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Six Companies to Compete in the Defend America Challenge
Annapolis, MD (January 11, 2007) - - - Excitement is building for the six top companies in the Defend America Challenge , the Chesapeake Innovation Center's (CIC) national homeland security tech business plan competition, scheduled for January 19, 2007. The public is invited to a luncheon, followed by the competition, where the finalists will vie for two $50,000 prizes. Attendees will hear top national defense speakers, meet the hottest tech companies in the nation, and network with executives and officials from the industry. Finalists in the Defend America Challenge competition (listed below) will present their business plans before a panel of judges and a live audience. A Maryland Winner (selected earlier by a TEDCO investment selection committee) and a National Winner (selected during the event) will be announced at the end of the event. The CIC will present its first Defender of the Flag award to Jeff Chapman, Founder of Harbinger Technologies Group, in recognition of his efforts in response to 9/11 to develop innovative technology to help defend our homeland. The award will be presented by Admiral Hull, former Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area and Maritime Defense Zone Atlantic and current Homeland Security, National Defense, and Maritime Affairs consultant. “The competition has generated terrific interest”, said Laura Neuman, CIC interim executive director. “Selecting our finalists was a challenge in itself, since we received over 50 outstanding business plans from companies across the nation. We are looking forward to a wonderful event.” Luncheon speakers are Anirban Basu , CEO of Sage Policy Group and David Silverberg, Editor of Homeland Security Today . At 2:00 PM, County Executive John Leopold will open the competition with a short welcome to all. Speakers during the competition include Scott Borg, Director and Chief Economist of the U.S. Cyber Consequences Unit , and a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Digital Strategies , Tuck School of Business , Dartmouth College and Stephen M. Fredrick , a Principal at Grotech Capital, www.grotech.com , where he focuses on investment opportunities in the software, communications, and IT services sectors. The event is scheduled for January 19, 2007 at the Loews Annapolis Hotel. Luncheon begins at 12:30 PM, competition from 2 to 4:30 PM with a reception to follow. Tickets are $120 for the luncheon and competition; $70.00 for the competition only. Purchase tickets online at www.defendamericachallenge.com . For more information, contact the Chesapeake Innovation Center at 410-224-2030. DEFEND AMERICA FINALISTS: Armada Group, Inc .: provides law enforcement with a web-based in-cruiser and in-station application, called iLincs, that allows users to create sharable information and view disparate data faster and more effectively, without financial, technical, or geographical hurdles. iLincs has created dramatically improved crime fighting capabilities . It is used by over 40 law enforcement agencies, a 42-agency drug task force and is being piloted by a federal law enforcement agency. Keith Singleton, President & Founder, (614) 898-9700, Westerville , OH BioDefense Corporation: BioDefense™ technology is rapid, high-intensity decontamination technology that can be used for mail, currency and other paper items, food, medical waste and a number of other applications. George Li, Business Development Manager, (617) 778-1800, ext 268, Lexington , MA RiverGlass, Inc.: offers streaming data analytics solutions to help organizations gather, organize, merge and analyze data streams from disparate sources, including unstructured textual and visual data using accessible, proactive and adaptive tools . Rick McNees, VP of Business Development, (630) 578-4271, West Chicago , IL Scantech Holdings, LLC: provides research and development, engineers, assembles and markets the most sophisticated and least costly high-energy electron beam ( E-beam ) and X-ray inspection systems available in the world today. Dolan Falconer, President & CEO, (404) 526-6220, Atlanta , GA Sensics, Inc.: enables a new generation of virtual prototyping, training, visualization, entertainment, and remote presence applications, delivering upgradeable, lightweight, panoramic head-mounted displays that cover a wide range of performance and budget requirements. Yuval Boger, CEO, (410) 327 0822, Baltimore , MD TIRF Technologies: produces biosensor instruments and accessories that allow highly sensitive and selective detection of bimolecular interactions. These products target a broad market of researchers in academia, pharmaceutical industry and government. Alexander Asanov, President, (717) 350-5801, Morrisville , NC DEFEND AMERICA CHALLENGE SPONSORS: TEDCO – Technology Development Corporation Bringing innovation to Maryland by facilitating the transfer of technology from the lab to the private sector, and providing vital seed funding and technical assistance to researchers. Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Athlone Global Security Invests in emerging companies that have developed new Homeland Security Technologies with a wide commercial application. Next Century Corporation Applying technologies in innovative ways to provide actionable information to decision makers and thus enhance the security and well-being of our country. Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation Serves business needs and seeks to broaden Anne Arundel County 's economic base through job growth and investment. GOVSEC -- The Government Security Expo and Conference This Event addresses the needs of government officials at all levels charged with securing the homeland. Homeland Security Today Offering news, insights and analysis on the war on terror for Homeland security decision makers. The Daily Record Offering daily business and legal news from across the state of Maryland . The Cyphers Agency A comprehensive marketing and advertising firm that specializes in creating great brands. Round2 Communications Advertising and marketing specialists for today's high growth companies. DEFEND AMERICA JUDGES: J.G. (Johnny) Barnes John Belcher |Steve Walker Chris Foster Stephen Fredrick Steven Fritz, Ph.D. Gordon Hawke Erik Sebusch
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