GSA Technology Council

William Gibson said it best – “The future is already here. It’s just not very evenly distributed.” One of the places we gather each year to see what tomorrow’s tech has to bring is Innoventure. The annual Innoventure conference brings hot technologies, companies, entrepreneurs, and top notch speakers to the upstate for a one of a kind event that is quite probably the upstate’s best annual glimpse of the future.

What does that have to do with us? Or more importantly, what does that have to do with you? In a special arrangement with Innoventure, we have a single full admission ticket to give away to this year’s Innoventure conference. How do you win such a coveted prize? It’s easy, we’ll be giving it away at our March 14, 2007 meeting featuring Bob DeGarmo. To win, you must attend the meeting and put your business card (or a facsimile) in the fish bowl. We’ll be giving away a ticket to Innoventure, along with our regular fabulous door prizes, at the end of the meeting.

By the way, the ticket is good for full admission to both days of the event. That’s all the sessions and all of the presenting companies you can see. It’s two full days of the future of tech brought to the Palmetto Expo Center, and some lucky soul will get in for free. (That is a $400 value.)

If you can’t stand the tension, trot on over to the Innoventure website and buy your ticket before they sell out. (They sell out every year.) If you want to take your chances and see a great presentation by Bob DeGarmo, then join us on March 14. Our golden ticket to tomorrow might be yours.

InnoVenture 2007, an annual conference of innovators and entrepreneurs, today announced the list of chosen entrepreneurial companies to present at the conference March 27 and 28. Companies, representing a variety of business disciplines such as social media, manufacturing, medical, environmental and nano technology, are coming to InnoVenture from cities around the southeast. In addition, InnoVenture today announced General Electric as a Diamond-level Sponsor of the conference.

“GE’s support of InnoVenture, alongside other brands such as Milliken, Michelin, Clemson and others, proves that the value of InnoVenture applies to both entrepreneurial and enterprise level companies,” said John Warner, President of Swamp Fox LLC, publisher of Swamp Fox: News of the Southeastern Innovation Corridor and producer of the InnoVenture conference. “Taking into consideration the prestige of our enterprise and VC partners, together with our amazing group of innovators and entrepreneurs, I’m confident this year’s conference is shaping up to be most entertaining and valuable to date.”

Companies chosen to present at InnoVenture 2007 include the following:

Metromojo (Louisville, KY): a technology firm engaged in the build-out of a national network of geo-targeted community websites, providing mostly free online services to members, while capturing enough traffic to become a powerful medium for advertisers. The pilot site, LouisvilleMojo.com, is the most highly trafficked online media outlet in Kentucky.

InsituTec (Charlotte, NC): specializes in high-value measurement tools for nano and microscale markets. system integrators.

A-Metrics (Charlotte, NC): With the A-Metrics technology, exceptionally high levels of sensitivity (sub-angstrom) of measurement are possible over a relatively large measurement range. One significant application is the field of sensors where exceptionally high sensitivity is desired over a large measurement range.

CIVISonline, Inc. (Charleston, SC): a software and services company being formed to exploit technology developed for the BBC for sale to the global media market. Its primary focus is to provide the tools and technology to support the rapidly emerging and revolutionary changes in the new social networking and ‘citizen journalism’ market space.

LiveCargo, Inc. (Greensboro, NC): provides a technology platform for use by consumers and businesses enabling secure access and management of electronic files. The company has filed five patents and an exclusive license for encryption technology.

Sensory Analytics, LLC (Greensboro, NC): a fast-growing leader in the development of portable and automated coating thickness and color measurement systems for manufacturers.

Selah Technologies (Greenville, SC): a nano-materials manufacturing company with patent-pending platform technologies. Initially, Selah will sell materials to select industrial channel partners under exclusive contracts for specific market segments.

CreatiVasc Medical (Greenville, SC): founded in 2004 to create an ongoing stream of innovative, proprietary, and easily-utilized vascular technologies that significantly improve the quality of life for patients on kidney dialysis. CreatiVasc will be bringing three product innovations to a vascular access market that is projected to grow at an incidence rate of 5-7% over the next decade.

PromoPipeline (Greenville, SC): vertical search technology that warehouses promotions, product information, newsletters, and channel program communication like a focused mini-Google. The search engine application is driven by a new way of communicating through tiered distribution channels, not by a proprietary algorithm.

BoroScience (Columbia, SC): has developed several proprietary synthesis routes for the preparation of high quality ammonia borane, supplying leading worldwide R&D laboratories with ammonia-borane as a solid source of hydrogen for fuel cells for their R&D efforts for portable power.

The Mariner Group, LLC (Columbia, SC): a software company focused on providing its customers with all levels of Actionable Situation Awareness (SA) that let organizations and their personnel function in a timely, effective manner, even when facing very complex and challenging tasks.

Ivox, Inc. (Alpharetta, GA): Ivox, Inc. is a pioneer and market leader for predictive underwriting using DriverScore™ as a basis for decision making similar to Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”), which is the market leader in credit scoring using its FICO credit scores. The company currently holds one of the largest GPS/GIS risk management databases in the United States.

Spinal Cord / Nerve Regeneration Technologies (Clemson, SC): Breakthroughs in medical understanding of nerve repair have only recently created great potential for regeneration of nerve fibers. The opportunity for commercial activity which will be discussed finds relevance in the neural stimulation market, a substantial segment of which is dedicated to treating acute spinal cord injuries.

InnoVenture is an annual conference of innovators and entrepreneurs building personal relationships to enhance products sold to existing customers, improve the productivity of existing processes, or create new markets. The fourth annual InnoVenture conference will be held March 27 and 28, 2007 in Greenville, SC. InnoVenture 2006 attracted over 650 participants from 250 organizations from across the southeast.

The GSA Technology Council is a Silver Sponsor of Innoventure 2007.

via www.InnoVentureSE.com.
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Bob DeGarmo serves as Managing Partner for Entrepreneurial Resources, LLC.

ER provides strategic leadership in finance and technology to emerging growth and closely held businesses. His familiarity with the regional business community, financial institutions and private equity firms has helped Bob connect many clients to capital sources, advisors, and strategic partners. He has served clients in the construction, manufacturing, Internet, consumer products, gasification, industrial waste recovery, Voice over IP, narrowcasting, advertising and publishing industries.

In addition to providing consulting services to entrepreneurially run companies, he has held senior management positions in several multi-billion dollar companies. As a Senior Vice President of Fluor Corporation he led the planning and development function of the corporation and was the group executive responsible for five operating companies. He served as the CFO of a $400 million dollar construction company and successfully led it through a difficult transition. He also served as Vice President of Corporate Planning and Development for a $3 billion food service company owned buy a leading private equity firm.

Bob was awarded The Order of Palmetto for his role in creating the South Carolina Research and Development Authority and continues to be active in numerous civic and non profit organizations. He has a BS degree in accounting and an MBA in Finance.

Bob DeGarmo speaks at the GSA Technology Council lunch on March 14,2007.

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Phil Yanov, Executive Director of the GSA Technology Council co-hosts a one hour, live call-in show about all things technology. The show is live the third Wednesday of every month and airs across the South Carolina Educational Radio Network. In Upstate South Carolina the show can be heard on WEPR 90.1 FM.

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Stratatomic has launched a new website and internet marketing campaign for Martin & Martin Auctioneers now available online at www.martinandmartinauction.com. In addition to a fresh design, the new website features upcoming auctions and online bidding information.

Stratatomic’s WebAdmin™ technology will allow Martin & Martin to update their upcoming auctions, upload pdfs, brochures, and photos, as well as manage an E-Newsletter list which can be subscribed to on the website. Stratatomic will also host the website and provide them with Webstats™ site analysis tools and e-mail services.

Martin & Martin Auctioneers, Inc. is a family-owned auction and equipment sales business based midway between Atlanta GA and Charlotte NC in Anderson, SC (Exit 32). In 1975, George Martin established the business and has continued to operate it with the help of his two sons, Jeff and Joel. Martin and Martin Auctioneers specializes in construction equipment auctions in the Southeastern United States.

Stratatomic is a full-service creative firm specializing in web, multimedia, advertising, and graphic communications. Stratatomic also offers complete solutions for web site hosting, WebAdmin™ site management software and WebStats™ site analysis tools, providing clients with a singular resource for top-to-bottom implementation of their internet marketing strategies.

via Stratatomic
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Cytec Industries Inc. today announced the completion of the site selection for a carbon fiber expansion project announced last year; with Greenville, S.C., chosen as the location of the company’s proposed new facility. Cytec’s capital investment in the expansion, projected at approximately $150 million, is in addition to a modernization and recommissioning effort completed last year at the company’s existing carbon fiber manufacturing site in Greenville, which increased the annual capacity of Cytec’s carbon fiber production by 33 percent and added 60 new jobs.

Cytec expects to add approximately 225 additional skilled and professional jobs when the expansion project is fully operational. Today, Cytec employs nearly 290 at its carbon fiber plants in Greenville and Rock Hill, South Carolina. Pending final approval, construction is expected to begin in 2008 with plant start-up scheduled for early 2010. The expansion would double Cytec’s carbon fiber manufacturing capacity and provide additional capability to meet the demand for next-generation carbon fibers.

“We’re committed to meeting the increasing needs of our customers for carbon fiber-based materials,” said Cytec Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer James P. Cronin, who led the site selection team. “We expect to benefit from this strategic investment by focusing a large part of our additional carbon fiber capacity on Cytec Engineered Materials’ advanced composites product line, which is experiencing significant growth as aerospace composites use escalates.”

“Today’s announcement is another positive sign that our efforts to improve the state’s business climate are paying dividends,” said Gov. Mark Sanford. “Cytec is an innovative world leader and this expansion enhances our state’s ability to compete in the global economy for new high tech, high wage jobs. As well, given Cytec’s involvement in the aerospace industry, this announcement certainly has potential in terms of future job creation, investment and growth opportunities for many years to come.”

When the planned new facility goes online in 2010 it will manufacture high volumes of Cytec carbon fibers such as THORNEL® T300, T650 and T40/800, which are used by a variety of commercial aerospace and military customers, as well as new fibers currently under development.

“The proposed facility will be built adjacent to Cytec’s existing Greenville carbon fiber plant and will leverage the surrounding developed land, rail access and some of the current infrastructure,” said Cytec Engineered Materials’ President Steve Speak. “And when you factor in the pool of highly-skilled talent already available and the in-depth training that the South Carolina Technical College System can provide, South Carolina’s value proposition is clear and compelling.”

South Carolina’s state worker training program, Center for Accelerated Technical Training (CATT), was ranked 5th nationally by Expansion Magazine.

Speak added, “Cytec’s history in Greenville County combined with the unflagging support and enthusiasm of the local, county and state organizations involved in this project significantly influenced our decision to invest here. South Carolina is positioned for growth and we’re excited to be part of that progress through the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.”

“This expansion is great news for South Carolina. As the aerospace industry continues to grow in our state, so do opportunities for growth and job creation. By choosing to invest and expand here, Cytec is recognizing the strengths of our economy,” said Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor. “Our state’s many benefits, including access to markets, skilled labor force, world-class training program and outstanding quality of life, make the Palmetto State a great place to live and work.”

“In 2001, the Donaldson Center manufacturing site was on the verge of closure when Cytec acquired it. Since then, they have turned it around and in the process found that Greenville is a great advanced manufacturing location,” said Jay Rogers, Chairman of the GADC Board. “This announcement confirms our viability for such technology processes and even goes further towards establishing Greenville and South Carolina as a serious contender for aviation and composites manufacturing.”

South Carolina was ranked the strongest manufacturing state in the Southeast by Business Facility magazine.

“Cytec’s announcement today is the product of a team effort involving many participants at the local and state level,” said Butch Kirven, Chairman of Greenville County Council. “Cytec will add significantly to their Greenville based aviation products plant while creating many new good paying jobs for our citizens.”

About Carbon Fiber
Carbon fibers act as a reinforcement material in advanced composites used by aerospace and high-performance manufacturers and offer advantages such as light weight, high tensile strength, durability and resistance to corrosion and high temperatures. More than 65 percent of Cytec’s carbon fiber production is earmarked for internal use by Cytec Engineered Materials in the manufacture of advanced composites, with the balance being sold to third-party materials manufacturers focused on the aerospace industry.

Cytec Engineered Materials Profile
Cytec Engineered Materials is a global provider of technologically advanced materials for aerospace, high-performance automotive, launch and other extreme-demand applications. A business unit of Cytec Industries Inc., Cytec Engineered Materials employs over 1,600 people at 10 plants and four technology centers in North America and Europe and is headquartered in Tempe, Ariz., U.S.A.

Corporate Profile
Cytec Industries Inc. is a global specialty chemicals and materials company focused on developing, manufacturing and selling value-added products with sales in 2006 of $3.3 billion. Cytec’s products serve a diverse range of end markets including aerospace, adhesives, automotive and industrial coatings, chemical intermediates, inks, mining and plastics. Cytec uses its technology and application development expertise to create chemical and material solutions that are formulated to perform specific and important functions in the finished products of our customers.

via GADC
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We’ve got the February Video update posted to our page. It’s got a short rundown of the news, along with links to the items mentioned in the video. Thank you to all who gave us feedback on the video, helping us to make it’s delivery more convenient.

Click the picture to watch the video on it’s own web page.


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From the GSATC Upstate Tech Event Calendar:

Douglas Kim of the McNair Law Firm will moderate a panel of industry experts providing their insights on Protecting Digital Property in the Technology Age. The forum will be from 3:00 – 5:00 on February 20, 2007 at The University Center in Greenville, SC.
RSVP to Diane Phillips : dphillips@innovisionaward.org

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Stratatomic has launched a new logo, identity, website and internet marketing campaign for AccountSource Financial Staffing now available online at www.asijobs.com. In addition to a new look, the website features information and tools for employers and job seekers in the accounting and financial sectors. Employers can submit a job for posting on the website, while job seekers can search an online database of all available positions as well as submit a resume, refer a friend, and more.

AccountSource will utilize Stratatomic’s WebAdmin™ technology to update the jobs database. Stratatomic will also host the website and provide them with Webstats™ site analysis tools.

via Stratatomic

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The Upstate Carolina Linux Users Group (UCLUG) is bringing Red Hat community relations manager Greg DeKoenigsberg to its February 13th meeting at the downtown Greenville Public Library beginning at 6:30pm. Greg DeKoenigsberg will be discussing and showing off one of the units from the One Laptop Per Child Program. (OLPC) The program is free and open to the public, and the community is invited to come ask about this education initiative. More about the event can be found at the UCLUG website: http://uclug.org
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