The winners of the 10th annual Maryland Incubator Company of the Year Awards were announced last Tuesday. The awards, presented by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), RSM McGladrey Inc., and Saul Ewing LLP were chosen by a selection committee comprised of venture capitalists and government and business leaders. They recognize the achievements of eight companies currently located in Maryland's incubators and one graduate company.
"The finalists and winners of this year's awards program demonstrate the success that can be achieved through Maryland's Incubator program," says Gov. Martin O'Malley. "I congratulate the winners and thank all participants for playing an integral role in keeping the State of Maryland at the forefront of the U.S. technology marketplace."
"To ensure that incubator companies continue to grow, the Governor has introduced InvestMaryland, a new initiative to promote jobs and spur innovation, and invested in job-creating tools like the Biotech Tax Credit, which has been increased to $8 million this year, created a Hiring Tax Credit to help businesses both large and small put Marylanders back to work, and developed a Small Business Loan Guaranty fund to help push small business lending. These award winners demonstrate the success of those State programs," adds Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Secretary Christian S. Johansson.
The winning companies were selected based on the organization's goals and its success in achieving their objectives. Judges considered factors such as technology or product development; proprietary intellectual property; increase in employee numbers; growth in revenue or earnings; engagement of significant customers and strategic partners; receipt of awards or grants; attraction of outside investors; innovation; self-sufficiency; impact on the region; and usage of the incubator's services.
The categories and award winners are:
Life Science Company of the Year �
CSA Medical Inc. (Emerging Technology Center, Baltimore) Created the CyroSpray Ablation System, a novel, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared energy based medical system that allows physicians to have the ability to quickly and easily freeze, destroy and remove unwanted tissue, freeing patients from discomfort and worry.
Information Technology Company of the Year �
Moodlerooms, Inc. (Emerging Technology Center, Baltimore) Created the world's most widely used open-source learning management system (Moodle) that offers educators fully supported, feature-rich learning management tools at a fraction of the cost.
Technology Service Company of the Year �
B&D Consulting, Inc. (Technical Innovation Center, Hagerstown) A veteran, Small Business Administration (SBA) certified 8(a) small disadvantaged business founded by security engineers and information security professionals with more than 20 years experience in providing security services and solutions for both government and Fortune 500 organizations.
New Incubator Company of the Year �
Kempbio, Inc. (Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc.) Specializes in the production of recombinant protein expression services which is used in the areas of drug discovery, vaccine research and diagnostic assays.
Technology Transfer Company of the Year �
FlexEl, LLC (Technology Advancement Program, University of Maryland College Park) Commercializing a low-cost, high energy density power source for use in devices that require thin, safe, lightweight and flexible batteries.
Homeland Security Company of the Year �
Lookingglass Cyber Solutions (Emerging Technology Center, Baltimore) A cyber security software company delivering vision awareness and intelligence beyond the traditional boundaries to protect enterprise networks and critical infrastructure. The company's core product, ScoutVision™, monitors impacts to critical communications networks during cyber attacks, power outages, terror attacks and natural disasters.
Graduate Company of the Year �
Get Real Consulting (Graduate of Shady Grove Innovation Center) Provides customized solutions to make cutting-edge technology user friendly through a cooperative approach to project management. The company has worked with clients such as the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Planned Parenthood and Kaiser Permanente to develop web applications that give patients more control of their personal health records.
Green Company of the Year (new category for 2010) �
Clean Currents (Rockville Innovation Center) Provides area businesses, residents, and institutions with innovative green solutions to today's most pressing environmental and energy challenges.
Robert A. Spar Hall of Fame �
Ception Therapeutics (Shady Grove Innovation Center) A biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes novel products to address areas of unmet medical needs. It offers Reslizumab for eosinophilic inflammatory conditions. The company also provides Anti-TNF, a class of small molecule anti-TNF receptor agents with the potential to be orally administered. As of April 5, 2010, Ception Therapeutics, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Cephalon Inc.
Source: Maryland Technology Development Corporation
Writer: Walaika Haskins