DEPT OF COMMERCE: SIX EARLY-STAGE TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES RECEIVE ARIZONA INNOVATION ACCELERATOR PROGRAM AWARDS

FROM THE DEPT OF COMMERCE

July 10, 2008

CONTACT:     Pati Urias or David Drennon
602-771-1163
http://www.azcommerce.com                                                                 


Awards to six Arizona businesses are being made through the Arizona Innovation Accelerator (AIA) of the Arizona Department of Commerce.  The AIA is focused on helping Arizona’s emerging technology and bioscience businesses excel by promoting innovation among entrepreneurs to help bring their discoveries to market. 

The grant awards fall under two programs that are part of the Arizona Innovation Accelerator. Technology Assessment Grants offer independent, expert review of technology under development. Emphasis is placed on determining if the technology already exists, is a good candidate for intellectual property protection and likely to find an attractive market. AZFAST Grants are specifically designed for entrepreneurs to develop and commercialize global technology by accessing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) federal funding.

"Encouraging research and development in Arizona is a critical component of our efforts to foster innovation in our state," said Jan Lesher, Director of the Arizona Department of Commerce.  "Providing companies with this valuable information and assistance is important to Arizona’s economy and its future." 

The awards:

·         Innovis Technologies of Tucson – Technology Assessment grant

Innovis Technologies is commercializing a technology that was developed at the University of Arizona for the rapid detection and identification of dangerous microbes such as E. coli in food, water, and environmental samples. 

·         4D Anatomy of Scottsdale - $5,000 AZ FAST grant

A 4D Anatomy system is set to revolutionize medical training and education by eliminating the need for cadavers and providing a more effective means of medical study.

·         inXsol of Phoenix - $5,000 AZ FAST grant

inXsol is working on a life saving program to be used by emergency response teams.

·         Nonlinear Control Strategies of Tucson - $5,000 AZ FAST grant

Nonlinear Control Strategies develops photonics software solutions for the semiconductor laser and nanophotonics/plasmonics communities.

·         Polar Laser Laboratories of Tucson - $5,000 AZ FAST grant

Polar Laser Laboratories developed an ultrafast fiber-laser technology which is providing solutions for Affordable High-Energy Lasers.

·         Ridgetop Group of Tucson – $5,000 AZ FAST grant

Ridgetop Group’s engineers design commercial and radiation-hardened mixed-signal, data conversion and signal conditioning circuits.

For more information on AIA’s programs please contact Jaymie Parker at jaymiep@azcommerce.com or 602-771-1152.