GSA Technology Council

SC Launch company,Ice Dragon Cooling was named one of the top five innovations at the International CES, a convention produced by the Consumer Electronics Association. The convention is the largest and most recognized electronic technology event in the world, and hosts thousands of exhibitors and tens of thousands of attendees each year.

The company, based in Columbia, SC, offers an innovative product that cools electronics systems. The technology combines water, surfactants, and antimicrobial metallic nanoparticles to create a solution for improved cooling performance. This technology is the result of a joint research project of the University of South Carolina and the U.S. Air Force.

“SC Launch was established to support the growth of promising technology-based companies in South Carolina. Ice Dragon has proven to clearly fit this role,” said SC Launch Executive Director Dave McNamara.

“We are thrilled for Ice Dragon to receive this honor and recognition,” said Bill Mahoney, SCRA CEO.
“Ice Dragon’s achievement reflects the world-class science and technology commercialization results which are now consistently emerging from South Carolina.”
The Ice Dragon solution is estimated to reduce temperatures by up to 20% more efficiently than water. Liquid cooled systems can take advantage of cost savings as Ice Dragon is able to reduce pump and radiator fan velocities while maintaining a consistent temperature that is similar to water.

via: SC Launch

Convinced that Greenville County is “a great area to grow a business in,” Network Aces and the Greenville Area Development Corporation have announced the establishment of the new company’s operations in Greenville, South Carolina, effective immediately. The company’s launch includes the filling of 3 new jobs immediately, with the possibility of additions to come.

The company will focus on offering IT network support services and hardware designed to economically meet the needs of small and middle-market businesses, said William Pratt, a principal in the company.

“This area is tremendous for business and has a tremendous demand for networking, IT infrastructure, VoIP and security services,” said Pratt in explaining the company’s launch here. “We were very familiar with the Greenville and Upstate area, and had fallen in love with the quality of life and robust business environment. We see the sky as the limit for Network Aces in Greenville County.”

The new Greenville operation is located at 101 Verdae Boulevard, said Pratt. He sees the vibrant small and mid-market business presence in the Upstate as a natural for growing Network Aces’ business.

“We focus on developing customized, yet affordable, technology solutions for our clients, keeping their information systems up to speed so they can concentrate on running a profitable business,” said Pratt. “From desktop support to maintenance services and networking to security enhancement, we work around our clients’ schedules with onsite, after hours, emergency and even weekend service. We think there’s a real market for a customer-first IT firm, and we expect a steep growth curve for Network Aces in the Upstate.”

“Network Aces is a good example of a company whose IT capabilities and talents fill an important niche here in the Upstate,” said Mike Buiter, Chairman of the Greenville Area Development Corporation Board. “Smaller businesses are the lifeblood of American business, and Network Aces is entrepreneurial, innovative and growth-oriented. They’ll be a great addition to Greenville County and South Carolina.”

via: Network Aces

If you need to learn how to maximize the potential of a new technology then TechVenture, an award winning entrepreneurial program developed by the Kauffman Foundation, can show you how.

FastTrac TechVenture is 30 hours of instruction over 10 modules designed specifically for entrepreneurs in the fields of technology or life sciences. It focuses on the specific needs of these entrepreneurs, whose business ideas are based on:
• Developing and marketing technology.
• Developing technology that enables creation or enhancement of a non-technology business.
• Developing biotechnology and life sciences products or services.

Throughout the program, entrepreneurs will strengthen their ability to make critical decisions and equip themselves with the knowledge and skills needed to improve the performance of their potential or existing technology businesses. The primary objectives of the program are to enable them to accomplish the following:
• Effectively evaluate and improve their business concept.
• Express the business concept through an Elevator Pitch, a Business Plan, and an Investor Presentation.
• Build a valuable network of entrepreneurial peers and important mentor relationships.

WHERE/WHEN:
Aiken: May 20 -21, 2010 (Modules 1-3)
Charleston: June 17-18, 2010 (Modules 4-6)
Greenville: July 15-16, 2010 (Modules 7-9)
Columbia: August 19-20, 2010 (Module 10 with Graduation/Investor Presentations)

CLASS SCHEDULE:
Thursday 3pm—6pm
Study/Coaching Workshops 7pm-9pm (with Industry Specific Coaches)
Friday 9am—Noon and 1pm—3pm

COSTS:
Tuition: $595.00 (Retail Value is $895.00)
Hotel Room Rate: <$100.00 per night
All Meals Included

At the graduation ceremony on August 20, 2010, graduates will have an opportunity to pitch their technology business to potential investors (Venture Capitalists, Angels, Corporate R & D Representatives, and Others).

FastTracSC, an initiative of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, has a vision to create new jobs, new businesses and new wealth for South Carolinians. Through state funding, corporate donations and the assistance of the FastTracSC Coalition which includes South Carolina Universities, Technical Colleges and state/local organizations dedicated to assisting in the development of new businesses in South Carolina, FastTracSC has been able to provide entrepreneurial training throughout the state to residents at all levels of business development.
For more information on TechVenture and the other programs offered by FastTracSC, visit our website at www.FastTracSC.org or email Mary Dickerson at mdickerson@charlestonchamber.org.

via: FastTracSC

The Clemson Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering a workshop aimed start up and small businesses on March 16th.
“JumpStart Your Business, Tips for Start Up Success” will explore the basics of what it takes to get into business. Topics include how to set-up a business, forms of business organization, an overview of financial statements, general legal requirements, the elements of an effective business plan, financing options, and how to improve the odds of success. This practical program is designed to help you ask the right questions and find the most important information to make informed business decisions. Pre-registration is required. Call 864.370.1545
OR EMAIL SBOSTIC@CLEMSON.EDU

WHEN
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010; 6:30 – 8:00 pm

WHERE
Clemson at the Falls
55 East Camperdown Way, Greenville
Classroom 1A

INVESTMENT
$25

via: Clemson Small Business Development Center

Build an off-road Baja car from scratch; design it so it can go through mud and up steep hills; and do it within a budget.

That is the challenge facing the nearly 100 collegiate engineering teams from across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, that will compete in the 2010 Baja SAE Carolina, which will be held at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) campus in Greenville, S.C., April 8 -11, 2010.

This unique SAE International engineering competition provides real-world, hands-on learning for students. Competitors design and build an off-road vehicle that can survive the punishment of rough terrain. All vehicles are powered by a 10-horsepower Intek Model 20 engine donated by Briggs & Stratton Corporation.

Opportunity best defines this event, not only for the participating students, but also in a very big way for the individuals and businesses who provide support in the way of donations, sponsorships and materials.

Employers who may be looking for future engineers will have the opportunity to meet highly motivated engineering students from the top engineering programs in the nation and abroad.

Businesses also have a chance to display their company and products.

SAE International has many types of sponsorship opportunities that can be tailored to fit the needs of an organization. Further information can be found at the Baja SAE Carolina website, www.bajasaecarolina.com.

via: Baja SAE Carolina

Ask & Receive, Inc., a full service marketing and IT support company, announced it has launched a new website for the International Center of the Upstate (ICU). The website is listed with all major search engines and can be found at www.internationalupstate.org. Ask & Receive is a proud sponsor of the ICU and is pleased to have been able to donate the time and resources necessary for the design and development of this new site.

Ask & Receive has worked closely with ICU Executive Director Wendy Anthony to develop this new site for the ICU to help increase the organization’s visibility and web presence. Users can easily navigate the site which contains a wealth of information for international visitors, and foreign and local residents. The International Center of the Upstate’s mission is to provide information, programs and services to benefit and promote residents and international businesses in our region as well as to foster cultural diversity and harmony in our growing community. The International Center of the Upstate is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.

via: AskandRecieive.net

Acumen I.T., a Greenville-based technology company, has strengthened its technology management with the addition of three new employees. Clifton Dunaway has joined Acumen as Business Applications Manager, and Kelly Laughton and Stacy Anthony have joined the company as Storage Solutions Consultants.

Dunaway is charged with assisting Acumen’s customers in implementing the most efficient business and industrial applications in order to improve their overall productivity. Clifton brings more than 25 years of experience in the manufacturing and IT industries. Previously, he worked with Synesis International as a Senior Systems Consultant, where he served as the Database and SharePoint administrator and also served as the sole Database Administrator (DBA) for Extended Stay Hotels. He is currently being certified in Activplant, which has helped many industrial plants improve their productivity.

Laughton previously served as an IT sales executive and CIO where she helped to transform organizations using technology as a business driver. She worked as Information Technology Director for Henderson County Government for eight years. Prior to that, she consulted on legal and library automation software and served as a representative for Inmagic Inc. and Summation software, providing sales and services to businesses and law firms throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

Anthony began her career more than 13 years ago with UUNET and has since been a successful business developer driving high-profile sales. Most recently, her position with TW Telecom in the Greenville Market allowed her to cultivate a new market and increase the TW Market Share by 500%.

Laughton and Anthony will work closely with Acumen’s customers to assist them in creating a road map for their business by either revamping their current storage architecture or helping them to implement one from the start.

“The experience and wealth of knowledge our new team members bring to Acumen positions us well for the future as we help our customers grow and enhance their business applications and storage solutions,” says David Pence, president of Acumen. “We’re proud to have them join our team.”

via: Acumen I.T.

US Airways Magazine will highlight downtown Greenville as part of its March 2010 Key to the City profile series, a 28-page editorial feature which combines traditional travel related information with a comprehensive look at downtown Greenville including its vibrant setting, business opportunity, high quality restaurants, cultural venues and award-winning quality of life.

“The US Airways Magazine profile truly provides phenomenal editorial coverage for the city, showcasing the unique combination of culture, business and lifestyle that make Greenville an unmatched place in which to work, live and play,” said City Manager James M. Bourey. “The article provides the perfect opportunity to showcase our award-winning downtown to millions of readers worldwide.”

The comprehensive editorial feature was a collaborative effort between the US Airways Magazine staff and the City of Greenville, the Greenville Chamber and the Downtown Greenville Development Initiative.

In addition to being featured in the March issue, the Greenville editorial feature will also be available for one year on the US Airways Magazine’s website.

via: U.S. Airways Magazine

Sealevel Systems is making it even easier to shop for products, find resources and engage with industry experts. The company worked with Blue Ion of Charleston, SC to launch a new website in February 2010.

Customers can look forward to several new features including:

• Simplified searches for over 300 products
• A design center featuring case studies and unique applications
• Easy-to-navigate support and knowledgebase articles
• Access to manuals, software, drivers, application examples and more.

Along with the ecommerce and support enhancements, Sealevel launched an interactive online community. Here customers will find videos, blogs, RSS feeds, and links to the company’s Twitter (@sealevelsystems and @sealevelpartner). In addition to learning more about Sealevel and its products, customers can now ask questions, make recommendations and connect with others via Sealevel’s user forum. In addition, customers can participate in Tom’s Trivia, the company’s ever-popular monthly contest.

Sealevel Systems, founded in 1986, provides industrial computing solutions in addition to a variety of communications and I/O products including PCI Bus cards, Ethernet serial servers, USB serial adapters, PCMCIA cards, and PC/104 modules. The product line includes multi-port RS-232, RS-422/485, RS-232/422/485 multi-interface high-speed sync/async, and digital/relay I/O. For more information, visit www.sealevel.com or call 864-843-4343.

via: Sealevel

Apple® announced that its magical and revolutionary iPad will be available in the US on Saturday, April 3, for Wi-Fi models and in late April for Wi-Fi + 3G models. In addition, all models of iPad will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK in late April.

Beginning a week from today, on March 12, US customers can pre-order both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models from Apple’s online store (www.apple.com) or reserve a Wi-Fi model to pick up on Saturday, April 3, at an Apple retail store.

“iPad is something completely new,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’re excited for customers to get their hands on this magical and revolutionary product and connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”

Starting at just $499, iPad lets users browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more. iPad is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds—thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook—and delivers battery life of up to 10 hours.*

iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch™ interface makes surfing the web an entirely new experience, dramatically more interactive and intimate than on a computer. You can read and send email on iPad’s large screen and almost full-size “soft” keyboard or import photos from a Mac®, PC or digital camera, see them organized as albums, and enjoy and share them using iPad’s elegant slideshows. iPad makes it easy to watch movies, TV shows and YouTube, all in HD, or flip through the pages of an ebook you downloaded from Apple’s new iBookstore while listening to your music collection.

The App Store on iPad lets you wirelessly browse, buy and download new apps from the world’s largest app store. iPad includes 12 new innovative apps designed especially for iPad and will run almost all of the more than 150,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased for your iPhone® or iPod touch®. Developers are already creating exciting new apps designed for iPad that take advantage of its Multi-Touch interface, large screen and high-quality graphics.

The new iBooks app for iPad includes Apple’s new iBookstore, the best way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile product. The iBookstore will feature books from the New York Times Best Seller list from both major and independent publishers, including Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishers, Penguin Group and Simon & Schuster.

The iTunes® Store gives iPad users access to the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store with a catalog of over 12 million songs, over 55,000 TV episodes and over 8,500 films including over 2,500 in stunning high definition. All the apps and content you download on iPad from the App Store, iTunes Store and iBookstore will be automatically synced to your iTunes library the next time you connect with your computer.

Pricing & Availability
iPad will be available in Wi-Fi models on April 3 in the US for a suggested retail price of $499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB. The Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available in late April for a suggested retail price of $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB and $829 for 64GB. iPad will be sold in the US through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers.

iPad will be available in both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models in late April in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. International pricing will be announced in April. iPad will ship in additional countries later this year.

The iBooks app for iPad including Apple’s iBookstore will be available as a free download from the App Store in the US on April 3, with additional countries added later this year.

via: Apple