Inside VT KnowledgeWorks

Record-Smashing TechNite 2010

From the NewVa Corridor Technology Council, NCTC whose TechNite Awards Banquet was part of the VT KnowledgeWorks Entrepreneurship Summit:

A record number of leaders, luminaries and dignitaries passionate about technology in the New River Valley and Roanoke, Virginia region reunited last night for the NewVa Corridor Technology Council (NCTC)’s 2010 TechNite Awards on April 7, 2010, an annual celebration of the NewVa Region’s burgeoning technology community. With over 440 attendees toasting the nominees and winners of this SOLD-OUT event, the atmosphere at The Inn at Virginia Tech’s ballroom was nothing short of electric.
 
It’s a testament to the unflappable nature of the region’s entrepreneurial spirit that even during tough times, the NCTC’s 2010 TechNite Awards smashed a number of records, including:

• 81 Nominations in 5 Award Categories
• Over 400 attendees in attendance for the SOLD-OUT event
• Gracing an already-formidable list of Dignitaries and VIPs was Virginia’s new Secretary of Technology Jim Duffey and John May, Managing Partner of the New Vantage Group, TechNite’s 2010 Master of Ceremonies

And the winners are...

The Educator Award
Dale Vipperman of Christiansburg High School and James Irby of Montgomery County Public Schools

This award recognizes a K-12 educator in the NewVa Region that promotes math, science and/or use of technology in creative ways to transfer knowledge and help develop future technology leaders.
 
Regardless of who won this award, we wanted to let these individuals know that we recognize their hard work - efforts that will ultimately produce the workforce of tomorrow that our companies will employ. The quality of those future employees and their impact on our organizations will be a direct result of your efforts today. So, we thank you, we appreciate you, and congratulate you all on the tremendous work you are doing with our greatest asset…our children.

The Rising Star Award
Interactive Achievement, Inc.

This award recognizes a local technology company which "star is rising."  It may not be a household name yet, but it could soon be another local success story in the NewVa Region.
 
About Interactive Achievement, Inc.
Interactive Achievement provides an online assessment tool that provides K-12 educators with an accurate assessment of student performance so that students can be better prepared for the end of year Standards of Learning tests. Since being founded in 2006, Interactive Achievement has expanded to over fifty school districts in Virginia. During the current recession…they have grown revenue nearly 10-fold and hired 13 people. The company was founded by educators including their CEO who is a former principal and the focus is always on the children. Evidence of such is that Interactive Achievement provides time during the day for their employees to volunteer at school tutoring children.
 
The NewVa Leadership Award
Jay Foster, SoftSolutions, Inc.

This award recognizes one of our own who not only succeeds in the workplace, but also leads by example by contributing significantly to the community in which we live.
 
About Jay Foster, SoftSolutions, Inc.
Jay Foster launched SoftSolutions in 1998 and although the company has enjoyed some significant success recently, Jay definitely knows the ups and downs of running a small company. Outside the office, Jay has spent significant time and energy leading the "81 Reasons to Connect" initiative, which been working to identify and communicate the economic and social benefits of a combined Roanoke and New River Valley Metro-Region. Jay is a former President of the NCTC, serves on the 5th District's Regional Planning Commission, and is a board member for Roanoke Public Schools. To quote ONE OF the people that nominated him "Jay amazes me with his energy and commitment to our region. He unselfishly leads efforts.
 
The Innovator Award
Maxtena Inc.

This award recognizes those that set the standard for thought leadership and innovation. By definition, they are doing something new or different, and they are doing it well. Their innovation represents a significant technological breakthrough or addresses a great market opportunity or both.
 
About Maxtena Inc.
The compact size of antennas makes them difficult to customize, but Maxtena is transforming the world of antennas. Much like what Bose did with audio speaker technology, Maxtena is creating technological breakthroughs for electromagnetic wireless applications. Instead of thinking about the antenna as an inexpensive piece of metal, Maxtena is developing smart antenna technology for wireless communications like GPS and mobile satellite communications. Maxtena’s technology enables never-before-possible wireless applications that have commercial and military applications.
 
The Entrepreneur Award
 David Catalano and Aaron Harrington, Modea Corporation

Entrepreneurs are a different breed. Sometimes it takes nerves of steel to blaze a new path. This award recognizes someone in our community who exemplifies what it means to be a risk-taker in the technology field.
 
About David Catalano and Aaron Harrington of Modea Corporation
David Catalano and Aaron Herrington have played a principal role in the start-up of two companies in Blacksburg, the first while they were still students at Virginia Tech. Their current venture is Modea, which is a combination of the words "Modern" & "Idea". Modea is an interactive design firm that delivers cutting edge digital products to companies like T-mobile, Hasbro, Seiko, Sharp, and Newell Rubbermaid. Thanks to David and Aaron’s leadership, the company has grown rapidly attracting top talent away from big cities like San Francisco, Chicago, and New York and has been profitable every year it’s been in business.

The People’s Choice Award
NewCity

This award winner is chosen by the TechNite audience, giving them a chance to learn more about a few "up and coming" companies in the NewVa region and contribute to the awards process. Each attendee determines their own criteria: whether it’s who has the most innovative technology, the best idea, or the most commercial potential.
 
About New City
The folks at NewCity dedicate one day a week to developing ideas into new products. The first outcome of that effort is Nomad Mobile Guides, which was developed in partnership with the National Park Service. It's unique among travel apps because it allows people to purchase multiple guides and have them work together as one. Imagine taking a trip to Tuscany - you might buy one general guidebook, another with walking tours of Tuscany, and a third with local wineries. You don't want to have to flip through all three to decide what to do in Florence. With NOMAD, you see information from each guidebook displayed together on the map. NOMAD will soon be available for purchase through iTunes with editions for other mobile devices to follow.

The NewVy Award
Henry Bass, Automation Creations (ACI) Inc.

From time to time, there are achievements that are not easily classified into an award category. During this year's award process, it became clear that we had one of these situations. To recognize outstanding achievement within our community, the NCTC has created the NEWVY Award. This award recognizes those that serve as a model for others to emulate.

About Henry Bass
Henry started a local technology company more than a decade ago. The company is still going strong and has very loyal employees. In addition to running a company, Henry volunteers a considerable amount of time working with kids. He coaches a Lego robotics team that won the regional title and also serves as pack leader for the Cub Scouts. And he also serves on the NCTC board of directors. In addition to all other contributions to our community, this individual serves as a United States Army Reservist and was deployed to Iraq from October of 2008 through September 2009 where he worked 18 hour days in a combat zone. For his efforts, he was promoted from Major to Lieutenant Colonel and awarded the Bronze Star.

***

VT KnowledgeWorks has announced a Global Student Business Concept Challenge, August 29 - September 4, 2010, in Blacksburg and Roanoke, Virginia, USA.  The Challenge celebrates the energy and ingenuity of university students and their important contributions to the future of our global economy.  The name of the winning team, their university name, and their home city will be etched into the base of the VT KnowledgeWorks Global Challenge Trophy as a permanent tribute to their outstanding effort.  The winning team will earn a $25,000 cash prize.

***

VT KnowledgeWorks sponsors include Attaain, Inc., BB&T, Handshake 2.0, Harris Office Furniture, Hodges, Jones & Mabry, P.C., Hutchison Law Group, Latimer, Mayberry & Matthews IP Law, LeClairRyan, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and The Becher Agency (TBA).

81 Reasons to Connect

81 Reasons to Connect was presented by Jay Foster, President of SoftSolutions, Inc., to a meeting of the membership of the NewVa Corridor Technology Council (NCTC) on November 19, 2009, in Blacksburg, Virginia. "81" refers to Interstate 81 which connects locales in what is defined as the NewVa Corridor Technoloy Council Region. 

One of the purposes of the presentation was to explore the possibilities for continuing to develop a technology industry by creating a regional brand and identity.

81 Reasons to Connect

This latest presentation was an expanded version of one I viewed in May 2009 and wrote about in a discussion of regional economic development.

From the NewVa Corridor Technology Council (NCTC) site:

The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.  That certainly applies to the NCTC Region. Technology companies in the NewVa region face many of the same challenges whether they are located in Blacksburg, Roanoke, or somewhere in between. Finding the right technical talent is one of them. Transportation to and from the region is another. To address both of these issues and others that impact our future collective success, we need to be thinking of the two as part of a whole rather than separate regions. Past efforts that we enjoy today have addressed the needs of both to reduce the "distance" between the two, but there's more opportunity in front of us. Come learn more about what's being done today and add your thoughts to the movement.

Discussion Points and Take-Aways:

• What does Richard Florida's 'Rise of the Creative Class' say about the importance of creating a regional brand and identity that attracts creative professionals?
• Learn how past efforts to unite the Roanoke and New River Valleys helped strengthen our current NCTC Region.
• Discuss and identify the benefits of accelerating a unified Metropolitan Area, from better air fares, to better retail to better job opportunities.

***

VT KnowledgeWorks is a unique growth enhancement program open to entrepreneurs in the New River Valley of Virginia and beyond.  Acceleration center and incubation facilities are located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia. 

VT KnowledgeWorks sponsors include Attaain, Inc., BB&T, Handshake 2.0, Harris Office Furniture, Hodges, Jones & Mabry, P.C., Latimer, Mayberry & Matthews IP Law, LeClairRyan, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and The Becher Agency (TBA).

Social Media Star Robert Scoble Gets to Meet High-Tech Stars at VT KnowledgeWorks

On his visit to Blacksburg, Virginia on 6/5/09, Robert Scoble spent the afternoon at technology incubator and business acceleration center VT KnowledgeWorks. Formerly with Microsoft, now with Rackspace, Scoble is renowned for his Internet and social media evangelism.

Seated left to right at the round table discussion:  Anne Clelland, Handshake 2.0, Allan Tsang 88owls, Cameron Nouri, Rackspace Email and Apps, Daryl Scott, Attaain, Robert Scoble, Rackspace, Doug Juanarena, GenTek Ventures, Glenn Skutt, VPT Energy Systems.

Present off camera:  Kami Razvan, Click & Pledge, David Cutter, TORC, Jim McIntyre, Innovative Academic Solutions.

The video was taken by Z. Kelly Queijo.

Robert Scoble to Visit Blacksburg, Virginia on June 5, 2009

Robert Scoble, formerly with Microsoft, now with Rackspace, co-author of Naked Conversations, will visit Blacksburg, Virginia on Friday, June 5, 2009.

Thanks to Rackspace Email and Apps, a gathering for Robert Scoble will be held at Awful Arthur's from 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM.  It is open to the public and all are invited and welcome.

Scoble is known for radical blogging, especially through the use of video.  Here's a thorough Wikipedia entry on Robert Scoble and here's his version on his Scobleizer.com About page.  He is also a self-described "chief troublemaker in the Building43 community of Internet fanatics."

Awful Arthur's is located in the "back" corner of Kent Square at 213 Draper Road, SW, in Blacksburg.  Kent Square is on the corner of Main Street and Lee Street.  Parking is available on the street and in the Kent Square parking garage.  Telephone for Awful Arthur's:  540-443-9109.

The NewVa Corridor Technology Council, the NCTC has issued an invitation to its members to attend the Robert Scoble gathering.  Light snacks will be provided, courtesy of Rackspace Email and Apps.

To help plan for the event, those who will attend are invited to register.

I've written about Robert Scoble's visit on Handshake 2.0:  Robert Scoble - The Scobleizer - Will Visit Blacksburg, Virginia on Friday and Reading Up on Robert Scoble.

Regional Economic Development for the High-Tech Economy

I heard Jay Foster, a Creative Connector from the Creative Communities Leadership Program (CCLP) in Roanoke, Virginia, give a talk entitled "Vision: Bridging the Valleys for Long-Term Economic Growth."

Jay Foster serves on the 81 Reasons to Connect project, one of four initiatives generated by the CCLP.  The "81" refers to the area's access to Interstate 81.

I appreciated Foster's talk very much.  He very kindly offered his full presentation in PowerPoint slides.  Excerpts from two slides accompany this post.

The best presentations generate questions, and I found myself with many, starting with this one:

I've only been back in Blacksburg, Virginia for 2 1/2 years after a 23-year absence.  Is "bridging the valleys" - the New River Valley and the Roanoke Valley - an assumed good rather than a topic of discussion?  Is everyone in agreement that the premise is valid?  Would connecting people in the RNR - the Roanoke and New River Valleys - result in long-term economic growth?  For either?  For one more than another?  For both?

I have a great interest in, and commitment to, "regional economic development" for many reasons.

All enterprises involve risk.  Still, I want to be reasonably sure that the propulsion behind my personal efforts on behalf of regional economic development - fostering the high-tech economy as a primary focus - are in a research-supported, results-intended direction.

Thanks, Jay, for sharing your research and ideas as the Creative Connectors begin their one-year project in support of quality of life in our area.

Update 5/8/09:  Thank you, Stuart Mease, for your answer to my question in Connecting People in the RNR - A One-Region Community.

 

 

 

TechNite Awards Nominees Include VT KnowledgeWorks

At a reception today, April 15, 2009, in Roanoke, Virginia, United States Senator Mark Warner acknowledged the nominees for this year's NewVa Corridor Technology Council, NCTC, TechNite Awards.   Here's the press release from the NCTC and two faraway photos from the event.

The awards will be presented at the TechNite Awards Banquet on May 21, 2009 at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center.  Reservations must be made by May 1.  Over 300 of the area's business and technology leaders are expected to be present. 

Nominations closed on March 31, 2009.

Here are the categories and criteria for the 2009 NCTC TechNite Awards and the category nominees.

VT KnowledgeWorks member companies and/or their executives are highlighted in yellow.

Rising Star
This award recognizes a local technology company whose "star is rising."  It may not be a household name yet, but it could soon be another local success story in the NewVA region.

88Owls
Aegisound/Adaptive Technologies
ADMMicro
Design Marketing/Performance Link
FITnoke
Inorganic Ventures
Koofers
Librato
Modea
Prime Photonics
Schultz-Creehan

Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs are a different breed. Sometimes it takes nerves of steel to blaze a new path. This award recognizes someone in our community who exemplifies what it means to be a risk-taker in the technology field.

Kevin Bloomfield, NetVentures
Anne Giles Clelland, Handshake 2.0
M. Tyson Daniel, Esq., LimbGear
Jonathan Hagmaier, Interactive Achievement
James Rancourt, Polymer Solutions
Dan Sable, VPT
Tracy Wilkins, TechLab

NewVa Leadership Award
This award recognizes one of our own who not only succeeds in the workplace, but also leads by example by contributing significantly to the community in which we live.

Stanley Breakell, Breakell
Bev Fitzpatrick, Virginia Museum of Transportation
Jim Flowers, Director, VT KnowledgeWorks
Stuart Mease, City of Roanoke
Andre A. Muelenaer, Jr., M.D., Carilion
Dan Smith, Valley Business FRONT
Neil Wilkin, Optical Cable Corporation

Innovation
This award recognizes an individual, a group of individuals, company, or other organization that sets the standard for thought leadership and innovation in their respective fields. By definition, they are doing something new or different, and they are doing it well. Their innovation represents a significant technological breakthrough or addresses a great market opportunity or both.

Attaain
CMR Institute
EnergyWare
ExperiED
Interface AdvantageSystems
Maxtena
Moog Components Group
Pixel Optics
Qualtrax
TORC Technologies
Wireless Medcare
VCOM 

Educator
This award recognizes a K-12 educator in the NewVA region that promotes math, science and/or use of technology in creative ways to transfer knowledge and help develop future technology leaders.

Molly Bullington, Burton Center for Arts and Technology 
Michael Collver, Montgomery County Public Schools 
Dr. Kurt Grosshans, Montgomery County Public Schools
Rebecca Hertling, Montgomery County Public Schools
Cathy Huffman, The Gereau Center for Applied Technology & Career Exploration 
Nancy McCrickard, Science Museum of Western Virginia 
Stuart Rawlings, Cave Spring Middle School 
Kim Williams, Roanoke City Public Schools
Georgette Yakman, Pulaski County High School

Last Day to Nominate High-Tech Stars for TechNite 10.0 Awards

This year's NewVa Corridor Technology Council, NCTC, TechNite Awards 10.0 will be presented at the TechNite Awards Banquet on May 21, 2009 at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Virginia.  Over 300 of the area's business and technology leaders are expected to be present. 

Today, Tuesday, March 31, 2009, is the last day to submit nominations.

Entrepreneur Express

The Entrepreneur Express, a Virginia-wide business development program, is heading towards Southwest Virginia.

Roanoke Entrepreneur Express (.pdf)
February 5, 2009, 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Whitman Auditorium, Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke, VA

Galax Entrepreneur Express (.pdf)
February 24, 2009, 9:00 AM to Noon, Crossroads Institute, Galax, VA

Radford University (.pdf)
February 26, 2009, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Homecoming Week Activity, Radford, VA

From an e-mail from Sandy Ratliff forwarded to Anne Clelland by Stuart Mease:

*Are you an existing business owner taking advantage of local, state and federal programs and services to expand your enterprise?

*Are you struggling to grow your business during our slowing economy?

*Are you an aspiring entrepreneur?

*Are you wondering if the timing is right to become a business owner?

*Are you concerned that today's job market will not provide the stability for you and your family?

If the answer to any of these questions is YES, this workshop you won't want to miss!

You are invited to attend the 4th Annual Roanoke Entrepreneur Express Workshop; Moving Your Business Forward to be held on February 5 from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the Whitman Auditorium at Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke, VA. The event, coordinated by the Virginia Department of Business Assistance, is being sponsored locally by the City of Roanoke,Virginia Western Community College Workforce Development Center and County of Roanoke Department of Economic Development. Admission is FREE!

In today's economy, the survival of small business has never been more challenging. Finding new markets, accessing financing and connecting to resources is vital to weathering economic crisis.  This workshop is designed to provide information on available business resources and deliver practical, hands-on training covering key elements of business practice.  Workshop segments will include information on how to start and operate a business, growing an existing business, marketing strategies and resources, financing and other available resources within the Commonwealth.

Additional information can be found at
http://www.vastartup.org/westevents.html.  Although the workshop is offered at no charge, advanced registration is required. Registration information can be found at http://www.rvarc.org/entfair/entexpress/expressregister.html.

For more information, contact Stuart Mease at 540-853-2384.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect to resources and network with nearly a dozen service providers who can help you grow your business!

Sandy Ratliff
Business Services Manager, Southwest Office
Virginia Department of Business Assistance
851 French Moore Jr. Blvd, Suite 110
Abingdon, VA  24210
Office: 276-676-3768
Cell: 276-274-9740
Fax: 276-676-5575
Email: sandy.ratliff@vdba.virginia.gov
Virginia Business Information Center: 866-248-8814

If you'rel ooking for new business formation requirements, go to www.vdba.virginia.gov and click on Business One Stop. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance supports economic development in the Commonwealth by working with new and existing businesses to provide workforce incentives, loans, business information, procurement assistance, and educational opportunities for the business and economic development communities.

Good News for the New River Valley

From Aric H. Bopp, Executive Director, New River Valley Economic Development Alliance:

Dear Alliance Investors, Allies, and Media Members:
 
These are certainly difficult times that we currently live in.  The following examples of “good news” are not intended to overlook the real challenges that face our region, Virginia, and the United States.  But, at the same time, I think it is important to recognize some of the good that is taking place in Virginia’s New River Valley as we compare to the rest of the U.S. 
 
So, did you know the following:
 
+ From September 2007 to September 2008 the New River Valley (Blacksburg/Christiansburg/Radford MSA) actually experienced job growth (1.2%) despite the various closings and layoffs in the region.  No doubt this growth is the result of small businesses, entrepreneurs, commercial/retail expansions, existing industries, and our colleges and universities.  Our percentage job growth actually was one of the highest in the state (it was greater than the following MSAs:  Bristol, Charlottesville, Danville, Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Roanoke).
Source:  Virginia Economic Trends 4th Quarter 2008 Report
 
+ The 2008 Q3 Data from the Office of Federal Housing Oversight indicates that New River Valley (Blacksburg/Christiansburg/Radford MSA) housing market is the 21st best appreciating housing market in the United States.  Other than the Bristol TN/VA MSA we ranked higher than all other MSAs in Virginia.
Source:  The Office of Federal Housing Oversight 2008 Q3 Index
 
+ Forbes.com recently ranked Blacksburg, VA as one of America’s Most Educated Small Towns.  Blacksburg ranked 14th “most educated” when compared with all other small towns in the United States.  
Source:  Forbes.com January 5th, 2009 Report
 
Again, these rankings and comparisons just mean we are doing better than some of our “peers” throughout the U.S. but does not mean we aren’t facing many challenges and difficulties.  Our office and many others throughout the region are committed to foster job creation, to facilitate new investment, and to nurture and improve quality of life in the New River Valley for all of our citizens.
 
Sincerely,
Aric H. Bopp
Executive Director
New River Valley Economic Development Alliance
6226 University Park Drive
Suite 2200
Radford, VA 24141
abopp@nrvalliance.org
www.nrvalliance.org 540-267-0007 (phone)
540-267-0013 (fax)
800-678-1734 (toll free)
540-818-3677 (mobile)
540-552-0531 (home)

In the High-Tech New River Valley, They Are The Power Women - Part 3

This is part three of a three-part series on The Power Women in my world as one of three women-founded member companies of business acceleration center VT KnowledgeWorks. 

Part one featured Lindsey Eversole, Member Services Manager of VT KnowledgeWorks.  Part two featured Shirley Gillispie, Media Specialist, the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center.

Bethanne Trexell
Office Manager
NewVa Corridor Technology Council (NCTC)

Bethanne is uncannily savvy about what works and what doesn’t in the series of moments that make up a business interaction.  I have witnessed this most often at early morning NCTC Technology & Toast meetings where un-coffee-ed technology professionals converge at her table for name tags. 

The right words, the right actions, the right answers – no more and no less – flow from Bethanne as she greets attendees by name, selects a name tag while a person is still scanning the A’s, all the while replying, “Yes, he’s here,” “No, I’m sorry, he wasn’t able to be here today,” “Yes, it’s a buffet,” and “Certainly.  I’ll be glad to ask about the air conditioning.” 

Whether I’m in Bethanne’s line at the busy NCTC table, or one-on-one with her in her Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center office, I sense her acute attention to what will work best for me, for my company, and for my goals.  I feel taken very, very seriously.

To be able to help a person be conscious about what she’s doing, why, and how?  That’s power.

***

As I mentioned in part one of this series, Patricia Handschiegel is writing a twice-per-week, 10-week series on women CEOs for The Huffington Post entitled "The Power Girls."  Her series targets the national and international audience of the top Technorati-rated The Huffington Post. 

I appreciated her inspiration to think about the The Power Women that shape and lead my own life as a CEO right here in the New River Valley of Virginia.

The Power Women - Lindsey Eversole, Shirley Gillispie, and Bethanne Trexell - have wielded enormous business-building power over the success of my six-month start-up.  To them, I am deeply grateful.