VTKW & Member News,
2009~2010
News Archives
News Archives
● VTKW Member, Abokia Wins LeClairRyan SCOUT Award
● NanoSafe Founder Matthew Hull's New
Nanotechnology Book Announced
● Schultz-Creehan Reports United Way Campaign
Results
● Dr. Jeffrey Schultz of Schultz-Creehan speaks at
Conference
● Schultz-Creehan Recognized as Leader in
Technology & Industry
● AIIP Presents Tenth Annual Technology Award to
Attaain Inc.
● Keraderm Closes on $2.5 Million Investment
● Exchange program focuses on entrepreneurship
● Social Media Increases Flow of Traffic to
FurnishWEB
● 88owls - Strategic Marketing & Business
Development Workshop
● VTKW on List of Top 10 Incubators in the United
States
● Handshake 2.0 Turns 1.0
● Rackspace Tech Showcase to be featured on
Handshake 2.0
● Internet Databases Celebrates Ten-Year
Anniversary
● VT KnowledgeWorks Goes International
● Entrepreneurship Summit Keynote Speaker Announced
● First Annual VT KnowledgeWorks Entrepreneurship
Summit
January 20, 2010
BLACKSBURG, Va. – LeClairRyan is pleased to announce that Abokia has been selected as the recipient of the first Southwest Virginia Connection for Originating Unique Technology (SCOUT) Award. The LeClairRyan SCOUT award recognizes an entrepreneur or emerging business in southwest Virginia with a unique idea that is poised for the next stage of its evolution.
Abokia seeks to deliver easily customizable and massively accelerated biocomputing software in order to address the inability of today’s computing technology to keep up with the exponential growth in genomic sequencing information. Specifically, with the computing required to perform routine sequence analysis increasing 100-fold every 18 months, a growth rate that is 50-fold more than the projected computing capability of processors, Abokia’s innovative software solutions promise to bridge this ever-widening gap, thus enabling scientists and engineers to accelerate discovery in the life sciences.
“With the looming deluge of DNA promised by today’s sequencing technologies, our society sits at the dawn of a new era where high-end computing has become the key to unleashing discoveries in the life sciences,” said Dr. Heshan Lin, founder of Abokia. “As such, Abokia sits at the nexus of high-end computing, bioinformatics, and genomics to enable scientists to make discoveries faster and at a fraction of the cost. Initially, we will be commercializing the cutting-edge bioinformatics research coming out of Virginia Tech.”
Abokia will deliver their massively accelerated biocomputing software through the use of emerging commodity computing platforms that will enable users to access information on demand – whether on their smartphone, laptop or desktop. Abokia’s products encompass technology related to algorithmic transformation, computational acceleration, and I/O acceleration. The end result of the convergence of these technologies will be an increase in both processing speed and data transfer capabilities that will ultimately enhance a multitude of downstream processes such as biomanufacturing, rational drug design, and real-time pathogen detection.
“We are invested in knowing the business needs of our venture capital clients,” said LeClairRyan Venture Capital Practice Area Team Leader Michael Drzal. “Being immersed in the industry, we recognize there are many exceptional Southwest Virginia entrepreneurs with great ideas who are seeking capital. Establishing this award was a natural outgrowth of our desire to invest in those entrepreneurs and their ideas. I am very pleased we can assist Abokia in bringing this cutting edge technology to the bioinformatics/genomics market.”
As the recipient of the award, Abokia will receive up to $15,000 in legal services over the next 12 months. The firm plans to offer the award again in 2011. The application process will begin in August 2010.
About LeClair Ryan
Founded in 1988, LeClairRyan provides business counsel and client representation in corporate law and high-stakes litigation. With offices in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C., the firm has more than 300 attorneys representing a wide variety of clients throughout the nation. For more information about LeClairRyan, visit www.leclairryan.com.
For more information: Christina Llames (804) 783-7518
BLACKSBURG, Va. – LeClairRyan is pleased to announce that Abokia has been selected as the recipient of the first Southwest Virginia Connection for Originating Unique Technology (SCOUT) Award. The LeClairRyan SCOUT award recognizes an entrepreneur or emerging business in southwest Virginia with a unique idea that is poised for the next stage of its evolution.
Abokia seeks to deliver easily customizable and massively accelerated biocomputing software in order to address the inability of today’s computing technology to keep up with the exponential growth in genomic sequencing information. Specifically, with the computing required to perform routine sequence analysis increasing 100-fold every 18 months, a growth rate that is 50-fold more than the projected computing capability of processors, Abokia’s innovative software solutions promise to bridge this ever-widening gap, thus enabling scientists and engineers to accelerate discovery in the life sciences.
“With the looming deluge of DNA promised by today’s sequencing technologies, our society sits at the dawn of a new era where high-end computing has become the key to unleashing discoveries in the life sciences,” said Dr. Heshan Lin, founder of Abokia. “As such, Abokia sits at the nexus of high-end computing, bioinformatics, and genomics to enable scientists to make discoveries faster and at a fraction of the cost. Initially, we will be commercializing the cutting-edge bioinformatics research coming out of Virginia Tech.”
Abokia will deliver their massively accelerated biocomputing software through the use of emerging commodity computing platforms that will enable users to access information on demand – whether on their smartphone, laptop or desktop. Abokia’s products encompass technology related to algorithmic transformation, computational acceleration, and I/O acceleration. The end result of the convergence of these technologies will be an increase in both processing speed and data transfer capabilities that will ultimately enhance a multitude of downstream processes such as biomanufacturing, rational drug design, and real-time pathogen detection.
“We are invested in knowing the business needs of our venture capital clients,” said LeClairRyan Venture Capital Practice Area Team Leader Michael Drzal. “Being immersed in the industry, we recognize there are many exceptional Southwest Virginia entrepreneurs with great ideas who are seeking capital. Establishing this award was a natural outgrowth of our desire to invest in those entrepreneurs and their ideas. I am very pleased we can assist Abokia in bringing this cutting edge technology to the bioinformatics/genomics market.”
As the recipient of the award, Abokia will receive up to $15,000 in legal services over the next 12 months. The firm plans to offer the award again in 2011. The application process will begin in August 2010.
About LeClair Ryan
Founded in 1988, LeClairRyan provides business counsel and client representation in corporate law and high-stakes litigation. With offices in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C., the firm has more than 300 attorneys representing a wide variety of clients throughout the nation. For more information about LeClairRyan, visit www.leclairryan.com.
For more information: Christina Llames (804) 783-7518
January 19, 2010
According to Amazon.com's Hot New Releases in Nanotechnology, what's hot is Nanotechnology Environmental Health and Safety: Risks, Regulation and Management, co-edited by
Matthew
Hull and
Diana Bowman.
Hull founded NanoSafe, headquartered
in the Virginia Tech Corporate
Research Center in
Blacksburg,
Virginia.
How hot is nanotechnology safety? So hot, nanotechnology environmental health and safety (EHS) even has its own acronym - nanoEHS - and many federal agencies and international councils are intensely focused on its study.
Handshake 2.0 asked Matthew Hull why nanotechnology is hot and why we need to read this book.
Read more at http://www.handshake20.com/2010/01/nanotechnology.html.
According to Amazon.com's Hot New Releases in Nanotechnology, what's hot is Nanotechnology Environmental Health and Safety: Risks, Regulation and Management, co-edited by
Matthew
Hull and
Diana Bowman.
Hull founded NanoSafe, headquartered
in the Virginia Tech Corporate
Research Center in
Blacksburg,
Virginia.How hot is nanotechnology safety? So hot, nanotechnology environmental health and safety (EHS) even has its own acronym - nanoEHS - and many federal agencies and international councils are intensely focused on its study.
Handshake 2.0 asked Matthew Hull why nanotechnology is hot and why we need to read this book.
Read more at http://www.handshake20.com/2010/01/nanotechnology.html.
Company beats goal and exceeds previous
year’s fundraising
Blacksburg, Virginia- December 9, 2009. Schultz-Creehan, LLC, completed its second annual United Way campaign as part of the “First and Goal” program. “First and Goal” is a network of businesses selected for their strong leadership to inspire other local companies to strengthen their involvement in the community. The company was successful in meeting their goal to exceed the previous year’s fundraising. Additionally, the company committed to a stocking-stuffing community service project to benefit children in surrounding New River Valley communities.
United Way volunteer Karen Cronin and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Program Director Sherry Kramer were invited speakers at Schultz-Creehan’s campaign meeting where they shared the value of both organizations with the staff. Mrs. Cronin explained how United Way provides critical funding for local non-profits such as NRV Cares which is the umbrella organization supporting the CASA program. Ms. Kramer further provided insight on the goals of NRV Cares and CASA. NRV Cares is a charitable organization whose mission is to protect children from abuse and to strengthen families through education, advocacy and community partnerships. CASA focuses specifically on training volunteers who are dedicated to advocating safe, permanent homes for abused and neglected children who are involved in court proceedings.
At the conclusion of the kickoff, employees were given the opportunity to donate to the United Way through personal pledge forms. In result, an overwhelming 90% of full time employees contributed an extraordinary total of $2,105. In addition to the monetary contributions, Schultz-Creehan announced their community service project for the winter holiday season. The company will be decorating and stuffing stockings with gifts for approximately 30 children that are actively supported by CASA. The stockings will be filled with everyday essentials, as well as holiday gifts and treats, for children ages 1-18. Funding for the service project will be provided by personal contributions from Schultz-Creehan management.
“We urge all companies and individuals to consider supporting the basic health and human services United Way partner agencies provide. For more information on how to get involved, visit the United Way website at www.unitedwaynrv.org. You can find information about the important work they do and how to volunteer or make a donation,” said Schultz-Creehan CEO Nanci Hardwick.
The United Way of Montgomery, Radford, and Floyd is a non-profit organization which provides services, funding, and volunteers to the local community. They work together with individuals and businesses in the area to help strengthen the local community by creating and supporting health and human services.
About Schultz-Creehan Holdings, Inc.: Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focused on the research and development of innovative solutions for industry. Schultz-Creehan addresses complex product development challenges through expertise in materials science and industrial engineering. With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets for customers like HCA, Corning, Bucyrus, and more. For more information about Schultz-Creehan, visit www.schultz-creehan.com.
Blacksburg, Virginia- December 9, 2009. Schultz-Creehan, LLC, completed its second annual United Way campaign as part of the “First and Goal” program. “First and Goal” is a network of businesses selected for their strong leadership to inspire other local companies to strengthen their involvement in the community. The company was successful in meeting their goal to exceed the previous year’s fundraising. Additionally, the company committed to a stocking-stuffing community service project to benefit children in surrounding New River Valley communities.
United Way volunteer Karen Cronin and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Program Director Sherry Kramer were invited speakers at Schultz-Creehan’s campaign meeting where they shared the value of both organizations with the staff. Mrs. Cronin explained how United Way provides critical funding for local non-profits such as NRV Cares which is the umbrella organization supporting the CASA program. Ms. Kramer further provided insight on the goals of NRV Cares and CASA. NRV Cares is a charitable organization whose mission is to protect children from abuse and to strengthen families through education, advocacy and community partnerships. CASA focuses specifically on training volunteers who are dedicated to advocating safe, permanent homes for abused and neglected children who are involved in court proceedings.
At the conclusion of the kickoff, employees were given the opportunity to donate to the United Way through personal pledge forms. In result, an overwhelming 90% of full time employees contributed an extraordinary total of $2,105. In addition to the monetary contributions, Schultz-Creehan announced their community service project for the winter holiday season. The company will be decorating and stuffing stockings with gifts for approximately 30 children that are actively supported by CASA. The stockings will be filled with everyday essentials, as well as holiday gifts and treats, for children ages 1-18. Funding for the service project will be provided by personal contributions from Schultz-Creehan management.
“We urge all companies and individuals to consider supporting the basic health and human services United Way partner agencies provide. For more information on how to get involved, visit the United Way website at www.unitedwaynrv.org. You can find information about the important work they do and how to volunteer or make a donation,” said Schultz-Creehan CEO Nanci Hardwick.
The United Way of Montgomery, Radford, and Floyd is a non-profit organization which provides services, funding, and volunteers to the local community. They work together with individuals and businesses in the area to help strengthen the local community by creating and supporting health and human services.
About Schultz-Creehan Holdings, Inc.: Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focused on the research and development of innovative solutions for industry. Schultz-Creehan addresses complex product development challenges through expertise in materials science and industrial engineering. With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets for customers like HCA, Corning, Bucyrus, and more. For more information about Schultz-Creehan, visit www.schultz-creehan.com.
Dr. Jeffrey Schultz Speaks at 2009 Materials
Science & Technology Conference
~ Friction Stir Fabrication Technology
Presented
Blacksburg, VA - November 20, 2009 – At the 2009 Materials Science & Technology Conference, Dr. Jeffrey Schultz, Ph.D. represented Schultz-Creehan, a high-tech engineering firm from Blacksburg, VA. Dr. Schultz, a member of the Minerals Metals & Materials Society and Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Schultz-Creehan, gave a presentation on the firm’s innovative Friction Stir Fabrication Technology.
Friction Stir Fabrication Technology, invented by Schultz-Creehan, is a low-temperature friction-based coating method used to deposit coatings, including metal matrix composites, onto aluminum substrates at relatively low temperatures. Friction Stir Fabrication Technology is also utilized in such processes as applying ballistic and wear resistant coatings to aluminum decking and armor without the grain growth and loss of strength caused by current high temperature thermal spray technologies.
Materials Science & Technology Conferences are attended by the leading experts in the materials science community and is a forum addressing structure, processing, and properties. This year’s conference took place in Pittsburgh, PA, through October 25-29th, and was hosted by four leading materials societies: The American Ceramic Society, the Association for Iron and Steel Technologies (AIST), ASM International (ASM), and the Minerals Metals & Materials Society (TMS).
About Schultz-Creehan LLC: Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focusing on the research and development of innovative solutions for industry. Schultz-Creehan addresses complex product development challenges through expertise in materials science and industrial engineering. With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets for customers. For more information about Schultz-Creehan, visit www.schultz-creehan.com
Contact:
Nanci Hardwick
Schultz-Creehan LLC
2200 Kraft Drive, Suite 1475
Blacksburg, VA 24060
540.443.9215
Blacksburg, VA - November 20, 2009 – At the 2009 Materials Science & Technology Conference, Dr. Jeffrey Schultz, Ph.D. represented Schultz-Creehan, a high-tech engineering firm from Blacksburg, VA. Dr. Schultz, a member of the Minerals Metals & Materials Society and Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Schultz-Creehan, gave a presentation on the firm’s innovative Friction Stir Fabrication Technology.
Friction Stir Fabrication Technology, invented by Schultz-Creehan, is a low-temperature friction-based coating method used to deposit coatings, including metal matrix composites, onto aluminum substrates at relatively low temperatures. Friction Stir Fabrication Technology is also utilized in such processes as applying ballistic and wear resistant coatings to aluminum decking and armor without the grain growth and loss of strength caused by current high temperature thermal spray technologies.
Materials Science & Technology Conferences are attended by the leading experts in the materials science community and is a forum addressing structure, processing, and properties. This year’s conference took place in Pittsburgh, PA, through October 25-29th, and was hosted by four leading materials societies: The American Ceramic Society, the Association for Iron and Steel Technologies (AIST), ASM International (ASM), and the Minerals Metals & Materials Society (TMS).
About Schultz-Creehan LLC: Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focusing on the research and development of innovative solutions for industry. Schultz-Creehan addresses complex product development challenges through expertise in materials science and industrial engineering. With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets for customers. For more information about Schultz-Creehan, visit www.schultz-creehan.com
Contact:
Nanci Hardwick
Schultz-Creehan LLC
2200 Kraft Drive, Suite 1475
Blacksburg, VA 24060
540.443.9215
November 16, 2009
Blacksburg, Virginia - Valley Business FRONT, Roanoke’s and the New River Valley’s progressive business publication magazine, released this month its FRONTlist 2009- Best of Business award winners. Of the nine industry fronts covered by the magazine, Schultz-Creehan was selected as this year’s Tech/Industry FRONTLeader award winner.
Dan Smith, the Co-Founder and editor of the magazine states, “Schultz-Creehan personifies the kind of entrepreneurial spirit we have in mind when we hand out any kind of award here at Valley Business FRONT. Schultz-Creehan has not only been a solid, growing company that is providing high-quality jobs for the region, but it is a good corporate citizen with workers who are treated well and its intention beyond simply piling up profit is clear.
The magazine’s FRONTList comes out towards the end of every year and represents the “best of” in all the areas that are most important to business. The winners are not chosen by a readers’ choice award system, but rather the magazine’s own listening and observing. Additionally, Valley Business FRONT confers with their editorial advisory board and engaged business leaders, while watching/reporting on current industry events, to further dissect each category. This compilation of industry leaders is the only list of its kind in the region.
About Schultz-Creehan LLC: Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focusing on the research and development of innovative solutions for industry. Schultz-Creehan addresses complex product development challenges through expertise in materials science and industrial engineering. With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets for customers. For more information about Schultz-Creehan, visit www.schultz-creehan.com
For more information on Valley Business FRONT magazine, visit www.vbfront.com
Contact:
Nanci Hardwick
Schultz-Creehan LLC
2200 Kraft Drive, Suite 1475
Blacksburg, VA 24060
540.443.9215
Blacksburg, Virginia - Valley Business FRONT, Roanoke’s and the New River Valley’s progressive business publication magazine, released this month its FRONTlist 2009- Best of Business award winners. Of the nine industry fronts covered by the magazine, Schultz-Creehan was selected as this year’s Tech/Industry FRONTLeader award winner.
Dan Smith, the Co-Founder and editor of the magazine states, “Schultz-Creehan personifies the kind of entrepreneurial spirit we have in mind when we hand out any kind of award here at Valley Business FRONT. Schultz-Creehan has not only been a solid, growing company that is providing high-quality jobs for the region, but it is a good corporate citizen with workers who are treated well and its intention beyond simply piling up profit is clear.
The magazine’s FRONTList comes out towards the end of every year and represents the “best of” in all the areas that are most important to business. The winners are not chosen by a readers’ choice award system, but rather the magazine’s own listening and observing. Additionally, Valley Business FRONT confers with their editorial advisory board and engaged business leaders, while watching/reporting on current industry events, to further dissect each category. This compilation of industry leaders is the only list of its kind in the region.
About Schultz-Creehan LLC: Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focusing on the research and development of innovative solutions for industry. Schultz-Creehan addresses complex product development challenges through expertise in materials science and industrial engineering. With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets for customers. For more information about Schultz-Creehan, visit www.schultz-creehan.com
For more information on Valley Business FRONT magazine, visit www.vbfront.com
Contact:
Nanci Hardwick
Schultz-Creehan LLC
2200 Kraft Drive, Suite 1475
Blacksburg, VA 24060
540.443.9215
October 29, 2009
Association of Independent Information Professionals Presents Tenth Annual Technology Award to Attaain Inc.
BATON ROUGE, LA —The Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP) announced that Attaain Inc. has been honored as the recipient of the tenth annual AIIP Technology Award, presented on Oct. 27, 2009 at Information Today Inc.’s Internet Librarian conference in Monterey, California USA. Attaain Inc. was recognized for AttaainCI, its state-of-the-art competitive intelligence and market intelligence tool, which provides information through a full-featured, well thought-out, and easy-to-use web-based system, according to the association’s panel of judges. Every year, the AIIP Technology Award is presented to a company whose product, in the opinion of the panel, best assists independent information professionals with their day-to-day operations in locating, analyzing, organizing, and delivering information.
AttaainCI uniquely aggregates web data by pulling together results from dozens of sources and building comprehensive reports “on the fly.” The product provides real-time business intelligence using a variety of data sources, such as:
• Company websites
• User-supplied information
• News
• Social media mentions
• Search engine queries
• Reports
• Whitepapers
• Documents
• Patents
• Hiring and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) activities
• Videos
• Articles
• Website advertising and metrics
“AIIP believes that Attain Inc.'s product not only enables information professionals to provide competitive intelligence to their clients, but also can help them to track companies to target for marketing,” says AIIP President Marcy Phelps.
AttaainCI was nominated for the award by AIIP member Ellen Naylor, owner of Business Intelligence Source (http://www.thecisource.com), of Conifer, Colorado USA. Naylor describes AttaainCI as “a fabulous, cost-effective monitoring and searching tool, which is constantly being enhanced.”
In addition to the award to Attaain Inc., the AIIP Awards Committee gave honorable mention to FreePatentsOnline (www.freepatentsonline.com/), which the committee feels offers fast and easy-to use, yet powerful search capabilities, and which has free access to published patents and patent applications.
About AIIP
Founded in 1987, the Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP) is a membership organization for owners of information-related businesses, and today includes some 600 individuals in more than 20 countries. AIIP members offer expert research services using proprietary, Internet, primary and manual research sources; provide technology and library support, as well as consulting, training, and editorial services. Members’ clients range from small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations, organizations in the nonprofit sector, and consumers.
CONTACT:
Marcy Phelps
AIIP President
(303) 239-0657
president@aiip.org
Andrea C. Carrero
AIIP, Director of Marketing and Web
(610) 494-0316
marketingdirector@aiip.org
Association of Independent Information Professionals Presents Tenth Annual Technology Award to Attaain Inc.
BATON ROUGE, LA —The Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP) announced that Attaain Inc. has been honored as the recipient of the tenth annual AIIP Technology Award, presented on Oct. 27, 2009 at Information Today Inc.’s Internet Librarian conference in Monterey, California USA. Attaain Inc. was recognized for AttaainCI, its state-of-the-art competitive intelligence and market intelligence tool, which provides information through a full-featured, well thought-out, and easy-to-use web-based system, according to the association’s panel of judges. Every year, the AIIP Technology Award is presented to a company whose product, in the opinion of the panel, best assists independent information professionals with their day-to-day operations in locating, analyzing, organizing, and delivering information.
AttaainCI uniquely aggregates web data by pulling together results from dozens of sources and building comprehensive reports “on the fly.” The product provides real-time business intelligence using a variety of data sources, such as:
• Company websites
• User-supplied information
• News
• Social media mentions
• Search engine queries
• Reports
• Whitepapers
• Documents
• Patents
• Hiring and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) activities
• Videos
• Articles
• Website advertising and metrics
“AIIP believes that Attain Inc.'s product not only enables information professionals to provide competitive intelligence to their clients, but also can help them to track companies to target for marketing,” says AIIP President Marcy Phelps.
AttaainCI was nominated for the award by AIIP member Ellen Naylor, owner of Business Intelligence Source (http://www.thecisource.com), of Conifer, Colorado USA. Naylor describes AttaainCI as “a fabulous, cost-effective monitoring and searching tool, which is constantly being enhanced.”
In addition to the award to Attaain Inc., the AIIP Awards Committee gave honorable mention to FreePatentsOnline (www.freepatentsonline.com/), which the committee feels offers fast and easy-to use, yet powerful search capabilities, and which has free access to published patents and patent applications.
About AIIP
Founded in 1987, the Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP) is a membership organization for owners of information-related businesses, and today includes some 600 individuals in more than 20 countries. AIIP members offer expert research services using proprietary, Internet, primary and manual research sources; provide technology and library support, as well as consulting, training, and editorial services. Members’ clients range from small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations, organizations in the nonprofit sector, and consumers.
CONTACT:
Marcy Phelps
AIIP President
(303) 239-0657
president@aiip.org
Andrea C. Carrero
AIIP, Director of Marketing and Web
(610) 494-0316
marketingdirector@aiip.org
October 23, 2009
Keraderm Closes on $2.5 Million Investment from NewVa Capital Partners, LP
Blacksburg, Virginia - Keraderm Corp. announced the closing today of a $2.5 million dollar Series A investment by NewVa Capital Partners, LP. Currently starting clinical trials, the company's platform harnesses phototherapy technology to treat nail and skin infections. NewVa Capital Partners is a private equity and venture capital fund managed by Third Security, LLC and provides early stage investments in companies located or considering location in the NewVa region of southwest Virginia. This is Keraderm's first institutional investment round.
"This commitment by NewVa Capital Partners provides us with the capital and resources we need to complete our clinical trial, obtain approval for our device from the Food and Drug Administration and begin rolling out our product," says Bill Cumbie, President and CEO of Keraderm. "We're looking forward to this partnership with Third Security. Third Security really works alongside the management of their portfolio companies to create value and they have a lot of experience bringing products in the life sciences to market."
Onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the nail, is a common disorder. In the United States during the past twelve months, 2.3 million prescriptions were written to treat this disease. Current pharmaceutical therapies have limited efficacy and result in relatively high recurrence rates. In some cases, the drugs prescribed can have serious side effects. Keraderm's device, which uses bursts of pulsed light to destroy the fungal infection, has demonstrated positive results in prior clinical trials. The company is currently preparing for a pivotal trial designed to meet the requirements for approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. There are no approved non-invasive, non-drug based treatments for this disease.
"We are excited to be working with Keraderm to help bring their device to market. We think they have a great approach to addressing a large market that is not well served by current treatment options," said Rob Patzig, chair of NewVa Capital Partners and Chief Investment Officer of Third Security. "We believe Keraderm's device is an effective, more convenient, and safe alternative for patients."
Keraderm represents the final investment by NewVa Capital Partners, LP, which is invested in four other companies in the biotech, life sciences, and technology sectors.
About Keraderm
Keraderm Corp., headquartered in Blacksburg Virginia, is an early stage medical device company that has developed a patented, innovative, and effective treatment for nail infections. The treatment eliminates the potential serious side effects of current medications and has shown encouraging results in preclinical and early clinical testing. The Company believes that the ability to safely and effectively treat nail infections, the low cost, and the shortened treatment time of the Keraderm light-based solution will rapidly transform this billion-dollar-plus market.
About NewVa Capital Partners, LP
NewVa Capital Partners, LP is a private equity/venture capital fund created to make investments in companies that are considering initiating operations in, currently operating in, or willing to relocate all or a significant portion of their business to, the NewVa region of southwestern Virginia. The fund was created in 2004 by its founding partners: Virginia Tech Foundation, Carilion Clinic and Third Security, LLC. Third Security RNR LLC is the general partner and manager of the Fund. Third Security, LLC is the manager and operator of Third Security RNR LLC.
About Third Security, LLC
Third Security is an independent private equity and venture capital firm formed in 1999 to manage investments in public and private companies. Third Security evaluates opportunities in a wide range of industries, but principally focuses on emerging through late-stage investments in life sciences and information technology.
Contact:
David Snepp
Director, Communications
Third Security
(540) 633-7900
Email: david.snepp@thirdsecurity.com
Keraderm Closes on $2.5 Million Investment from NewVa Capital Partners, LP
Blacksburg, Virginia - Keraderm Corp. announced the closing today of a $2.5 million dollar Series A investment by NewVa Capital Partners, LP. Currently starting clinical trials, the company's platform harnesses phototherapy technology to treat nail and skin infections. NewVa Capital Partners is a private equity and venture capital fund managed by Third Security, LLC and provides early stage investments in companies located or considering location in the NewVa region of southwest Virginia. This is Keraderm's first institutional investment round.
"This commitment by NewVa Capital Partners provides us with the capital and resources we need to complete our clinical trial, obtain approval for our device from the Food and Drug Administration and begin rolling out our product," says Bill Cumbie, President and CEO of Keraderm. "We're looking forward to this partnership with Third Security. Third Security really works alongside the management of their portfolio companies to create value and they have a lot of experience bringing products in the life sciences to market."
Onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the nail, is a common disorder. In the United States during the past twelve months, 2.3 million prescriptions were written to treat this disease. Current pharmaceutical therapies have limited efficacy and result in relatively high recurrence rates. In some cases, the drugs prescribed can have serious side effects. Keraderm's device, which uses bursts of pulsed light to destroy the fungal infection, has demonstrated positive results in prior clinical trials. The company is currently preparing for a pivotal trial designed to meet the requirements for approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. There are no approved non-invasive, non-drug based treatments for this disease.
"We are excited to be working with Keraderm to help bring their device to market. We think they have a great approach to addressing a large market that is not well served by current treatment options," said Rob Patzig, chair of NewVa Capital Partners and Chief Investment Officer of Third Security. "We believe Keraderm's device is an effective, more convenient, and safe alternative for patients."
Keraderm represents the final investment by NewVa Capital Partners, LP, which is invested in four other companies in the biotech, life sciences, and technology sectors.
About Keraderm
Keraderm Corp., headquartered in Blacksburg Virginia, is an early stage medical device company that has developed a patented, innovative, and effective treatment for nail infections. The treatment eliminates the potential serious side effects of current medications and has shown encouraging results in preclinical and early clinical testing. The Company believes that the ability to safely and effectively treat nail infections, the low cost, and the shortened treatment time of the Keraderm light-based solution will rapidly transform this billion-dollar-plus market.
About NewVa Capital Partners, LP
NewVa Capital Partners, LP is a private equity/venture capital fund created to make investments in companies that are considering initiating operations in, currently operating in, or willing to relocate all or a significant portion of their business to, the NewVa region of southwestern Virginia. The fund was created in 2004 by its founding partners: Virginia Tech Foundation, Carilion Clinic and Third Security, LLC. Third Security RNR LLC is the general partner and manager of the Fund. Third Security, LLC is the manager and operator of Third Security RNR LLC.
About Third Security, LLC
Third Security is an independent private equity and venture capital firm formed in 1999 to manage investments in public and private companies. Third Security evaluates opportunities in a wide range of industries, but principally focuses on emerging through late-stage investments in life sciences and information technology.
Contact:
David Snepp
Director, Communications
Third Security
(540) 633-7900
Email: david.snepp@thirdsecurity.com
September 15, 2009
Exchange program focuses on entrepreneurship
Five students and two faculty members from France spent the past week learning about American business.
PEMBROKE -- French and English floated across the room as two groups gathered around the living room of a cabin at Mountain Lake.
The French group consisted of five French engineering and business students and two faculty members from Telecom & Management SudParis, a French business and engineering school in Paris.
The others were from the Blacksburg-based VT KnowledgeWorks, the firm hosting the group to help the students learn about American-style business. The workshop was part of a week-long prize trip the students won in the Annual Entrepreneurial Project at Telecom & Management SudParis for creating Multeegaming, an on-demand video game platform for PCs that allows players to challenge each other to games...
Read more on The Roanoke Times...
Special thanks to our International Week Sponsors!
Exchange program focuses on entrepreneurship
Five students and two faculty members from France spent the past week learning about American business.
PEMBROKE -- French and English floated across the room as two groups gathered around the living room of a cabin at Mountain Lake.
The French group consisted of five French engineering and business students and two faculty members from Telecom & Management SudParis, a French business and engineering school in Paris.
The others were from the Blacksburg-based VT KnowledgeWorks, the firm hosting the group to help the students learn about American-style business. The workshop was part of a week-long prize trip the students won in the Annual Entrepreneurial Project at Telecom & Management SudParis for creating Multeegaming, an on-demand video game platform for PCs that allows players to challenge each other to games...
Read more on The Roanoke Times...
Special thanks to our International Week Sponsors!
September 9, 2009
Social Media Increases Flow of Traffic to FurnishWEB
At a time when businesses are clamoring to determine the ROI of social media, Barry Welch, developer of FurnishWEB, is seeing results.
(Blacksburg, VA) - When Barry Welch, founder of Internet Databases and developer of FurnishWEB, a web-based online ordering and product inventory data management system serving the home furnishing industry, wanted to increase the industry’s awareness of FurnishWEB, he turned to social media to help him get the word out.
Welch, a seasoned entrepreneur with a ten-year success record in providing custom web development services for the home furnishing industry, called on the expertise of social media expert Anne Giles Clelland, founder of Handshake Media, Inc., to give both him and FurnishWEB more exposure online than having only a web site could offer.
According to Welch, “There has been a learning curve on my part to relate social media and public relations to my business. Anne suggested I give it a try for two months and I'm glad I did. I've made contacts in my industry I would not have made and there is more 'churn' in the market relative to our service. Plus, our website traffic is up 14%.”
“In an era of media fragmentation,” Clelland said, “Barry Welch’s willingness to both run a company and to engage with industry experts, current customers, and potential clients online - in not one but many social media channels - shows true, innovative leadership.”
“Connect and communicate” is the mantra Welch set for the company he founded 10 years ago. By using Facebook, Twitter, a FurnishWEB YouTube channel, and blogging, he's found that he can engage with existing and potential customers at a deeper level from the very start. “We've always considered ourselves to be readily accessible to our clients, now we find that by adding this level of exposure, we're that and more,” says Welch.
While his FurnishWEB blog addresses topics of interest to existing and potential users, Welch writes his CEO blog ( HYPERLINK "http://barrywelch.typepad.com/bdw/"http://barrywelch.typepad.com/bdw/) to share insights and experiences on business, leadership, and life. There he is able to focus on topics that he hopes will help other entrepreneurs as they learn and grow.
As the furniture market continues to expand globally, Welch believes FurnishWEB is well poised to build a worldwide customer-base. “Our good name is our biggest asset,” said Welch, “and by having a social media strategy, more people are discovering who we are and what we have to offer.”
About FurnishWEB
FurnishWEB was developed by Barry Welch, founder and president of Internet Databases. This Software-as-a-Service, SaaS, features sales force automation tools, online catalogs, online order processing, and an extensive furniture photo library. Launched three years ago, FurnishWEB's user-base includes over 2000 dealer/retailer users, 450 sales reps, and 250 staff from the home furnishings industry. Welch has been developing software tools to serve the home furnishings industry for more than a decade.
Social Media Increases Flow of Traffic to FurnishWEB
At a time when businesses are clamoring to determine the ROI of social media, Barry Welch, developer of FurnishWEB, is seeing results.
(Blacksburg, VA) - When Barry Welch, founder of Internet Databases and developer of FurnishWEB, a web-based online ordering and product inventory data management system serving the home furnishing industry, wanted to increase the industry’s awareness of FurnishWEB, he turned to social media to help him get the word out.
Welch, a seasoned entrepreneur with a ten-year success record in providing custom web development services for the home furnishing industry, called on the expertise of social media expert Anne Giles Clelland, founder of Handshake Media, Inc., to give both him and FurnishWEB more exposure online than having only a web site could offer.
According to Welch, “There has been a learning curve on my part to relate social media and public relations to my business. Anne suggested I give it a try for two months and I'm glad I did. I've made contacts in my industry I would not have made and there is more 'churn' in the market relative to our service. Plus, our website traffic is up 14%.”
“In an era of media fragmentation,” Clelland said, “Barry Welch’s willingness to both run a company and to engage with industry experts, current customers, and potential clients online - in not one but many social media channels - shows true, innovative leadership.”
“Connect and communicate” is the mantra Welch set for the company he founded 10 years ago. By using Facebook, Twitter, a FurnishWEB YouTube channel, and blogging, he's found that he can engage with existing and potential customers at a deeper level from the very start. “We've always considered ourselves to be readily accessible to our clients, now we find that by adding this level of exposure, we're that and more,” says Welch.
While his FurnishWEB blog addresses topics of interest to existing and potential users, Welch writes his CEO blog ( HYPERLINK "http://barrywelch.typepad.com/bdw/"http://barrywelch.typepad.com/bdw/) to share insights and experiences on business, leadership, and life. There he is able to focus on topics that he hopes will help other entrepreneurs as they learn and grow.
As the furniture market continues to expand globally, Welch believes FurnishWEB is well poised to build a worldwide customer-base. “Our good name is our biggest asset,” said Welch, “and by having a social media strategy, more people are discovering who we are and what we have to offer.”
About FurnishWEB
FurnishWEB was developed by Barry Welch, founder and president of Internet Databases. This Software-as-a-Service, SaaS, features sales force automation tools, online catalogs, online order processing, and an extensive furniture photo library. Launched three years ago, FurnishWEB's user-base includes over 2000 dealer/retailer users, 450 sales reps, and 250 staff from the home furnishings industry. Welch has been developing software tools to serve the home furnishings industry for more than a decade.
August 14, 2009
There are signs the economy has bottomed out. Whether that is true or not, does your business have a proactive, strategic plan to take advantage of the current economic situation, or are you just reacting to it, hoping for the best?
* Have you always known you needed a marketing plan to help you navigate your business?
* Have you felt you just don't have the time to create a living, usable plan, instead of no plan or one that sits on your shelf and collects dust?
* Would you benefit from working on your plan while getting valuable feedback from other entrepreneurs?
88owls is announcing a 9 week, 9 session workshop to benefit the startup and small businesses. "Grow Your Company" is a comprehensive, yet simple and easy to follow, marketing course designed to help you win over your customers by creating a dynamic blueprint for your business.
By working through the nine crucial areas of a marketing plan, you will:
* Discover how "your company" is really the product you should be selling, not the product/service you offer.
* Plan a practical strategy to free up more time, increase profits, and improve cash flow by creating a scalable business, not just a place where a group of people have a job.
* Know exactly what your next steps are for your company as you develop a new plan or fine tune and flesh out an existing plan in a strategic and creative environment. * Progress as quickly or slowly as you and your company need.
* Go back to your company, energized and motivated, with fresh ideas, vitality, and passion. You'll be ready to take your company to the next level using practical, measurable goals, milestones, and solutions.
Come inspire and be inspired!
What: Strategic Marketing & Business Development Workshop
For Whom: For Entrepreneurs & Marketing Directors
When: Start date: September 2, 2009
Where: Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, VT KnowledgeWorks Lakeview Room
Length: 9 weeks
Day: Every Wednesday
Time: 8.30 am - 12.30 pm
Format: 30 min: Overview, 60 min: Work on Your plan, 150 min: Focus Group
Group size: 12 Max.
Fee: $997. Covers all 9 weeks of instruction, workbook and breakfasts.
If you are interested in registering but would prefer another schedule, please feel free to email me. If this class fills up, we might start another session. To register or for more info, please visit: http://88owls.org/upcoming-workshop/.
There are signs the economy has bottomed out. Whether that is true or not, does your business have a proactive, strategic plan to take advantage of the current economic situation, or are you just reacting to it, hoping for the best?
* Have you always known you needed a marketing plan to help you navigate your business?
* Have you felt you just don't have the time to create a living, usable plan, instead of no plan or one that sits on your shelf and collects dust?
* Would you benefit from working on your plan while getting valuable feedback from other entrepreneurs?
88owls is announcing a 9 week, 9 session workshop to benefit the startup and small businesses. "Grow Your Company" is a comprehensive, yet simple and easy to follow, marketing course designed to help you win over your customers by creating a dynamic blueprint for your business.
By working through the nine crucial areas of a marketing plan, you will:
* Discover how "your company" is really the product you should be selling, not the product/service you offer.
* Plan a practical strategy to free up more time, increase profits, and improve cash flow by creating a scalable business, not just a place where a group of people have a job.
* Know exactly what your next steps are for your company as you develop a new plan or fine tune and flesh out an existing plan in a strategic and creative environment. * Progress as quickly or slowly as you and your company need.
* Go back to your company, energized and motivated, with fresh ideas, vitality, and passion. You'll be ready to take your company to the next level using practical, measurable goals, milestones, and solutions.
Come inspire and be inspired!
What: Strategic Marketing & Business Development Workshop
For Whom: For Entrepreneurs & Marketing Directors
When: Start date: September 2, 2009
Where: Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, VT KnowledgeWorks Lakeview Room
Length: 9 weeks
Day: Every Wednesday
Time: 8.30 am - 12.30 pm
Format: 30 min: Overview, 60 min: Work on Your plan, 150 min: Focus Group
Group size: 12 Max.
Fee: $997. Covers all 9 weeks of instruction, workbook and breakfasts.
If you are interested in registering but would prefer another schedule, please feel free to email me. If this class fills up, we might start another session. To register or for more info, please visit: http://88owls.org/upcoming-workshop/.
In a report assessing "the national incubator
landscape,"
ChubbyBrain "initially
identified more than 5400 companies in
incubators in the United States equating to an
average of 110 per state."
According to Fostering Local Economic Development: The State of United States’ Incubators by the Chubby Research Team, VT KnowledgeWorks is among the Top 10 Incubators in the United States in terms of "the highest number of scalable companies."
Read the full report.
According to Fostering Local Economic Development: The State of United States’ Incubators by the Chubby Research Team, VT KnowledgeWorks is among the Top 10 Incubators in the United States in terms of "the highest number of scalable companies."
Read the full report.
July 23, 2009
Business news and online public relations
services site addresses the universal through
the local with innovative business model and
celebrates one-year anniversary.
(Blacksburg, VA) – As a business news site,
Handshake 2.0 creates its own content. As a
public relations services site, it creates
content for its clients. Built on a blog, the
site features updated, dynamic content. The
combination has generated growing site traffic
and business results for clients since its
launch on July 28, 2008.
“When Handshake 2.0 launched, I envisioned a
business news site focused on the local
economy. One year later, we’ve evolved into a
site creating content for an international
audience. Local business stories contain
profound business truths,” says Anne Giles
Clelland, President of Handshake Media,
Incorporated, and founder of Handshake 2.0.
“What differentiates Handshake 2.0 from other
business sites is that we showcase people and
the companies and products they’ve created.
Other sites do reviews and editorials well. We
tell a company’s story.”
Stuart Mease, social media and regional
evangelist, City of Roanoke, VA, and host of
“Connecting People in the RNR,” a Handshake 2.0
video series, says “Anne's vision - every
business blogs - has the potential to transform
our community by creating a sticky online
presence, while reinforcing the offline image
of our area being the most wired small
community in the U.S. Her site is an example of
a hybrid media company equivalent to a local
version of TechCrunch.com, a Chamber of
Commerce, and the newspaper. She is our
region's technology reporter and Handshake 2.0
is the community where it all comes together.”
Handshake 2.0 exemplifies the services it touts
by integrating social media tools into the
company's public relations and marketing
strategy. “Media fragmentation is a real
challenge for businesses,” says Clelland. “How
do they get the word out now that potential
customers receive information through so many
sources? Handshake 2.0 is an answer. Once we
learn a company’s story, we share it through
our network of social media information
distribution channels. We share a company’s
news with thought and heart, not automation.”
According to Jim Flowers, Director of VT
KnowledgeWorks, business acceleration center
and technology incubator at the Virginia Tech
Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg,
Virginia, “In only a year, Handshake 2.0 has
established itself as a first-class blog,
ranked in the top 0.3% of blogs tracked by
Technorati. In addition, Anne Clelland is now
the acknowledged regional expert on social
media. Very few start-ups achieve that level of
market success in their first year.”
About Handshake 2.0
An enterprise of Handshake Media, Incorporated,
a digital public relations firm founded by Anne
Giles Clelland, Handshake 2.0 is a business
news and digital public relations services
site. It features the latest developments in
entrepreneurship, business models, business
leaders, innovation and companies, from
start-ups to moguls. Handshake Media,
Incorporated, is a member company of VT
KnowledgeWorks, located at the Virginia Tech
Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg,
Virginia. For more information about Handshake
2.0, please visit
www.handshake20.com.
Contact:
Anne Giles Clelland, President
Handshake Media, Incorporated
406 Alleghany Street
Blacksburg, VA 24060-5007
(540) 808-6334
anne@handshake20.com
July 23, 2009
(Blacksburg, VA) – Good news. Good neighbors. Goodwill. That's what Handshake 2.0 and Rackspace® Hosting hope to accomplish with the launch of the Rackspace Tech Showcase. This new feature on Handshake 2.0 (www.handshake20.com) will shine the spotlight on businesses based in Blacksburg, Virginia, home to the Rackspace Email and Apps division, formerly known as Mailtrust®. The Showcase segment will appear weekly on Handshake 2.0 beginning on July 28, 2009.
“Part of our mission is to aid regional economic development by showcasing Blacksburg as a good place to live and work," said Anne Giles Clelland, President of Handshake Media, Incorporated, and founder of Handshake 2.0. "As a social media company, we act as an information distribution channel that helps businesses access potential customers, clients, partners, employees, leaders, referrals, contacts, and investors. Rackspace's sponsorship of the Rackspace Tech Showcase is a way we can co-create excellent customer service in the same vein as Rackspace’s famed Fanatical Support®. Our product? Regional economic development.”
“We are excited to partner with Handshake 2.0 to showcase local businesses from around our community in Blacksburg, Virginia,” said Marisa Keegan, Culture Maven at Rackspace. “We are always looking at innovative ways to help others understand why Blacksburg, Virginia is a great place to work and find this to be a great opportunity to help further our efforts.”
About Handshake 2.0
An enterprise of Handshake Media, Incorporated, a digital public relations firm founded by Anne Giles Clelland, Handshake 2.0 is a business news and digital public relations services site. It features the latest developments in entrepreneurship, business models, business leaders, innovation and companies, from start-ups to moguls. For more information about Handshake 2.0, please visit www.handshake20.com.
Contact:
Anne Giles Clelland, President
Handshake Media, Incorporated
406 Alleghany Street
Blacksburg, VA 24060-5007
(540) 808-6334
anne@handshake20.com
(Blacksburg, VA) – Good news. Good neighbors. Goodwill. That's what Handshake 2.0 and Rackspace® Hosting hope to accomplish with the launch of the Rackspace Tech Showcase. This new feature on Handshake 2.0 (www.handshake20.com) will shine the spotlight on businesses based in Blacksburg, Virginia, home to the Rackspace Email and Apps division, formerly known as Mailtrust®. The Showcase segment will appear weekly on Handshake 2.0 beginning on July 28, 2009.
“Part of our mission is to aid regional economic development by showcasing Blacksburg as a good place to live and work," said Anne Giles Clelland, President of Handshake Media, Incorporated, and founder of Handshake 2.0. "As a social media company, we act as an information distribution channel that helps businesses access potential customers, clients, partners, employees, leaders, referrals, contacts, and investors. Rackspace's sponsorship of the Rackspace Tech Showcase is a way we can co-create excellent customer service in the same vein as Rackspace’s famed Fanatical Support®. Our product? Regional economic development.”
“We are excited to partner with Handshake 2.0 to showcase local businesses from around our community in Blacksburg, Virginia,” said Marisa Keegan, Culture Maven at Rackspace. “We are always looking at innovative ways to help others understand why Blacksburg, Virginia is a great place to work and find this to be a great opportunity to help further our efforts.”
About Handshake 2.0
An enterprise of Handshake Media, Incorporated, a digital public relations firm founded by Anne Giles Clelland, Handshake 2.0 is a business news and digital public relations services site. It features the latest developments in entrepreneurship, business models, business leaders, innovation and companies, from start-ups to moguls. For more information about Handshake 2.0, please visit www.handshake20.com.
Contact:
Anne Giles Clelland, President
Handshake Media, Incorporated
406 Alleghany Street
Blacksburg, VA 24060-5007
(540) 808-6334
anne@handshake20.com
July 10, 2009
(Blacksburg, VA) -- Internet Databases celebrated its ten-year anniversary on May 3, 2009.
At a time when the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that roughly six in ten businesses do not even make it to the four-year mark, Barry Welch, President, CEO, and founder of Internet Databases said, “We are both proud and grateful to celebrate this milestone.”
Internet Databases began as a custom web applications development company in 1999 while Barry's wife, Allison, was pregnant with their second child. “She got tired of hearing me talk about starting a business. She supported me 100% and felt I would regret it in the future if I didn't give starting my own company a good try.”
That year, Hooker Furniture became an Internet Databases client, setting the stage for what would become the focus of Welch’s work - developing web-based applications for the home furnishings industry.
In 2007, he made the switch from solely developing custom applications to releasing his first software product: FurnishWEB, an online data management system for the home furnishings industry. In 2008, he added his 20th client, Huntington Furniture.
When asked if there were surprises along the way, Barry Welch said, “I've been surprised by the amount of confidence and faith put into us by organizations much larger than ours. I've been surprised by how differently similar companies in the same industries operate. I've been surprised that people are interested in our story.”
Any company that stays in business 10 years is a story.
About Internet Databases
Internet Databases is a custom web development company founded in 1999 and located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, Blacksburg, Virginia.
Website: http://www.internetdatabases.com
Blog: http://barrywelch.typepad.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/barrywelch
About FurnishWEB
FurnishWEB was developed by Barry Welch, founder and president of Internet Databases. It features sales force automation tools, online catalogs, online order processing, and an extensive furniture photo library. Launched in 2007, FurnishWEB's user-base includes over 2000 dealers, 450 sales reps, and 250 staff from the home furnishings industry. Welch has been developing software tools to serve the home furnishings industry for over a decade.
Website: http://www.furnishweb.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/FurnishWEB/92064340377
Twitter: http://twitter.com/furnishweb
Handshake 2.0: http://www.handshake20.com/furnishweb
Contact:
Barry Welch, President and CEO
Internet Databases
2000 Kraft Drive, Suite 2175
Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
540-443-9250
info@internetdatabases.com
(Blacksburg, VA) -- Internet Databases celebrated its ten-year anniversary on May 3, 2009.
At a time when the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that roughly six in ten businesses do not even make it to the four-year mark, Barry Welch, President, CEO, and founder of Internet Databases said, “We are both proud and grateful to celebrate this milestone.”
Internet Databases began as a custom web applications development company in 1999 while Barry's wife, Allison, was pregnant with their second child. “She got tired of hearing me talk about starting a business. She supported me 100% and felt I would regret it in the future if I didn't give starting my own company a good try.”
That year, Hooker Furniture became an Internet Databases client, setting the stage for what would become the focus of Welch’s work - developing web-based applications for the home furnishings industry.
In 2007, he made the switch from solely developing custom applications to releasing his first software product: FurnishWEB, an online data management system for the home furnishings industry. In 2008, he added his 20th client, Huntington Furniture.
When asked if there were surprises along the way, Barry Welch said, “I've been surprised by the amount of confidence and faith put into us by organizations much larger than ours. I've been surprised by how differently similar companies in the same industries operate. I've been surprised that people are interested in our story.”
Any company that stays in business 10 years is a story.
About Internet Databases
Internet Databases is a custom web development company founded in 1999 and located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, Blacksburg, Virginia.
Website: http://www.internetdatabases.com
Blog: http://barrywelch.typepad.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/barrywelch
About FurnishWEB
FurnishWEB was developed by Barry Welch, founder and president of Internet Databases. It features sales force automation tools, online catalogs, online order processing, and an extensive furniture photo library. Launched in 2007, FurnishWEB's user-base includes over 2000 dealers, 450 sales reps, and 250 staff from the home furnishings industry. Welch has been developing software tools to serve the home furnishings industry for over a decade.
Website: http://www.furnishweb.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/FurnishWEB/92064340377
Twitter: http://twitter.com/furnishweb
Handshake 2.0: http://www.handshake20.com/furnishweb
Contact:
Barry Welch, President and CEO
Internet Databases
2000 Kraft Drive, Suite 2175
Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
540-443-9250
info@internetdatabases.com
June 29, 2009
(Blacksburg, VA) – On June 4, VT KnowledgeWorks’ Director, Jim Flowers, shared the stage in Paris with Mme. Christine Lagarde, French Minister for the Economy, Industry, and Employment, as they honored the winning student team at the Annual Entrepreneurial Project Challenge at TELECOM Sud-Paris.
As part of their award, the winning students will enjoy a week of leisure and learning at VT KnowledgeWorks in Blacksburg, VA. Activities for their September stay include a welcome dinner courtesy of the Virginia Tech Office of Outreach and International Affairs, a two-day Founders’ Readiness Retreat at Mountain Lake Resort, on-the-job shadowing of company presidents in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, social time with Hokie Entrepreneurship Society student members, and, best of all, perhaps, tickets to the Virginia Tech-Marshall football game.
The team plans to work in Blacksburg next summer as they continue to prepare their business concept for funding and launch. VT KnowledgeWorks is already the summer work-home of two other student teams from TELECOM Sud-Paris, winners of earlier contests at the French high-tech institute.
Preliminary planning is underway to expand the international reach of VT KnowledgeWorks to include other countries in Europe and beyond. A combined event, including both student teams and tech-business trade missions, is scheduled for September, 2010.
“The market for technology-based businesses is global,” says Flowers. “By encouraging person-to-person overseas relationships for our local companies and entrepreneurial students we provide them with easier access to markets beyond our shores. Of course, the reverse is true as well. The dialogues also improve understanding of American markets for our foreign visitors. Everybody wins.”
To read more, click here.
VT KnowledgeWorks is a unique growth enhancement program open to entrepreneurs in the New River Valley and beyond. Acceleration center and incubation facilities are located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia. Programs for Members are divided into two categories according to the evolutionary status of the member company. Pre-Launch program components are carefully constructed to help market-worthy ventures organize, formulate strategy, obtain outside investment, and launch in an efficient manner. Enterprise class members benefit from emphasis on strategic support for ongoing growth, continuing intra-preneurship, and professional development for the corporate leader.
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).
(Blacksburg, VA) – On June 4, VT KnowledgeWorks’ Director, Jim Flowers, shared the stage in Paris with Mme. Christine Lagarde, French Minister for the Economy, Industry, and Employment, as they honored the winning student team at the Annual Entrepreneurial Project Challenge at TELECOM Sud-Paris.
As part of their award, the winning students will enjoy a week of leisure and learning at VT KnowledgeWorks in Blacksburg, VA. Activities for their September stay include a welcome dinner courtesy of the Virginia Tech Office of Outreach and International Affairs, a two-day Founders’ Readiness Retreat at Mountain Lake Resort, on-the-job shadowing of company presidents in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, social time with Hokie Entrepreneurship Society student members, and, best of all, perhaps, tickets to the Virginia Tech-Marshall football game.
The team plans to work in Blacksburg next summer as they continue to prepare their business concept for funding and launch. VT KnowledgeWorks is already the summer work-home of two other student teams from TELECOM Sud-Paris, winners of earlier contests at the French high-tech institute.
Preliminary planning is underway to expand the international reach of VT KnowledgeWorks to include other countries in Europe and beyond. A combined event, including both student teams and tech-business trade missions, is scheduled for September, 2010.
“The market for technology-based businesses is global,” says Flowers. “By encouraging person-to-person overseas relationships for our local companies and entrepreneurial students we provide them with easier access to markets beyond our shores. Of course, the reverse is true as well. The dialogues also improve understanding of American markets for our foreign visitors. Everybody wins.”
To read more, click here.
VT KnowledgeWorks is a unique growth enhancement program open to entrepreneurs in the New River Valley and beyond. Acceleration center and incubation facilities are located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia. Programs for Members are divided into two categories according to the evolutionary status of the member company. Pre-Launch program components are carefully constructed to help market-worthy ventures organize, formulate strategy, obtain outside investment, and launch in an efficient manner. Enterprise class members benefit from emphasis on strategic support for ongoing growth, continuing intra-preneurship, and professional development for the corporate leader.
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).
March 9, 2009
(Blacksburg, VA) – On Thursday, April 2, Ken Ray, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for AT&T Advertising Solutions will give the keynote address about Optimizing Customer Acquisition in a World of Media Fragmentation at the First Annual VT KnowledgeWorks Entrepreneurship Summit at The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center. After joining AT&T/BellSouth’s strategy organization in 1994, Ray moved through a series of operational assignments where he led teams of up to 4,000 people. Currently, Ray leads and serves in one of AT&T’s four major business units, Advertising Solutions, which has $5 billion annual revenues.
The Summit will run from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., including Ray’s presentation at 12:30 PM in Latham Ballroom at The Inn at Virginia Tech during lunch. This comprehensive workshop is custom designed for prospective company founders and entrepreneurs launching or re-vamping a business, and growing companies seeking expansion capital.
The schedule of events includes The Basics of Successful Entrepreneurship Workshop led by Jim Flowers, Director of VT KnowledgeWorks, and author of MOXIE and other fundamental entrepreneurial concepts from 8:30 to 11:00 AM. A Student Business Concept Competition will follow, as we all as CVG’s signature LiveFire! ™ at 1:30 PM, which brings companies in need of funding together with angel investors in real-life screening sessions.
Register online at www.vtknowledgeworks.com by Friday, March 27th. Just follow the headlines on the Home page to Entrepreneurship Summit. Because of the generous sponsorship of LeClairRyan, the fee for this full day event including the workshops, competitions, luncheon, and reception is only $50 and $25 for students.
Also, visit our website to learn how businesses can advertise in the program booklet. Contact Lindsey Eversole for details at 443-9100 or via email at lindsey.eversole@vtknowledgeworks.com.
VT KnowledgeWorks is a unique growth enhancement program open to entrepreneurs in the New River Valley and beyond. Acceleration center and incubation facilities are located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia. Programs for Members are divided into two categories according to the evolutionary status of the member company. Pre-Launch program components are carefully constructed to help market-worthy ventures organize, formulate strategy, obtain outside investment, and launch in an efficient manner. Enterprise class members benefit from emphasis on strategic support for ongoing growth, continuing intra-preneurship, and professional development for the corporate leader.
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).
(Blacksburg, VA) – On Thursday, April 2, Ken Ray, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for AT&T Advertising Solutions will give the keynote address about Optimizing Customer Acquisition in a World of Media Fragmentation at the First Annual VT KnowledgeWorks Entrepreneurship Summit at The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center. After joining AT&T/BellSouth’s strategy organization in 1994, Ray moved through a series of operational assignments where he led teams of up to 4,000 people. Currently, Ray leads and serves in one of AT&T’s four major business units, Advertising Solutions, which has $5 billion annual revenues.
The Summit will run from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., including Ray’s presentation at 12:30 PM in Latham Ballroom at The Inn at Virginia Tech during lunch. This comprehensive workshop is custom designed for prospective company founders and entrepreneurs launching or re-vamping a business, and growing companies seeking expansion capital.
The schedule of events includes The Basics of Successful Entrepreneurship Workshop led by Jim Flowers, Director of VT KnowledgeWorks, and author of MOXIE and other fundamental entrepreneurial concepts from 8:30 to 11:00 AM. A Student Business Concept Competition will follow, as we all as CVG’s signature LiveFire! ™ at 1:30 PM, which brings companies in need of funding together with angel investors in real-life screening sessions.
Register online at www.vtknowledgeworks.com by Friday, March 27th. Just follow the headlines on the Home page to Entrepreneurship Summit. Because of the generous sponsorship of LeClairRyan, the fee for this full day event including the workshops, competitions, luncheon, and reception is only $50 and $25 for students.
Also, visit our website to learn how businesses can advertise in the program booklet. Contact Lindsey Eversole for details at 443-9100 or via email at lindsey.eversole@vtknowledgeworks.com.
VT KnowledgeWorks is a unique growth enhancement program open to entrepreneurs in the New River Valley and beyond. Acceleration center and incubation facilities are located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia. Programs for Members are divided into two categories according to the evolutionary status of the member company. Pre-Launch program components are carefully constructed to help market-worthy ventures organize, formulate strategy, obtain outside investment, and launch in an efficient manner. Enterprise class members benefit from emphasis on strategic support for ongoing growth, continuing intra-preneurship, and professional development for the corporate leader.
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).
February 23, 2009
(Blacksburg, VA) – VT KnowledgeWorks and LeClairRyan present the First Annual VT KnowledgeWorks Entrepreneurship Summit on Thursday, April 2 at The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center, Blacksburg, VA. This comprehensive workshop is custom designed for prospective company founders and entrepreneurs launching or re-vamping a business, and growing companies seeking expansion capital.
The Summit will run from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., beginning with The Basics of Successful Entrepreneurship Workshop led by Jim Flowers, Director of VT KnowledgeWorks, and author of MOXIE and other fundamental entrepreneurial concepts. In this two-hour, interactive workshop, participants will explore the Four Fundamental Factors that govern entrepreneurial success and define the strategic essence of their new ventures.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to watch student finalists from regional universities present their entrepreneurial ideas, as well as witness CVG’s LiveFire! ™, which brings companies in need of funding together with angel investors in real-life screening sessions. The Summit luncheon with keynote speaker and late afternoon reception provide additional opportunities for entrepreneurs, businesses, students, educators, and investors to network.
Register online at www.vtknowledgeworks.com. Just follow the headlines on the Home page to Entrepreneurship Summit. Because of the generous sponsorship of LeClairRyan, the fee for this full day event including the workshops, competitions, luncheon, and reception is only $50 and $25 for students.
Also, visit our website to learn how businesses can advertise in the program booklet. Contact Lindsey Eversole for details at 443-9100 or via email at lindsey.eversole@vtknowledgeworks.com.
VT KnowledgeWorks is a unique growth enhancement program open to entrepreneurs in the New River Valley and beyond. Acceleration center and incubation facilities are located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia. Programs for Members are divided into two categories according to the evolutionary status of the member company. Pre-Launch program components are carefully constructed to help market-worthy ventures organize, formulate strategy, obtain outside investment, and launch in an efficient manner. Enterprise class members benefit from emphasis on strategic support for ongoing growth, continuing intra-preneurship, and professional development for the corporate leader.
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).
(Blacksburg, VA) – VT KnowledgeWorks and LeClairRyan present the First Annual VT KnowledgeWorks Entrepreneurship Summit on Thursday, April 2 at The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center, Blacksburg, VA. This comprehensive workshop is custom designed for prospective company founders and entrepreneurs launching or re-vamping a business, and growing companies seeking expansion capital.
The Summit will run from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., beginning with The Basics of Successful Entrepreneurship Workshop led by Jim Flowers, Director of VT KnowledgeWorks, and author of MOXIE and other fundamental entrepreneurial concepts. In this two-hour, interactive workshop, participants will explore the Four Fundamental Factors that govern entrepreneurial success and define the strategic essence of their new ventures.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to watch student finalists from regional universities present their entrepreneurial ideas, as well as witness CVG’s LiveFire! ™, which brings companies in need of funding together with angel investors in real-life screening sessions. The Summit luncheon with keynote speaker and late afternoon reception provide additional opportunities for entrepreneurs, businesses, students, educators, and investors to network.
Register online at www.vtknowledgeworks.com. Just follow the headlines on the Home page to Entrepreneurship Summit. Because of the generous sponsorship of LeClairRyan, the fee for this full day event including the workshops, competitions, luncheon, and reception is only $50 and $25 for students.
Also, visit our website to learn how businesses can advertise in the program booklet. Contact Lindsey Eversole for details at 443-9100 or via email at lindsey.eversole@vtknowledgeworks.com.
VT KnowledgeWorks is a unique growth enhancement program open to entrepreneurs in the New River Valley and beyond. Acceleration center and incubation facilities are located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia. Programs for Members are divided into two categories according to the evolutionary status of the member company. Pre-Launch program components are carefully constructed to help market-worthy ventures organize, formulate strategy, obtain outside investment, and launch in an efficient manner. Enterprise class members benefit from emphasis on strategic support for ongoing growth, continuing intra-preneurship, and professional development for the corporate leader.
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).