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Tech Launch forum in Sun Valley, ID advances S&T business proposals – ECO Research wins $5K prize

Six emerging technology companies presented plans at Idaho’s inaugural Tech Launch 1.0 conference, an entrepreneurial forum to develop business in the state.

The forum, held in late June in Sun Valley, attracted nearly 80 attendees and represented technologies ranging from agricultural food products to Internet gaming.

Larry Haley of ECO Research of Nampa delivered the prize-winning business plan that offers the ECO 100 Sprinkler Optimizer, which aids home owners to efficiently manage watering operations based on changing climate conditions. “The honest and unbiased feedback in Idaho Tech Launch 1.0 provided important insights to me,” Haley said. The ECO 100 uses a computer calculation based on temperature and solar radiation to determine water needs.

The Idaho National Environmental and Engineering Laboratory Royalty Fund and the Idaho Economic Development Association sponsored the $5,000 award.

“Tech Launch 1.0 was very successful. Our first forum attracted interesting technologies and high quality business presentations. We are looking to attract venture capitalists as we repeat this forum with Tech Launch 2.0 in 2005 at Sun Valley,” said Bill Sellers, Director, TechConnect East and one of the key organizers.

Lt. Gov. Jim Risch and Karl Tueller, Executive Director of the Office of Science and Technology, opened the forum noting Idaho’s changing economic and business landscape. Risch cited the growing S&T sector in Idaho and the importance of America’s entrepreneurial spirit in creating key advances. He also promised that Idaho and its leaders would “continue working to enhance the business friendly climate.” Tueller cited key startup enterprises and the maturing S&T enterprises in the state, which have made dramatic changes in Idaho’s growing economy.

Other companies making presentations during the one-day forum were:
• Smartplugs of Sandpoint, Idaho, an invention to replace the 140-year-old sparkplug (presented by Dieter Gredeik);

• Clearwater AX International of Genessee, Idaho, growing and marketing fresh green cicer (garbanzo) beans (presented by Doug Moser);

• ZoMag of Nampa, Idaho, which makes Hyperion, a computer chip testing technology, (presented by Terry Gafron);

• Gemini Life Sciences of Rexburg, Idaho, uses a new technology to develop self-cloning plant systems (presented by Gordon Reese); and

• GamerZunion of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, an Online multiple gaming service (presented by Nate Brantingham).

“Idaho is a fertile area for ideas, technology development and launching of S&T businesses,” Tueller said. “Idaho is ready to do business and offers a friendly climate to launch enterprises.”

Sponsors of the forum included the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor, Idaho’s TechConnect offices (East, West, North), the Idaho National Environmental and Engineering Laboratory, the Idaho Economic Development Association, Battelle Energy Alliance, Bechtel and the T.E.A.M.S. organization of Boise State University.

The 20-minute business presentations were delivered and followed by questions from a six-judge panel of S&T business planning experts. After lunch, these judges provided a more detailed critique with advice on improvements. The day ended with presenters having the opportunity to question the judges about content, techniques, and business principles.

The day was punctuated with a luncheon speech by Don Kelly, CEO of Intellectual Asset Management Associates in Northern Virginia and a former senior assistant to several commissioners of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. An intellectual property consultant, author and registered patent prosecutor, Kelly presented a compilation of advice from successful entrepreneurs to inventors and business people. Outlining a dozen tips on gaining traction with inventions, he advised forum attendees not to procrastinate and to get expert assistance in fulfilling requirements for patent and trademark registrations.

For more information contact Keith Arterburn, [email protected] or 208-526-4845, Bill Sellers, Director, TechConnect East ([email protected] 208-523-9898), Rick Ritter, Director, TechConnect West, ([email protected]), or Hank Artis, Director, TechConnect North ([email protected], 208-262-2039).

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