Friday, April 30, 2010

Upcoming meetups - Sharepoint,Mobile Monday,Design on a Dime and more





posted by Ben Blanquera at 6:48 AM 0 Comments

Ohio Third Frontier's Tech Incubators are Key to Success for Ohio Entrepreneurs


Ohio Third Frontier is a key source of funding and support for Ohio entrepreneurs and business startups across the state. Through its six regional Entrepreneurial Signature Program (ESP) lead organizations and 13 Edison Technology Incubators, the Ohio Third Frontier program, an unprecedented and bipartisan commitment to create new technology-based products, companies, industries and jobs, helps translate innovative ideas into investment-worthy companies through business assistance and pre-seed investments in startup companies.

"The outcome is a stronger technology economy creating new high wage jobs in our community," said Chris Anderson, director of venture development outreach at TechColumbus, Ohio Third Frontier's Central Ohio ESP organization.

TechColumbus is just one example of how the regional Entrepreneurial Signature Program organizations are providing the resources Ohio entrepreneurs need – from startup to commercialization. One of the businesses that credits much of its success to the Ohio Third Frontier's Entrepreneurial Signature Program and TechColumbus is InsightETE.

InsightETE provides technology solutions that measure and troubleshoot IT system performance by monitoring the flow of information to and from IT users. Its clients include large companies and organization such as JPMorgan Chase, Sterling Commerce and the State of Ohio.

"Ohio Third Frontier has provided InsightETE with the opportunity to grow its company and to turnaround and transition into a very successful technology company by hiring people with the right skills by incentivising investors to invest in our company and by exposing us to potential clients that can help us grow our company," said RC Wheeless, president and chief executive officer of InsightETE. "At the end of the day its about creating jobs. It's about growing the central Ohio tax base and getting people employed."

Ohio Third Frontier's Entrepreneurial Signature Programs have a track record of success. According to the 2009 "Making an Impact" report conducted by SRI, from 2007 to 2008, Ohio's six regional Entrepreneurial Signature Program organizations invested $36 million in direct business assistance and pre-seed capital funding to 81 companies which then resulted in product sales, follow-on investment, and funding totaling $145 million.

Through 2008 Ohio's 13 Edison Technology Incubators have supported 270 startup companies, which reported $262.2 million in product sales, research grant awards and other revenue, and $120.8 million in equity investments by private investors, venture capital funds and others.

"The growth of Ohio's technology-based companies is creating employment opportunities for existing workers that are transitioning to the new economy as well as those new to the workforce," said Norm Chagnon, executive director of the Ohio Third Frontier Commission. "Ohio Third Frontier's investments in these companies' research, development, and capital infrastructure, aligned with Ohio's educational programs focused on technological excellence, creates an environment where young people and existing workers are prepared to fill the jobs of the future enabling them to remain in Ohio."

Since its inception, the Ohio Third Frontier has created, capitalized or attracted more than 600 companies, has created nearly 55,000 direct and indirect jobs and helped create $6.6 billion in economic impact in Ohio, a 9:1 return on investment.

More information about Ohio Third Frontier's impact on Ohio entrepreneurs can be found by viewing the video at http://ohiomeansbusiness.com/newsroom/multimedia-library/video-archive/index.php

Additional information about Ohio Third Frontier can be found at www.OhioThirdFrontier.com.

SOURCE Ohio Business Development Coalition

Back to top RELATED LINKS
http://www.ohiomeansbusiness.com

posted by Ben Blanquera at 6:45 AM 0 Comments

Top Digital, Interactive Talent Receive Inaugural Ohio Interactive Awards

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Individuals, businesses and universities across Ohio were recognized this evening as the state's top digital and interactive talent at the inaugural Ohio Interactive Awards at the Arena Grand Theatre, in Columbus.

Awards in five categories—Advertising, Sectors/Industry, Social Web, Best Integrated Campaign and the Best Use of New Technology—went to the following:

  • Resource Interactive for the best use of mobile marketing for an advertising or promotional campaign.
  • Ologie for the advertising or promotional campaign that best displays the most consistent message and complementary use of media.
  • Fourth Floor Interactive for the best website in an industry or sector not included in other categories and the best use of blogs to promote an organization, product or cause.
  • GSW Worldwide for the best use of an emerging technology for an advertising or promotional campaign.
  • The Ohio State University for the best use of social media not included in other categories.
  • huber + co. interactive for the best online buying experience and the best use of Twitter to promote an organization, product or cause.
  • TRIAD Communications for the best email marketing for an advertising or promotional campaign, the best web-based game for an advertising or promotional campaign and the best charity or not-for-profit website.
  • Best Light Video for the best use of a web-based video for an advertising or promotional campaign.
  • Webbed Marketing for the best paid online advertising campaign resulting in increased web traffic and conversions and the best use of a social network to promote an organization, product or cause.

Additionally, Bill Balderaz of Webbed Marketing (Columbus) received the Interactive Marketer of the Year award and TRIAD Communications (Cuyahoga Falls) won the Interactive Agency of the Year award.

Winners were chosen by a panel of marketing industry leaders who based their judging on strategy, execution and results.

Founding sponsors were huber + co. interactive, TeamBuilder Search and 247 INTERACTIVE. The promotion sponsors were TechColumbus and Kessel Communications. Event sponsors were Resource Interactive, Paul Werth Associates and CRM Metrix.

The Ohio Interactive Awards bring attention to the outstanding digital and interactive work being done in the State of Ohio. Detailed information on the awards can be found at www.ohiointeractiveawards.com.

SOURCE Ohio Interactive Awards

Back to top RELATED LINKS
http://ohiointeractiveawards.com

posted by Ben Blanquera at 6:41 AM 0 Comments

JumpStart: IdeaExchange Blog » Blog Archive » New Help for Minority & Inner City Entrepreneurs in Ohio

JumpStart: IdeaExchange Blog » Blog Archive » New Help for Minority & Inner City Entrepreneurs in Ohio

JumpStart, in collaboration with Governor Ted Strickland, and the State of Ohio Minority Enterprise Division, recently kicked off an exciting new initiative called Launch100 which seeks to create a pipeline of 100 high potential minority and inner city based businesses across Ohio over the next 5 years. If the turnout at the event, which exceeded 250 attendees, as well as the interest that has followed is any indication of the potential of this initiative, we are even more excited about the opportunities for growth and expansion throughout our region.

Launch100 Initiative Open HouseMuch has been written over the past few years about the economic opportunity that exists for our community if we had more of our region’s citizens participating in high growth entrepreneurship. In short, higher growth emerging businesses simply create more jobs. The challenge has been that many of our region’s entrepreneurs, specifically ethnic minority populations and firms based in lower income census tracks commonly referred to as the inner city, have not participated equally in the types of growth opportunities attractive to angel and venture capital investment. Absent this critical component of early-stage funding, these entrepreneurs have been led to the types of businesses that generally did not require much capital which in turn led to a greater propensity of lower growth service oriented businesses. While smaller firms have always been, and will always be a critical component of our economy, even a modest increase in more diverse businesses growing larger scale operations can have a dramatic impact on job creation for all of our region’s citizens.


click here to read more


posted by Ben Blanquera at 6:38 AM 0 Comments

Pinnacle Data turns a profit in 1Q - Business First of Columbus:

Pinnacle Data turns a profit in 1Q - Business First of Columbus:

Pinnacle Data Systems Inc. started off on the right foot in its effort to return to profitability this year,

The Groveport information technology business told investors this week it earned $309,000, or 4 cents a share, compared with a loss of $701,000, or 9 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue fell 19 percent to $8.8 million from $10.9 million.

Pinnacle in the past year has taken aggressive steps to cut costs and boost earnings, including eliminating dozens of employees, shaking up its top-level management and focusing on business lines with higher profit margins. Pinnacle’s gross margin last quarter was 24 percent, the highest level in more than two years, the company said.

Pinnacle (AMEX:PNC) last year lost $3.5 million on $35.6 million in revenue. The company designs and builds computer systems and provides IT management services.


posted by Ben Blanquera at 6:36 AM 0 Comments

Thursday, April 29, 2010

BPL Global - (with offices in Westerville Ohio) - leads the list of fastest growing green and clean tech companies in Eastern North America


(thanks Jeff Tolnar - CTO BPL Global for sharing this info with us)

Smart grid technology company BPL Global leads the list of fastest growing green and clean tech companies in Eastern North America

BOSTON, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- AlwaysOn, the leading producer of world-class conferences for venture investors and entrepreneurs of emerging private companies, today announced the winners of the second annual GoingGreen East 50 Awards. Topping the 2010 list is BPL Global, a smart grid solutions provider enabling power utilities to transition to a more intelligent grid. The AlwaysOn Going Green East 50 represent a wide variety of emerging growth companies across the industry, including companies in energy management, energy storage, green transportation, green materials and building, life-sciences, water treatment and technologies, biofuels, solar energy, and other clean energy technologies. The full list can be viewed online here.

GoingGreen East 50 winners are selected by AlwaysOn editors in collaboration with KPMG. Judging criteria included market opportunity, nature of innovation, media buzz and awareness, commercialization and ability to create stakeholder value. The companies must also be located in the Eastern United States and Canada.

"The companies who comprise the AlwaysOn GoingGreen East 50 are leading the clean and green tech revolution by combining creativity with practical businesses solutions," said Tony Perkins, founder and editor of AlwaysOn. "These innovative leaders all have the potential to be 'the next big thing' and we are excited to see what the future holds for each of them."

"The BPL Global team is honored to be recognized among so many outstanding companies," said Keith Schaefer, President and CEO, BPL Global. "The quality of technology in the Greentech industry has reached the tipping point where it can economically displace traditional technologies with clean alternatives. We appreciate the contributions of AlwaysOn to highlight leading companies like BPL Global with transformational technologies."

GoingGreen East 50 winners will be honored at the AlwaysOn GoingGreen East Conference to be held March 8-10, 2010, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston. This two-and-a-half day executive conference will bring together innovators and VCs by offering presentations and high-level debates from CEOs, journalists, industry experts, investors, venture capitalists and greentech executives.

The current program for GoingGreen East 2010 can be found at http://alwayson.goingon.com/permalink/post/33696

For tickets to AlwaysOn GoingGreen East, please contact Jeannene Glass at jeannene@alwayson-network.com.

To register for a media pass, please visit: http://alwayson.goingon.com/permalink/post/30751.

About GoingGreen

Like its sister event in San Francisco, GoingGreen East is where cutting-edge greentech CEOs meet top investors and the movers and shakers from the biggest industries on earth. This two-and-a-half-day executive event features CEO presentations and high-level debates on the most promising emerging green technologies and new entrepreneurial opportunities. At GoingGreen East, our editors will honor the GoingGreen Top 50 Private Companies. Up to 50 greentech CEOs will also pitch their market strategies to a panel of industry experts in our CEO Showcases.

About AlwaysOn

AlwaysOn is the leading business media brand networking the Global Silicon Valley. AlwaysOn helped ignite the social media revolution in early 2003 when it launched the AlwaysOn network. In 2004, it became the first media brand to socially network its online readers and event attendees. AlwaysOn's preeminent executive event series includes the Summit at Stanford, OnMedia, OnHollywood, OnDC, OnDemand, Venture Summit Silicon Valley, Venture Summit East, GoingGreen, GoingGreen East, and GoingGreen Europe. The AlwaysOn network and live event series continue to lead the industry by empowering its readers, event participants, sponsors, and advertisers like no other media brand.

posted by Ben Blanquera at 9:08 AM 1 Comments

agileLUNCHBOX - What the Business Expects from Agile - link to recording

Yesterday there was a agileLunchbox session at OCLC entititled -

"What the Business Expects from Agile" - presented by Dave Ungar - here is link to recording of that session


https://oclc.webex.com/oclc/lsr.php?AT=pb&SP=MC&rID=39949302&rKey=779cf4bc0ac2635a


Does "Doing Agile" make you agile? Only if you're delivering value to the business. "Agile" is a culture as well as a set of practices and tools. Tools are helpful, but you can't passively expect to drop the tools into place and be successful - it's people that deliver value. Going beyond the methods and tools of Agile, Dave Ungar will discuss the business side of development; How a business can plan and make commitments within an agile culture. This session will cover expectations and examples that allow development and business to work together and effectively plan and use their resources to deliver true business value.


About the Speaker:

Dave Ungar, PMP, is a suit who embraces agile principles. He has been managing agile projects for five years and incorporating agile practices into project teams for eight years. Dave's current role at OCLC is to manage the operations and execution of product strategy for library management services "in the cloud." With over 20 years of experience developing and managing business applications, Dave has the perspectives of all stakeholders in mind. Dave lives in Clintonville and is an active organizer in the Columbus Techlife community.


posted by Ben Blanquera at 6:13 AM 0 Comments

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Open Position - ZNode Technical Support Engineer


Job Description
Technical Support Engineer

Znode is looking to hire a Technical Support Engineer for its Columbus, OH location. This person will be expected to provide world-class technical support for Znode ecommerce software products.

Znode Inc is an ecommerce software company located in Columbus, Ohio. Znode’s industry leading software products are used by leading brands world-wide.

Summary:

Provide functional and technical support for Znode’s ecommerce software products

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned as required.

· Provide client support and technical issue resolution for Znode’s ecommerce software products via E-Mail, phone and other electronic medium

· Advise clients on Znode coding best practices

· Installation of Znode products

· Communicate to customers the steps necessary to maintain and update software products

· Identify and correct or advise, on operational issues in client computer systems

· Provide feedback and status reports


click here to read more

posted by Ben Blanquera at 9:23 PM 0 Comments

Meet the companies of the Dublin Entrepreneur Center

These companies are furthering one of the best attributes of the Dublin community: its innovative, vibrant, creative and educated talent pool. Meet the tenants of the DEC:

Photo of 3LP Advisors
3LP Advisors
3LP Advisors provides patent strategy and transaction services for technology driven organizations.
Tony Trippe
Suite 409
Website: http://www.3lpadvisors.com/
Photo of Applied Engineering Solutions
Applied Engineering Solutions
Provides engineering support services specializing in product and systems design that spans concept inception to delivery of commercializeable products for academic, commercial and military customers.
Dave Guza
Suite 405
Website: http://www.appliedengineeringsolutionsllc.com/
Photo of Avitae - Vitality Distributing
Avitae - Vitality Distributing
ávitae provides a new and better alternative to soft drinks and plain bottled water: Purified water with 45 mg. of natural caffeine. Tastes like purified water.
Brian and Melissa Pitzer
Suites 212 - 219
Website: http://www.avitae45.com
Photo of Brand Thunder
Brand Thunder
Brand Thunder creates extreme makeovers for Web browsers, which give major brands a persistent and dynamic communication channel to their online consumers.
Patrick Murphy
Suite 401
Website: http://www.brandthunder.com
Photo of Center for Innovative Food Technology
Center for Innovative Food Technology
The Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT) at EISC Inc., one of the State of Ohio’s seven Edison Technology Centers, assists food and agribusinesses in strengthening their competitiveness by developing and adapting emerging technologies and best pra
Stephanie Smith
Suite 404
Website: http://www.cift.eisc.org/
Photo of Clarion of America Corp.
Clarion of America Corp.
Open the Future. Make it real – Clarion – interfacing humans with music and media in a mobile environment.
Ed Root and Paul Tannehill
Suite 301
Website: http://www.clarion.com/us/en/top.html
Photo of Club Z Tutoring
Club Z Tutoring
In-Home Tutoring all subjects K-12 including ACT/SAT test prep and Study Skills.
Michael Brothers
Suite 402
Website: http://www.clubztutoring.com/buckeye
Photo of Eco Chem Alternative Fuels
Eco Chem Alternative Fuels
We are a refining technology company that produces a new high performance green fuel.
Josh Koch
Suite 208
Photo of eData Mapping Solutions LLC
eData Mapping Solutions LLC
An EDI services company providing EDI Mapping, Training, Production Support, Implementation in Automotive, Supply Chain, Logistics, Healthcare and Financial industries
Lakshman Sandepogu
Suite 200C-2
Website: http://www.edatamapping.com
Photo of Evolved Energy Solutions
Evolved Energy Solutions
Evolved Energy Solutions Inc. provides commercial customers with lighting and control solutions to reduce energy use while improving the lighting environment.
Zack Griffin and Adam Partee
Suites 207 & 225
Website: http://www.evolvedes.com
Photo of Food2Dorm LLC
Food2Dorm LLC
Food2Dorm is a one of a kind online grocery store for college students, by college students.
Christopher Sammons
Suite 221
Website: https://www.food2dorm.com/index.asp
Photo of Get-U-Connected
Get-U-Connected
Connecting you to the products, services and influential people you need to help your business grow.
Chaz Freutel
Suite 410
Website: http://get-u-connected.com/
Photo of GreenCompass
GreenCompass
Consulting , training, and feedback services to help improve growth, retention and referrals from existing customer relationships.
Nate Nicholson
Suite 200M
Website: http://greencompass.com/
Photo of GREENPages
GREENPages
The "go to" publication for all that is green in the Columbus Region, including "how to" articles and business listings.
Chaz Freutel
Suite 209
Keihin North America
Keihin North America is a tier 1 supplier for Honda of America Manufacturing. We provide HVAC systems and engine-related equipment (Engine Control Units or ECU’s, as well as engine manifolds).
Ed Flanagan
Suite 302
Photo of Live the Source
Live the Source
World's first and only patented, fully nano-encapsulated liquid vitamin, mineral and herbal supplement.
Dr. Roger & Karen Boger
Suite 408
Website: http://www.livethesource.com/Networktocracy
Photo of Live the Source
Live the Source
We help people take action now for their health and future by marketing an innovative, 1st and only patented nano-encapsulated liquid vitamin with 90% absorption called Livethesource.
Marian Poeppelmeye
Suite 200L
Website: http://www.livethesource.com/5806960
Photo of Metro CD Engineering
Metro CD Engineering
Metro CD Engineering LLC is an electrical, HVAC and plumbing engineering consulting firm with a mission statement of "Engineering a Greener Tomorrow...Today."
Michael Chow
Suites 203,204,205,206
Website: http://metrocdengineering.com/
Photo of Network Logix
Network Logix
Network Logix provides “Technology As A Service” to small business and non-profits giving them the ability to become more productive, and more efficient while allowing them to focus on their core business.
Andrew Moon
Suite 414
Website: http://www.networklogix.com
Photo of Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition
Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition
The Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition is a united group of industry, academic, research entities and government leaders working collectively to strengthen Ohio's fuel cell industry and to accelerate the transformation of Ohio to global leadership in fuel cell tec
Pat Valente and Georgene Rusnak
Suite 413
Website: http://www.fuelcellcorridor.com/mc/page.do?sitePageId=105145
Photo of Oxiem Marketing Technology
Oxiem Marketing Technology
Oxiem Marketing Technology is an interactive marketing agency focusing on website development, search marketing campaigns and social media integration.
Billy Fischer and Crystal Olig
Website: http://www.oxiem.com
Photo of PC Help Express
PC Help Express
On-call computer experts available 24/7 to come to your home or office to solve your technology woes.
Joe Timmons
Suite 407
Website: http://www.pchelpexpress.com/
Photo of Resource 100
Resource 100
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Serving business and government, Resource100 LTD brings an integrated systems approach to help transform your waste into resources.
Mike Long
Suite 209
Photo of RFID Enabled Solutions
RFID Enabled Solutions
A global provider of unique business solutions that are focused on optimizing operations, reducing expenses and improving business processes using radio frequency identification or RFID.
Kurt Domini and Ryan Jones
Suite 412
Website: http://www.rfidenabledsolutions.com/
Photo of Salvato & Associates
Salvato & Associates
We can take you from Concept to Commercialization - no matter where you are in the process. Our experience is in the planning, execution and analysis of startups.
Jack Salvato
Suite 200F
Website: http://www.salvatoandassociates.com/
Photo of Social Boomerang
Social Boomerang
Social Boomerang is an interactive agency using social media, strategy, web, technology and marketing to create and execute a branded digital presence.
Sandy Blanquera
Suite 418
Website: http://www.socialboomerang.com
Photo of Socius
Socius
Socius provides comprehensive software solutions and services that help companies compete more successfully in today’s economy and leverage technology to accelerate their growth and profitability.
Jeff Geisler
Suite 300
Website: http://www.socius1.com/
Photo of Spark Production
Spark Production
Spark Production is setting the standard for component and solar-panel mounting systems in the green energy market
Pat Preston
Suite 201
Website: http://www.sparkproduction.com/
Photo of Spatial Synergy Studio
Spatial Synergy Studio
Specializing in sustainable design and architecture for commercial and residential projects.
Meera Parthasarathy
Suite 203
TD Energy Management Solutions
An energy and lighting consulting company with manufacturer-direct connections to provide affordable energy savings solutions for a variety of clients including federal, state and military installations.
George Teynor and David Douglas
Suite 202
Website: http://td-ems.com/
Photo of TechColumbus
TechColumbus
TechColumbus runs a world-class technology business incubator and works with entrepreneurs and investors to develop and launch technology start-up companies, as well as grow young companies that will provide the jobs of tomorrow.
Rick Coplin
Suite 411
Website: http://www.techcolumbus.org
Tempest Networking LLC
Ingrid Fields
Suite 224
Photo of The Life Writer
The Life Writer
Capture, record and document an individual’s life story experience using the patented The Life Writer (TM) life writing and recording system.
Marc DeVincent
Suite 403
Website: http://www.thelifewriter.com
Photo of Tipping Point Renewable Energy
Tipping Point Renewable Energy
Our goal is to deliver the most energy per dollar spent. Tipping Point provides a set of solar and efficiency technologies that can meet all customer needs regardless of size or industry sector.
Eric Zimmer and Darin Hadinger
Suite 222
Website: http://www.tipenergy.com/
Photo of TOTAL SIM USA
TOTAL SIM USA
We are Fluid Dynamics experts specializing in Automotive and Motor Racing Aerodynamics, as well as specializing in support and training in the use of the open source CFD code OpenFOAM.
Ray Leto
Suite 415
Website: http://www.totalsim.us
Photo of VIVID FRONT
VIVID FRONT
Vivid Front is an integrated digital agency providing websites, interactive marketing, branding and strategy.
Andrew Spott
Suite 406
Website: http://www.vividfront.com

posted by Ben Blanquera at 9:19 PM 0 Comments