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Two Days Remain to Submit Defend America Challenge Business Plan Last Call for Top Prize of $50,000 ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 13, 2006) - - The Chesapeake Innovation Center (CIC), America's first business accelerator for homeland and national security, is issuing a last call for companies with innovative technology to take the Defend America Challenge. The competition is open to companies with a product or service specializing in the homeland or national security field. The grand prize is $50,000. CIC Executive Director Laura Neuman, created the Challenge to honor the five year anniversary of 9/11, "Our Defend America Challenge is designed to identify companies across the country that has developed the most innovative technology for defending our homeland," she said. Participants' business plans will be reviewed by leaders in the homeland security field and provide participating entrepreneurs with a connection to some of the CIC's high-level partners." The selection committee, includes John Belcher, CEO of ARINC, Christopher Foster, Deputy Secretary of Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Stephen Fredrick, a Principal at Grotech Capital Group and Elizabeth Good Mazhari Selected participants will have the unique opportunity to gain access and exposure to member mentor companies through TechBridge, the innovative CIC program that matches emerging technology with market needs. "By providing entrepreneurs 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," states Aaron J. Greenfield, President and CEO of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation and Chairman of the CIC Board of Directors." For further information or to submit an executive summary, go to www.defendamericachallenge.com . 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, energy, 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 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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