinger Ave, St Cloud Fl 34769

Cost: No charge to Incubator Clients; $20 Non-Incubator Clients

RSVP: Email Jessica Filter at jfilter@mail.ucf.edu to reserve a space.

Presentation includes:
* How online video can increase profits
* Video Marketing as a part of your overall strategy
* Attracting and increasing the right audience
* Integrated marketing and online video
* The tools used for online video
* Self produce and self publish
* Measuring the results of online video

Saturday, October 9, 2010

NAVIGATING THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP

Presented by: Johanna Clark and William (Ty) Giltinan, Attorneys at Law, Carlton Fields

This workshop will provide you with strategies for working more effectively with attorneys, including alternative billing arrangements. Topics to be covered include:

  • How to Hire an Attorney
  • Alternative Billing Arrangements
  • Management of Legal Projects
  • Management of Risk

Date: Tuesday, October 26, 2010; 11:30AM to 1:00PM

Location: UCF Business Incubator--Winter Springs 1511 E. SR 434, Suite 2001, Winter Springs, FL 32708

Cost: Complimentary for Incubator Clients; $20 All Others

To reserve a space, please email rcaamano@mail.ucf.edu

William (Ty) Giltinan, Associate. Prior to entering law school, Ty Giltinan spent more than a decade as an engineer and entrepreneur in software and
Internet companies. As both a founder and an executive, he has helped develop startup technology companies and lead them to prominent market positions and through acquisitions by companies including large telecom providers. He is a licensed patent attorney whose practice covers patent, trademark and copyright prosecution and litigation matters, with a focus on assisting high technology companies develop, protect, monetize and defend intellectual property assets.

Johanna Clark, Shareholder. Johanna Clark has over 10 years experience in civil litigation, mediation and negotiation of disputes. She has represented national and international insurance companies in cases throughout Florida in both state and federal court. Ms. Clark has experience in bad faith litigation; ERISA disability litigation; product liability litigation; general commercial
litigation; and administrative housing discrimination claims. l She also has experience in the defense of companies in class action litigation

Friday, October 8, 2010

Health Care Reform (HR 3590): How it Does and Will Effect You

Title: Health Care Reform (HR 3590): How it Does and Will Effect You

Presenters: Carl Patten, director, health care policy at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida in Jacksonville, Florida.

Date: Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

Time: 11:30-1:00

Location: University Tower Building located at 12201 Research Parkway,

2nd Floor large conference room #211, Orlando, FL., 32826

Fee: $20 Lunch included (Free to only UCF Incubator clients and Florida Photonics Cluster members)

RSVP to Renee Ayala at 407-882-0202 or via email rayala@mail.ucf.edu

Health Care Reform (HR 3590): How It Does and Will Effect You

Many say small businesses will be big winners under health care reform but some entrepreneurs and the organizations that represent them say the only thing big about the new law will be the problems and taxes that come with it. The one thing we are certain of is there is considerable confusion about it all. So what are the facts?

Although some of the changes are already taking place, most of them are yet to come. Join us to benefit from Mr. Patten's expert insights as he provides:

· An overview of the legislation,

· An explanation of the implementation process and the complexities involved, and

· A description of potential impacts to employers.

It is important to understand how this historic legislation to address some of the core problems in healthcare (cost, access and quality) will impact you and your business.

Carl W. Patten, Jr., JD, MPH

Carl Patten is director, health care policy at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. Carl oversees the process of aligning BCBSF's public policy positions with its mission and strategy. He is also responsible for informing internal and external key stakeholders about a range of public policy issues. Carl is a graduate of Claremont McKenna College, the University of Chicago Law School and the Harvard School of Public Health. Carl also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of North Florida where he teaches courses in health policy and health care law and ethics. Carl also serves on the Board of Directors of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

1st Annual Florida Companies to Watch


Putting Second-Stage First
Florida Companies to Watch Awards Celebration
Recognizes Companies that Create Growth and Foster Innovation

Applications Accepted Until October 8

ORLANDO, Fla. (October 4, 2010) – The future of Florida's economy will likely be shaped by an elite group of privately owned companies recognized in the first annual Florida Companies to Watch awards program scheduled for February 17, 2011 in Orlando. This statewide event lauds the success of business leaders who have taken their operations to the "second-stage" of growth and hold the potential to continue to create new jobs in their communities and industries, thereby making a difference in regional communities.

Florida Companies to Watch is presented by GrowFL, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida and ACG Florida, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation. Additional sponsors for the event include the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, Florida Business Incubation Association and the University of Central Florida.

Since its inception in 2005, Companies to Watch has evolved from an event in a single state to a recognition program with national scope. Created by the Edward Lowe Foundation, CTW celebrates high performing, second-stage companies (those beyond the startup phase with the intent and capacity for significant, sustainable growth) that demonstrate high performance in the marketplace, exhibit innovative products or processes, or otherwise make those companies “worth watching.” Debuting in Michigan, Companies to Watch is being conducted across the country.

"Many second-stage businesses fly under the radar screen of typical awards programs," notes Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute and associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization. "These companies are quietly yet steadily creating jobs and improving the quality of life in their communities."

Companies in all industries are invited to apply by October 8, 2010. Complete award criteria and detailed information is available at the official web site www.florida.companiestowatch.org.

The economic impact these companies generate is significant. According to data obtained from 1993-2007 second-stage companies represented about 11 percent of U.S. establishments, but generated 35.7 percent of the nation’s jobs. (source YourEconomy.org). What’s more, second-stage companies are introducing new products, services and technologies that give the United States a competitive in the global arena. Because second-stage companies aren’t relegated to a single industry, CTW differs from other award programs and showcases a diverse group of businesses that reflect the economic makeup of the state.

“Companies to Watch takes a whole-business approach, identifying companies across the state that represent Florida’s future, not just major metropolitan areas,” says Dr. O’Neal. “It shows the economic potential of the entire state as demonstrated by the successes of second-stage companies. Being selected for the Florida Companies to Watch awards program provides growing businesses the credibility and recognition that distinguish them among their competitors. Our new partnership with ACG Florida provides the opportunity to raise the profile of selected companies among the statewide corporate community. All second-stage companies are encouraged to apply.”

-MORE-

COMPANIES TO WATCH -- ADD TWO

Like partners of other statewide Companies to Watch programs, ACG recognized the importance of giving innovative entrepreneurs a day in the sun, showcasing the power of growing companies in Florida’s backyard.

One sponsor of the Indiana Companies to Watch program utilized the partnership with ACG to connect with winning companies in providing their business support services. “Indiana Companies to Watch gives us a direct conduit in which to approach potential clients and make them aware of us," said David W. Amick, executive director at Premier Capital Corp. in Indianapolis.

To be eligible for the award, a company must be a privately held, commercial enterprise that is currently in a stage of growth and past the start-up phase. Qualifying companies must also be headquartered in the state of Florida, employ between six and 99 employees, and have between $750,000 and $50 million in annual revenue. Again, companies in all industries are invited to apply by October 8.

A selection panel of judges representing areas of economic development, banking, entrepreneurship and small business look for evidence of fast and/or high growth in employment rates and revenue. In addition, Florida Companies to Watch award recipients also demonstrate special strengths and traits that stand out from the competition including entrepreneurial leadership, product innovation, social/community responsibility and competitive business practices.

In addition to the recognition of being named a Florida Companies to Watch award winner, companies have the opportunity to participate in a leaders retreat attended by former Companies to Watch award recipients from other states at the Edward Lowe Foundation’s Big Rock Valley retreat facility in southwestern Michigan.

For additional information, visit www.CompaniestoWatch.org or email FloridaCTW@lowe.org or contact Lynn Aitken at 407-823-6384.

About the Edward Lowe Foundation

Established in 1985, the Edward Lowe Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship through research, recognition and educational programs, which are delivered through entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs). The foundation focuses on second-stage companies—those that have moved beyond the start-up phase and seek significant, steady growth. For more information, visit www.EdwardLowe.org.

About the Florida Economic Gardening Institute

The Florida Economic Gardening Institute was created by the 2009 Florida Legislature as the Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Program to stimulate investment in Florida’s economy by providing technical assistance for expanding businesses in the state. Qualified companies must be engaged in the following sectors to receive no-cost technical assistance: Manufacturing; Finance & Insurance Services; Wholesale Trade; Information Industries; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Management Services; and, Administrative & Support Services. Additional information is available at www.GrowFL.com.

About ACG

ACG Florida is a statewide collaborative effort by the four Florida chapters of the Association for Corporate Growth - Orlando, North Florida, South Florida and Tampa Bay. The Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) is the global community for middle market M&A dealmakers and business leaders focused on driving growth. ACG members have access to data, content and networking to access capital, make deals and drive corporate growth. Founded in 1954, ACG has grown to more than 13,000 members organized in 55 chapters throughout North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.acg.org

# # #