Texas Business Accelerator Hosts Largest Presentation of Emerging Technology
Companies in the Gulf Coast Region
Governor Rick Perry to Announce Three New Texas Emerging Technology Fund
Awardees
HOUSTON, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Houston Technology Center (HTC), a
business accelerator that assists emerging technology companies, is hosting 80
local companies to assist them in accelerating the commercialization of their
technologies. The companies are presenting their latest technologies during
the Gulf Coast Innovation Conference & Showcase at the Hilton Americas.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090604/AQ28157LOGO)
Governor Rick Perry will announce three new Texas Emerging Technology Fund
(ETF) awardees that have received pre-seed commercialization awards in the
amount of $250,000 from the ETF. These recipients may be eligible to receive
up to $1 million in assistance from the ETF and include LaserGen, Inc., Qcue,
Inc. and Shape Memory Therapeutics, Inc.
"Since its inception, the ETF has galvanized the research environment in our
state by harnessing Texans' amazing ideas and encouraging even greater efforts
to inquire, innovate and invest," Governor Perry said. "These investments make
a difference not only by creating cures for diseases, therapies for
afflictions and technologies that make life easier, but also by growing
companies and allowing Texans to earn a living to support their families."
LaserGen, Inc. is a Houston-based biotechnology company commercializing a
next-generation DNA sequencing chemistry that will improve sequencing quality
and reduce costs by orders of magnitude.
Qcue, Inc. develops dynamic pricing software that helps sports and
entertainment organizations adjust ticket prices to evolving market
conditions. Customers include the San Francisco Giants and Dallas Stars.
Shape Memory Therapeutics, Inc. is a medical device company founded to
commercialize innovative medical devices based on shape memory polymer
materials developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Texas A&M
University.
"It is our pleasure to congratulate these new awardees. To date, 30 Gulf Coast
companies have received ETF awards making a tangible impact on our region,"
said Walter Ulrich, president and chief executive officer of HTC. "This year's
event features a variety of companies and their innovative technologies
representing the Gulf Coast and key sectors including Energy, Life Sciences,
Information Technology, Nanotechnology and Aerospace technologies."
The ETF is a $200 million initiative created by the Texas Legislature in 2005
at the governor's request, and reauthorized in 2007 and recently again with
$203.5 million for the 2010-2011 biennium. The 17-member advisory committee of
high-tech leaders, entrepreneurs and research experts reviews potential
projects and recommends funding allocations to the governor, lieutenant
governor and speaker of the House. To date, the ETF has allocated more than
$110 million in funds to 89 early stage companies.
About the Houston Technology Center
The Houston Technology Center (HTC) is a business accelerator that assists
Houston-based emerging technology companies within several key sectors:
Energy, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Nanotechnology and Aerospace
technologies. HTC serves as the Gulf Coast Regional Center of Innovation and
Commercialization for the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, helping small to
mid-size companies expedite the commercialization of new technologies. For
more information, visit www.houstontech.org.
About the Gulf Coast RCIC
HTC serves as the Gulf Coast Regional Center of Innovation and
Commercialization (Gulf Coast RCIC) for Texas Governor Rick Perry's Emerging
Technology Fund, assisting small to mid-size technology firms expediting the
commercialization of new life-changing inventions and improving research at
Texas universities. For detailed information about the ETF and upcoming
deadlines, visit the Gulf Coast RCIC web site at www.gulfcoastrcic.org.
Media Contacts:
Deena Carstens Sarah Miller
Houston Technology Center Pierpont Communications, Inc.
(832) 476-9235 (713) 627-2223, ext. 1155
dcarstens@houstontech.org smiller@piercom.com
SOURCE Houston Technology Center
Deena Carstens of Houston Technology Center, +1-832-476-9235,
dcarstens@houstontech.org; or Sarah Miller of Pierpont Communications, Inc.,
+1-713-627-2223, ext. 1155, smiller@piercom.com, for Houston Technology
Center
