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THE CHESAPEAKE INNOVATION CENTER COMPLETES AFFILIATE PROGRAM WITH FINLAND ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 19, 2008) - - - Five technology companies from Finland have recently completed a specially designed Affiliate Member program with The Chesapeake Innovation Center (CIC). The six-month program provided participants with a better understanding of doing business with the United States homeland and national security marketplace. The CIC, Anne Arundel County’s business incubator, is America’s first business accelerator for homeland and national security. “This special program highlights the Chesapeake Innovation Center’s ability to find innovative technology that can serve the needs of our defense industry,” said Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold. “The CIC was selected for this program based upon its expertise in matching early stage technology companies with large Anne Arundel County business customers in the high-technology and security markets.” The adapted Affiliate Member program began in November of 2007 and was a collaboration between Tekes, the Finnish funding agency for technology and innovation, and the CIC. Participating Finnish companies, identified by Tekes, traveled to the U.S. for two, week-long sessions organized by the CIC. The companies met with homeland security market experts and CIC Partners including the Northrop Grumman Corporation, The Boeing Company, and ARINC Incorporated. During this program the companies learned how to prepare their products for market and plan their entry. The companies were able to test their products for the market through the CIC’s Techbridge program which matches major users of technology with small companies at the forefront of innovation. Companies also met with various officials from the State of Maryland and the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation. The last part of the program included attendance and exhibit space at GovSec in Washington, D.C., a conference for government security professionals that attracted nearly 6,000 attendees. “The Finish companies participated in an intense and hands-on program where they learned a great deal about strategies for entering into the U.S. market,” said Sarah Djamshidi, CIC Executive Director. “This program also created an opportunity for CIC partners to access innovative technologies and companies from around the globe,” Djamshidi continued. “The CIC/Tekes partnership has worked beautifully,” said Peter Westerstrahle, Head of Tekes Washington, DC office. “The CIC was instrumental in helping Tekes further its mission by helping these five Finnish Companies with their U.S. market strategies. I am looking forward to continuing our relationship.” Through job creation and technology innovation, this program provides a potential long term economic development opportunity as these companies consider a presence in Anne Arundel County. “The State of Maryland and Anne Arundel County are rich with resources for young fledgling companies,” said Robert Hannon, Chairman of the CIC Board of Directors. “I am most appreciative of the experts and officials who participated in this program.” The companies that participated in the CIC special Affiliate Member program are: Clarified Networks providing innovative data capturing, analyzing, and collaboration solutions that help in finding relevant network flows from a large amount of captured data. Elektrobit Corporation (EB) specializing in demanding, embedded software and hardware solutions for automotive and wireless technologies. LIFA AIR, Ltd. specializing in indoor air quality. The two main focuses are ventilation hygiene and building protection. Mirasys Ltd. specializing in digital video management and recording solutions for the security industry. Mirasys products are based on modern software architecture, taking full advantage of modularity, standard platforms and open interfaces at all levels of the system. NetHawk a leading telecom equipment manufacturer with products that include protocol analyzers, simulators, and RF parameter readers.
“The program was well planned and professionally executed. The speakers were clearly authentic experts.”
The CIC’s established partnerships with The Boeing Company, ARINC, NSA, Northrop Grumman, and Athlone Global Security have provided support and access to the marketplace for CIC Member Companies. Currently, there are seven Resident Member Companies and seven Affiliate Member Companies at the CIC. Since it was launched in 2003, five early stage technology companies have graduated from the CIC to become successful companies. About Tekes
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