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NURTURING
TOMORROW’S BUSINESS IDEAS
TODAY
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CONTENTS 3
Letter from the President
4
About Alabama Launchpad
5
Accomplishments
6
Nurturing Innovation: How Launchpad Works
7
Launchpad Impact
8
Business Plan Competition Winners
11
Where Are They Now?
12
2009 Reviewers, Judges, and Mentors
13
The Alabama Technology Database
17
Sponsors
18
Management
19
Get Involved
3 building an innovation economy through collaboration and entrepreneurship
From the President Dear Believers in Alabama Launchpad, Alabama Launchpad is four years old. Now that we are walking, we see that each small step Launchpad takes is a big step for entrepreneurship in Alabama. And, the Launchpad alumni are now walking alongside us. Many alumni have taken giant steps to build a pipeline of successful start-up companies in Alabama. These alumni have already created 26 full time jobs, and nearly 50 parttime jobs. Our alumni have raised over $8 million in funding, leveraging the $525,000 in prize monies that we have awarded to date 15 times for every Launchpad dollar. And some of our alumni have begun posting revenue. Launchpad alumni are increasing Alabama’s supply of entrepreneurs, creating jobs, and building a more diverse economy for the future of Alabama. As a young organization, Alabama Launchpad is still developing and learning. Nevertheless, we are confident we understand that entrepreneurs who enter the competition need more support before they get to us, and more access to resources after they leave us. Many come to us too soon. Many leave us and operate in communities that do not have a functional incubator, an angel network, or an organized support system. Alone, Launchpad cannot address all the gaps in Alabama’s commercialization infrastructure. Going forward, our leadership will continue to partner with organizations willing to align resources to build a more robust infrastructure to support Alabama entrepreneurs. The Launchpad Board recognizes that our programs meet only a small subset of the needs of entrepreneurs, and that the needs we meet are important. To continue to meet these needs, our 2010 priority will be sustainability of our current programs. As we develop strategies for the future, our founding tenets will guide each step forward: UÊÊ / iÊÜ À Ê vÊ >Õ V «>`Ê ÕÃÌÊV ÌÀ LÕÌiÊÌ ÊÌ iÊ } ÌiÀ ÊiV VÊ i> Ì Ê vÊÌ iÊÃÌ>Ìi°ÊÊ UÊÊÊ ÀiÊÌ > Ê > vÊÌ iÊÀià ÕÀViÃÊ vÊ >Õ V «>`ÊÜ Ê> Ü>ÞÃÊ} ÊÌ ÊÌ iÊi ÌÀi«Ài iÕÀÃ°Ê UÊÊÊ >Õ V «>`Ê«>ÀÌ iÀÃÊ ÕÃÌÊV >L À>ÌiÊ> `ÊLiÊÜ }ÊÌ ÊÌÀ>Ûi Ê ÕÌà `iÊÌ i ÀÊ Ü ÊV Õ ÌÞÊÌ Ê i «Ê> Ê entrepreneur. UÊÊÊ / Êi ÌiÀÊÌ iÊV «iÌ Ì ]Ê >Õ V «>`Êi ÌÀi«Ài iÕÀÃÊ ÕÃÌÊ >ÛiÊ>Ê«iÀÃ Ê ÊÌ i ÀÊÌi> ÊÜ Ê ÃÊ>vw >Ìi`ÊÜ Ì Ê iÊ of our university partners. UÊÊÊ ÌÀi«Ài iÕÀÃÊ ÕÃÌÊ` ÃV « iÊÌ i Ãi ÛiÃÊÌ ÊÜÀ ÌiÊ>ÊLÕà iÃÃÊ« > ÊÌ Ê >ÛiÊ>VViÃÃÊÌ Ê>Ê >Õ V «>`ÊÀià ÕÀVi° UÊÊÊ >Õ V «>`ÊÜ Ê >ÛiÊÌÀ> ë>Ài ÌÊÛiÌÌ }Ê«À ViÃÃiÃÊv ÀÊ` ÃÌÀ LÕÌ Ê vÊÀià ÕÀVið UÊÊÊ >Õ V «>`ÊÜ ÊLiÊ>Ê} `ÊÃÌiÜ>À`Ê vÊÀià ÕÀViÃÊ` >Ìi`ÊÌ ÊÌ iÊ À}> â>Ì ° We are very grateful to the many partners who are helping Launchpad mature and grow. With your continued support, we will all watch entrepreneurship grow. We will be successful building a sustainable future for Alabama Launchpad, and more importantly, for entrepreneurship and job creation in Alabama, if we continue to work together.
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KEY PROGRAMS
8
Alabama Launchpad Business Plan Competition (see page 8 for more information)
This statewide annual business plan competition is designed to increase the pipeline of highgrowth start-up companies and to foster support for entrepreneurs in Alabama. The competition provides seed capital to three early-stage businesses while also providing Alabama’s entrepreneurs with the opportunity to connect with and learn from the state’s business leaders.
About Alabama Launchpad Alabama Launchpad is a non-profit, public-private partnership formed in 2006 by several of the state’s research universities and Alabama’s business community to support and encourage high-growth entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship education, innovation, and commercialization. Current partners include: Alabama A&M University Alabama State University Auburn University The University of Alabama University of Alabama at Birmingham University of Alabama in Huntsville University of South Alabama Economic Development Partnership of Alabama* Foundation *The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama is a privately funded economic development organization supported by 68 leading companies in the state that are dedicated to promoting quality economic growth in Alabama.
Alabama Launchpad’s annual budget Prize Money
60%
Administrative
32%
Awards Event
3%
Marketing & Media
5%
The Alabama Technology Database
60% of funds toward prizes
(see page 13 for more information)
This web-based resource provides summaries and contact information for 169 technologies available for commercialization and licensing from academic institutions and federal research facilities based in Alabama.
A Good Steward Alabama Launchpad gives more than 60 cents of every dollar directly to the winning entrepreneurs. Alabama Launchpad sponsors like the lean overhead structure and the growing base of volunteers. Sponsors know that their money makes a difference to the young, high-growth companies that will shape Alabama’s future.
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Accomplishments Since its founding, Alabama Launchpad has:
Provided guidance and mentoring to over 130 teams that wrote a business plan and entered the annual competiton Built a network of experienced entrepreneurs, investors and service professionals willing to donate time and provide feedback to Launchpad teams Funded nine start-up companies with non-dilutive cash prizes totaling $525,000 Established the Alabama Technology Database, a web portal for marketing Alabama inventions to the world, which showcased 169 technologies Organized educational and networking events for entrepreneurs, university officials, government and business leaders
Plus, Alabama Launchpad alumni have raised significant follow-on mo money: oney:
Over $8 million $ $5 5 million off th this his came ffrom Al Alabama abama b iinvestors. nvestors. The remainder came from out of state. More local funding options will keep these start-up companies and follow-on money at home in Alabama.
The leaders of Alabama Launchpad are growing entrepreneurial talent in Alabama. Building a broad network of support for entrepreneurs in Alabama is one of the most important steps we can take today to produce Alabama’s jobs for tomorrow. When we collaborate across geographies for the future of the state, Alabama wins. GOVERNOR BOB RILEY Governor, State of Alabama
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Nurturing Innovation Alabama Launchpad helps fill an important gap in building a pipeline of potentially fundable companies. The Birmingham Technology Fund, which we manage, has invested in one of the previous finalists and has active discussions underway with two other such companies.
A seed sprouts… An inventor with a new idea files for a patent, conducts proof of concept, and enters the business plan competition.
…and is nurtured by Alabama Launchpad… The Launchpad business community volunteer network offers market, financial and legal advice to the inventor, who often is solely focused on the science or technology.
…to become a marketready innovation. DR. LAWRENCE GREER
Senior Managing Partner, Greer Partner Advisor
After completing the business plan competition, an Alabama Launchpad Certified Innovation is primed for early-stage investors.
7 building an innovation economy through collaboration and entrepreneurship
Additional economic impact within the state includes:
49 26
Creation of Warren, Averett, Kimbrough & Marino is proud to support Alabama Launchpad as a corporate sponsor. We are even more proud to have been given the privilege of mentoring Second Place winner Spectrum PhenomX during Alabama Launchpad’s 2009 business plan competition! Participating as a mentor allowed Warren Averett’s mentor team to work with an earlystage business idea and experience how a technology-based company is formed from the concept stage, an opportunity not often experienced by many professionals.
part-time jobs
full-time jobs
73%
of competition alumni said their submission was the first business plan they attempted to write.
CECIL BOSTANY
Warren, Averett, Kimbrough and Marino, LLC
94%
said they would recommend Alabama Launchpad to a friend or colleague.
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Business Plan Competition 2009 UÊÎÈÊÌi> ÃÊV «iÌi`Ê UÊ/iV } iÃÊ V Õ`i`\ » advanced materials » biotech and pharmaceutical » consumer products » food science » education » manufacturing and more UÊ > iÊ i `Ê Ê «À Ê£n]Ê 2009 at UAB
Drs. Barry Andrews, Uday Vaidya, Selvum Pillay and School of Engineering Dean Linda Lucas showing off samples of their composite material. PHOTO: UAB Reporter
GRAND PRIZE WINNER » $100,000
Innovative Composite Solutions UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
Innovative Composite Solutions specializes in the design, development and manufacture of high-end thermoplastic composite components for the military, aerospace, mass transit and other high demand industry sectors. A thermoplastic composite material is a lightweight, recyclable, heat-reversible and fiber-reinforced plastic. The company provides turnkey solutions for the replacement of metal components and structures in applications that demand improved performance.
9 building an innovation economy through collaboration and entrepreneurship
SECOND PRIZE WINNER » $50,000
Spectrum PhenomX UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM / UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Spectrum PhenomX develops and applies highthroughput phenotyping techniques to streamline the analysis of complex genetic diseases, such as cancer and obesity. These techniques provide a quantitative and genomic assessment of how variant genes can change activities of cellular pathways that can trigger specific disease processes. The company is led by Dr. John Hartman, Assistant Professor of Genetics at UAB.
Dr. John Hartman of Spectrum PhenomX.
PHOTO:
THIRD PRIZE WINNER » $25,000
Direct Injection Flat Head Engine Company THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
DIFH engines offer a patent-pending alternative to current carburetorbased and direct injection small engines. DIFH Engine Company’s technology gives small engine companies a way to increase the efficiency of their engines and address reduced emissions mandates. The company is led by Mr. David Holt, a current Master of Engineering and Juris Doctorate student at UA.
UAB Reporter
Alabama Launchpad is a vital component of Alabama’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Competition for seed funding is key to developing high growth potential, technology businesses. The independent review and feedback provided by the business plan competition really helps entrepreneurs refine their business proposal and makes them more attractive when they approach investors and apply to become a part of a business incubation program.
SUSAN MATLOCK Dr. Scott Spear, Chris Cater, and David Holt.
President and CEO of Innovation Depot
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Business Plan Competition 2009 NON-PLACING FINALISTS
BioLinx Every new company starts with an idea. Alabama Launchpad provides fertile soil for new ideas to sprout and flourish. It serves a critical role for Alabama entrepreneurs.
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
The team is led by Ms. Connie Zhang, a current Master of Business Administration student at UA. Biolinx uses a UAB developed technology to develop multidrug multiligand (MDML) conjugates that will improve the efficacy of delivering drugs to their sites of action. This process will allow more of a particular drug to act before it is metabolized by the body.
Keep The Story THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
DR. GARY YORK
serial entrepreneur
The company is led by Ms. Dannielle Branam. Also on the team is Mr. Mark Greene, a current student at UA. KeeptheStory.com will be a specialized online journal with features designed to help busy parents preserve family memories as quickly as possible, so they can capture stories that might otherwise be lost. It will bundle existing technologies to break this job into smaller chunks, make it fun, and allow it to fit into a busy lifestyle.
Non-Crystalline Cellulose Inc. AUBURN UNIVERSITY
The team is led by Dr. Paul Swamidass, a professor at the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering at Auburn University. The company plans to produce an alternative to micro-crystalline cellulose, a compound currently used as a fatreplacer in food to help with weight loss and as an approved filler in drugs. This non-crystalline cellulose produced by an Auburn University patent-pending process
is better in quality and less expensive than compounds currently used by the food and pharmaceutical industries.
TEGTEC UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE
The team is led by Mr. Charles Andrus, a current Master of Business Administration student at UAH. TEGTEC has developed manufacturing techniques that integrate new materials into micro devices that scavenge energy from low level heat sources, such as body heat. There are many potential applications for this technology, including medical devices that can be implanted into the body and powered by body heat. TEGTEC holds provisional patent protection for a combination of materials and fabrication techniques that will improve thermoelectric device efficiency by as much as ten times over current offerings.
ThoughtWright AUBURN UNIVERSITY
The company is led by Mr. Mario Moore. Also on the team is Mr. Ben Wyrosdick, a recent graduate of the Auburn University Bachelor of Software Engineering Program. ThoughtWright has developed GradesFirst, a student performance monitoring system that helps colleges and universities retain more students by identifying and engaging at-risk students early within their academic careers. This student success leads to happier students, better grades, and a higher student retention rate which, in turn, leads to increases in revenues, graduation rates, and in a growing number of cases, state government funding.
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Alumni of Alabama Launchpad’s Business Plan Competition have capitalized on the competition’s awards and achieved impressive success. SECOND PLACE » 2008
SEA Desalination
SECOND PLACE » 2007
Halo Monitoring
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE
SEA Desalination has developed a sun-powered desalination technology that removes salt from seawater or high mineral concentrations from ground water, without the need for electricity. Since the competition, SEA has doubled the output capacity of their original product and added two new desalination systems, one of which is designed for sailboats and the other for developing nations and disaster recovery. The company is now moving toward general market release of all of their solar desalination products. SEA Desalination is currently incubated at the Bama Technology Incubator at The University of Alabama
Halo Monitoring is a consumer healthcare company offering seniors innovative alternatives to traditional “panic buttons”. Halo’s system provides a wearable automatic fall detection device that eliminates the need for a senior to press a button. Since the competition, Halo has raised a total of $2.5 million in investment funding from The Huntsville Angel Network, Greer Capital Advisors, and Jemison Investment Company and increased its staff to 12 employees. A Series C financing round is planned for the 1st Quarter, 2010. Halo has now expanded to five active distribution partners with availability in five states and recently executed a trial vendor partnership agreement with Best Buy. Halo is incubated at BizTech in Huntsville.
THIRD PRIZE » 2008
SSS Optical Technologies UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE
SSS Optical Technologies (SSSOT) has developed a sensor to monitor ammonia in animal feeding operations that is easier to install, easier to maintain, and provides long-term cost savings versus present methods. The company is now preparing for the first significant promotional push of its sensor to the poultry industry in January 2010. SSSOT is also working on a breath ammonia sensing application for the medical device industry, and is moving rapidly to bring this product to market. SSSOT is incubated at BizTech in Huntsville. GRAND PRIZE » 2007
OcuMedic AUBURN UNIVERSITY
OcuMedic is an ophthalmic drug delivery company based in Auburn, Alabama. During the past year, OcuMedic has filed two additional patents and is pursuing patent protection in a number of countries. They are currently working on animal studies and in-vitro/in-vivo validation as well as conducting research and development on a number of fronts for an international eye care company.
THIRD PLACE » 2007
Prodigy Biosystems UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE
Prodigy Biosystems (formerly IntelCell) is building an instrument known as the InQ (pronounced “ink”) which revolutionizes traditional cell culture methods such as the Petri dish. The InQ is an advanced cell and tissue research system that gives researchers more control over their experiments and allows them to mimic conditions found within the human body while providing real-time feedback of all experimental conditions and publicationgrade images and video. Since the competition, Prodigy has raised $1.25 million from the Huntsville Angel Network and has built several prototypes of the InQ currently being used in neurological and stem cell research. Prodigy is currently raising its second round of investment and will launch the InQ in first half 2010. Prodigy is incubated at BizTech in Huntsville.
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2009 Reviewers, Judges, and Mentors Thanks to the volunteers of this past year who gave so many hours of their time.
I am certain that many innovation inspired companies of Alabama will be seeded by Alabama Launchpad. There is no greater fuel to a young company’s engine than to be well introduced. Alabama Launchpad is that spark and combustion. Thank you for your program and its successes.
GREGORY GRICE
Hancock Horizon Investments
PHASE I REVIEWERS: Peter Beucher: Former Entrepreneur-inResidence, BizTech Devon Laney: Chief Operations Officer, Innovation Depot Susan Matlock: President & CEO, Innovation Depot Dick Reeves: Former President & CEO, BizTech, Executive Director, Huntsville Angel Network PHASE II REVIEWERS: Doug Grove: Former Director of Business Development, Vaxin Inc. Dr. Franz Lohrke: Chair, Department of Entrepreneurship, Management & Marketing, Brock School of Business, Samford University Bo Megginson: Vice President of Sales, Apogee Capital Curtis Palmer: CEO, ComplyMD Jonathan Sides: Chief Financial Officer, DAXKO Software Greg Spivey: Senior Managing Consultant, IBM Global Business Services PHASE III JUDGES Alan Dean: Managing Partner at Greer Capital Advisors, LLC Bob Higgins: Vice President of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance and Director of the Baldwin County Business Incubator Dr. Danny Lewis: Former President & CEO of EGEN, Inc. George Myers: Principal at EquiFinalityCo and Vice President of Founders Investment Banking, LLC Lionel Tehini: CEO of Acuitec, Inc. PHASE IV FINALE JUDGES Greg Grice: Assistant Vice President, Hancock Horizon Investments Andre McFadden: CEO, Marnoel Company
Dr. Arthur Tipton: Vice President, SurModics, Inc. and President, SurModics Pharmaceuticals Lisa Williams: Founder and Former President, 3D Research Dr. Gary York: Technology Entrepreneur MENTORS: Mike Baker and Trey Whitt: Dent, Baker & Company, LLP Alane Barnes: BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Matt Barnes: Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz P.C. Harrison Bishop et al: Maynard, Cooper & Gale P.C. Denise Browning: Browning, Mecke & O’Neal, LLC Cecil Bostany et al: Warren, Averett, Kimbrough & Marino, LLC James Childs and Jonathan Kipp: Bradley, Arant, Boult, Cummings, LLP Robert Crutchfield: Harbert Venture Partners Drew Deaton: MedMined (a division of Cardinal Health Corporation) Gene Fuller: RemTech Jean-Denis Giraudet: Nektar Pharmaceuticals Jon Holland: Thomas, Kayden Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP Duncan Lamb: Serial Entrepreneur Daniel Markstein et al: Markstein Consulting, LLC Bill McKinnon: Capitalytics Vicki Morgan: New Perspectives, Inc. Trudy Phillips: File Management, LLC and Central Alabama Women’s Business Center Brian Rabon: Braintrust Software, LLC India Vincent et al: Burr & Forman LLP
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The Alabama Technology Database Too often innovative technologies never make it to market because they simply don’t get the exposure they need to attract attention within a global marketplace.
CASE STUDY The strategy of seeking potential licensees for Alabama technologies by listing searchable non-confidential descriptions in the Alabama Technology Database has shown early promise. The University of South Alabama (USA) was contacted by a mid-size biotech firm within six months of listing a technology in the database. While USA remains in negotiations with the original contact, they have leveraged the database hit and conducted additional research to identify and contact similar companies who may also be interested in the technology. In addition to promotion through the database, Alabama Launchpad promotes Alabama technologies at national conferences. In October 2008, representatives from Alabama Launchpad, EDPA and five partners attended the 2008 U.S. Licensing Executives Society annual conference to promote Alabama technologies.
The Alabama Technology Database enables Alabama innovators to market their technologies across the globe, increasing the chances that technologies developed in Alabama will be commercialized and/or licensed. The database provides one-stop shopping to find summaries and contact information for technologies available from academic institutions and federal research facilities in Alabama. Alabama Launchpad established this intellectual property database in 2008 through a partnership with the founders of InvenioIP—a webbased resource developed by the University of Maryland. Currently, 169 Alabama technologies can be accessed through the database on the Alabama Launchpad website, as well as on the InvenioIP website, which includes more than 2,700 technologies nationally. With the help of our partners, we plan to grow the database and make it available through additional online platforms, creating better visibility for these Alabama technologies. To add a technology to the database, please contact Glenn Kinstler at gkinstler@edpa.org
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The Alabama Technology Database I enjoyed being a judge of the finale! It was clear that teams had benefited from the positive mentorship and input at each stage of the Alabama Launchpad process. And that groups from around the state had solid ideas complemented with teams ready to execute. Young companies with great ideas—a large part of the positive roadmap for our state.
Featured technologies listed in the
database from our partnering organizations include: ORGANIZATION
NUMBER OF TECHNOLOGIES
U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center Auburn University
10 45
Southern Research Institute
8
The University of Alabama
20
University of Alabama at Birmingham
60
University of Alabama in Huntsville
21
University of South Alabama
5
University of Alabama in Huntsville
University of South Alabama
TECHNOLOGY:
TECHNOLOGY:
Compositions Comprising Nitric Oxide or Nitric Oxide Donors for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases or Trauma
Composition and Methods for Isolating Actively Translated mRNA’s SUMMARY:
SUMMARY:
DR. ARTHUR TIPTON
President, SurModics Pharmaceuticals
Researchers at UAH have developed compositions which can be used for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disease or trauma. The compositions provide to cells in the human or mammal an amount of nitric oxide that induces in the cells an adaptive resistance to high levels of nitric oxide which are destructive and which are associated with diseases of the Central Nervous System, inter alia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis (MS).
A novel method of isolating activelytranslated polysome bound mRNA’s from a small number of cancer cells so that they can be used for high throughput gene expression analysis to discover potentially translational regulated genes related to tumor development. The method uses molecular chaperones as a means to separate actively translated mRNAs associated with polysomes from free mRNAs using newly developed affinity antibody capture beads for selected chaperones.
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Auburn University
Southern Research Institute
TECHNOLOGY:
TECHNOLOGY:
Thin Film Nanocomposites of Carbon Nanotubes & Biomaterials
Anti-Bacterial Inhibitors of FtsZ SUMMARY:
SUMMARY:
There has been growing concern about the role of contaminated public surfaces in the spread of infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), staph and C. difficile. Researchers at Auburn University have produced coatings that combine the strength of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with the antimicrobial activity of lysozyme (LSZ). These coatings could be applied to a variety of surfaces, such as computer keyboards, hospital beds or exercise equipment, in such a way as to provide long lasting antimicrobial protection. Lab-scale testing has demonstrated strong surfaces capable of killing Staphylococcus aureus on contact.
The development of resistance to antibacterial agents is a significant threat to the ability to treat diseases. As organisms develop resistance, new antibacterial agents are required. Ideally, these agents selectively target the physiology of the organism yet allow for action against a broad spectrum of organisms. These novel compounds function by inhibiting bacterial cell growth in vitro and in vivo through interference with FtsZ activity. FtsZ, a protein that is widely found in bacteria, plays a central role in cell division making it an attractive target for anti-bacterial agents. The compounds have a broad range of anti-bacterial activity and may be used to target gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria as well as bacteria that are non-gram test responsive. These compounds have demonstrated efficacy against antibioticresistant strains of M. tuberculosis, Escherichia, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus.
Bringing Fortune 500 companies such as ThyssenKrupp and Mercedes-Benz to the state receives the majority of the economic headlines, but equally as important to the long-term health of the state is to nurture home grown talent and ideas that become the major companies of tomorrow. Alabama Launchpad is identifying those companies and, in doing so, helping to create the future economic engines of the state.
ANDRE MCFADDEN
President, Marnoel Company, LLC
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The Alabama Technology Database continued The Alabama Launchpad business plan competition has played an important role in both enhancing and expanding an entrepreneurial culture among faculty, staff, and students on The University of Alabama campus. The competition has provided a real-life experience for training and mentoring young entrepreneurs for future leadership roles in business. Alabama Launchpad has also proven to be an effective vetting process for selection of University earlystage technologies for business plan development and new venture creation.
Army AMRDEC Command TECHNOLOGY:
Swashplate Seal Assembly for a Rotor Shaft Assembly SUMMARY:
The swashplate seal assembly is sized to encircle a rotor shaft to allow rotor shaft rotation therein. The seal assembly includes multiple layers and rings which function together to minimize intrusion of environmental contaminants along the rotor shaft before, during, and after shaft rotation. The assembly could cover rotor bearing units utilized on aircraft. Another application would be as an adjustable, inspectable seal assembly within the interface between a rotating shaft and a non-rotating support assembly utilized in industrial machines. The swashplate seal assembly is capable of being increased or reduced in dimensions in order to function in conjunction with a variety of sizes of rotor shaft assemblies utilized in the aviation industry and selected industrial production facilities. The multiple segments of the outer portions of the swashplate seal assembly provide for efficient assembly for operation, and for rapid disassembly, either partial or full, to allow for inspection of interior segments.
The University of Alabama DR. JOE BENSON
TECHNOLOGY:
Vice President for Research, The University of Alabama
FreezePruf® SUMMARY:
FreezePruf® is a non-toxic spray that improves a plant’s natural cold tolerance up to 9.4 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the species. Developed by botanists, FreezePruf® protects the plant externally and systemically (throughout the plant)
by enhancing both its natural “antifreeze”-like properties and its ability to survive ice crystal damage. By applying FreezePruf® one can extend the growing season and minimize damages, be it on fruit and vegetable plants or home gardens. Because FreezePruf® enhances a plant’s ability to tolerate internal ice crystal formations it is also a “Zone extender” that adds one third to almost a full USDA Zone equivalent to the cold hardiness rating of all plants. Finally, all ingredients in FreezePruf® are currently in food or used to grow fruits and vegetables so there are absolutely no toxicity issues and the product is fully biodegradable.
University of Alabama at Birmingham TECHNOLOGY:
Method for Treating High Grade Gliomas SUMMARY:
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have developed a novel treatment for high grade glial derived tumors using known inhibitors of the cystine-glutamate exchange and transport system. High grade gliomas are one of the most aggressively malignant cancers. Researchers at UAB have determined that unlike normal brain cells, these cancer cells rely solely on the Na+ - independent glutamate transport system, system Xc, for the uptake of cystine which is necessary to maintain their increased metabolism. Advantages include the inhibition of tumor cell growth and eventual apoptosis of tumor cells using compounds which specifically block the uptake of cystine. The consequential release of glutathione in tumor cells is an attractive target that has virtually no negative impact on the function of nontransformed cells.
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For over 20 years, the Birmingham Venture Club has been an association of business professionals with the sole mission of increasing the amount and quality of venture capital-related activities in the Birmingham area. The mission of the Alabama Launchpad, and specifically its Business Plan Competition, fulfills our own mission perfectly: it promotes and rewards innovative ventures that can grow rapidly and that can add exciting new companies that boost Alabama’s economy. We are proud to have played a part in making the competition happen this year and we look forward to future competitions and to following the success of the competitions’ participants.
Sponsors PLATINUM LEVEL: $25,000 AND UP
BRONZE LEVEL: $2,500 AND UP
Alabama Power Company Foundation
City of Auburn
Alabama Research Alliance*
Innovation Depot
Economic Development Partnership of Alabama Foundation
Kinetic Communications* Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. Southern Research Institute
GOLD LEVEL: $10,000 AND UP Vulcan Materials Company*
SILVER LEVEL: $5,000 AND UP Alagasco
Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP The University of Alabama Office for Technology Transfer* Warren, Averett, Kimbrough & Marino, LLC*
AT&T Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP*
CONTRIBUTORS(UP TO $2,500 AND IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS):
Burr & Forman LLP
21 Ventures, LLC
EBSCO Industries
New Horizons Computer Learning Centers
Greer Capital Advisors, LLC Harbert Management Corporation* HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology Metropolitan Development Board
Palo Alto Software
2009 FINALE SPONSORS: Birmingham Venture Club » $5,000 Burr & Forman LLP » $1,000 Warren, Averett, Kimbrough & Marino, LLC » $1,000
W. BARRY MCRAE
President, Birmingham Venture Club
* Indicates new for 2009
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Management Everyone participating in the Alabama Launchpad competition is already a winner because they are following their dreams of entrepreneurship. The Alabama Launchpad program is about helping those entrepreneurs succeed with their dreams by providing invaluable resources of mentorship and lessons learned from a diverse group of CEOs and professionals from all over the State of Alabama.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. Douglas Ayers (Board Chairman) Associate Professor of Marketing and Director, MBA Programs, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Business Greg Barker Vice President for Economic Development, Alabama Power Company Dr. Bernadette Chapple Research Director, Center for Leadership and Public Policy, Alabama State University Dr. Daniel Daly Director, Alabama Innovation and Mentoring of Entrepreneurs Center, The University of Alabama
and former President and CEO of 3D Research in Huntsville
Director: Glenn Kinstler Secretary: Sidney Hoover House Counsel, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama Treasurer: David Brown CFO, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama
Angela Wier Vice President, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP OF ALABAMA Angela Wier Vice President 205.943.4778 phone awier@edpa.org
Dr. David Ketchen Lowder Eminent Scholar and Professor of Management, Auburn University College of Business
Glenn Kinstler Director, Alabama Launchpad 205.943.4709 phone gkinstler@edpa.org
Dr. Teresa Merriweather Orok Vice President for Institutional Research, Planning and Sponsored Programs, Alabama A&M University
LISA WILLIAMS Founder
OFFICERS President: Angela Wier Vice President, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama
Dr. Brent Wren Chairman, Department of Management and Marketing, University of Alabama in Huntsville College of Business Administration
19 building an innovation economy through collaboration and entrepreneurship
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