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The Chesapeake Innovation Center Announces the Defend America Challenge The selection committee, including John Belcher, CEO of ARINC, Christopher Foster, Deputy Secretary of Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, and Stephen Fredrick, a Principal at Grotech Capital Group, will review business plans and select the winners based upon innovation in technology and viability of the business. Committee members represent a variety of related industries including venture capital firms, CIC partners, university business schools, and other governmental and private organizations. "Our Defend America Challenge is designed to identify companies across the country who have developed the most innovative technology for defending our homeland," said Laura Neuman, Interim Executive Director for the CIC. "…participants business plans will be reviewed by leaders in the homeland security field, providing these entrepreneurs with a connection to some of the CIC ' s high-level partners." The Competition will utilize TechBridge, the innovative CIC program that matches emerging technology with market needs. Selected participants, regardless of outcome, will have the unique opportunity to gain access and exposure through TechBridge. “We are excited that we can contribute to safeguarding America by launching our annual Challenge on September 11 th ,” said Roger London, Director of Technology Scouting for the CIC. By teaming with key government agencies, private sector companies and educational institutions, the CIC has formed a world class network of resources in homeland and national security. "The Defend America Challenge is an important initiative in meeting the mission of the CIC," said Aaron J. Greenfield, President and CEO of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation and Chairman of the CIC Board of Directors." "By providing entrepreneur's access to CIC partners in the homeland and national security space, the CIC is further cementing the bridge between major users of security technology and small companies at the forefront of innovation." The judging of six semi-finalists will take place before a live audience on January 19, 2007. Cash and in-kind prizes, provided by contest sponsors, will be awarded to the winner and one runner-up. Business executive summaries can be submitted online at www.cic-tech.org . All executive summaries must be submitted on or before November 15, 2006. Twenty five companies will be invited to submit a full business plan by December 15 and finalists will be notified by December 31, 2006.For further information please visit http://www.cic-tech.org or call Caitlin McNiff at 410-224-2030. About Chesapeake Innovation Center (CIC) The Chesapeake Innovation Center , located in the "informatics corridor" of Anne Arundel County , Maryland , is a business accelerator that focuses the power of entrepreneurship on America ' s national security requirements. By creating a bridge between major users of security technology and small companies at the forefront of innovation, the CIC, its partners and member companies are able to offer significant advancements in the areas of informatics, xxxx, physical and cyber security technologies. The CIC has partnerships strategic to America ' s national security which include public and private sector entities. CIC identifies and screens early stage technology companies and connects those that match the criteria to a valuable network of industry leading partners in these sectors. Current partners include Northrop Grumman Corporation, ARINC, the National Security Agency and Athlone Global Security. Founding sponsors include DLA Piper Rudnick and Sidus Group. CIC mentors member companies and assists them with customer contracts, funding, staffing, subject matter experts, clearances, government contracting issues, and office facilities. The CIC is the intersection of innovation, patriotism and capitalism.
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