* More than 84 past competitors at the annual Rice Business Plan Competition have successfully launched their companies and are in operation today, raising more than $145 million in early stage funding.

* 228 teams have competed at the Rice Business Plan competition since 2001; 37% are successful and in operation

* In the last 12 months, past competitors have raised over $55 million in investment

* 14 companies have raised greater than one million dollars in 2008-2009 alone

* Five past competitors subsequently received funding from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (ETF) 

* In 2008, at least 25 of the 36 teams (69%) launched their companies after competing at Rice

* The percentage of teams that go on to successfully launch their company has risen each year

* 2008 teams have raised nearly $12 million in the past 12 months

Not an academic exercise

The Rice Business Plan Competition is much more than an academic endeavor. The goal of the competition is to help launch the most promising companies and provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the mentoring and access to funding they need for success.

Successful start-ups from 2008 include MicroTransponder, developing a wireless neurostimulation technology platform for the treatment of chronic pain and several other neurological indications.  The company has licensed technology from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Another successful start-up from 2008 is qcue, which provides dynamic ticket pricing to primary sellers.  qcue won the competition last year, and recently announced a relationship with the San Francisco Giants baseball franchise.

Investment opportunities
In 2007, 62% of our judges said that they were considering investing in one of the companies they saw at the competition or had recommended one of the companies to an investor in their network. Judges at the RBPC have invested in and supported several past competitors, including: ClearCount Medical Solutions, CorInnova, OrthoAccel, Auditude, Advanced Transit Dynamics, Lumedyne Technologies, Jet Yi, Mi Viejita, and Osio.

ATDynamics, Inc. (Originally “Advanced Transit Enterprises”) continues to push forward its mission to dramatically improve the fuel efficiency of the freight transportation industry.  ATDynamics’ TrailerTail® aerodynamics technology for tractor-trailers, presented at the Rice Business Plan Competition in 2006, is on the road reducing the fuel consumption of long-haul trucking fleets.  The company is a revenue-generating operation and has an expanded aerodynamics product line with the potential to save the US trucking industry greater than $1 billion in fuel annually.  Given the cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits of trailer aerodynamics technology, the State of California is now seeking to require aerodynamic equipment on all long-haul trailers entering the state.  The company is closing Series B funding in the spring of 2009 – the second funding round which will include the ongoing participation of the Goose Society members who awarded the first investment prize to the company.

AEMK Systems is a leading provider of high-speed, vision-based robotics systems for industrial automations, food industry, packaging, and automated warehousing. AEMK Cable robots are manufactured with food graded materials for packaging and processing of food products such as frozen food, cookies, and fresh vegetables.

The patented cable robots of AEMK Systems with innovative vision links are cost effective solutions for flexible automation in many applications. The combination of ultra high-speed robotics and vision eliminates the need for fixtures and dedicated material handling devices, resulting in more economical and versatile solutions.

Arcxis Biotechnologies is dedicated to the invention, development and distribution of products designed for the preparation of life science samples, subsequent DNA sequence detection and protein measurement. Arcxis’ innovative products deliver to the arena of life sciences (research/clinical and diagnostic) easier, faster and more reliable solutions, providing cost effective analysis.

Arcxis released its’ first product in 2007. This is an automated instrument to co-process multiple samples for the extraction and purification of nucleic acids.  Arcxis continues to develop new technologies for sample prep and detection.

Arcxis has recently completed the first close of its Series B round.  The funds will enable Arcxis to accelerate development, testing and commercialization of thier innovative nucleic acid sample preparation platform and their nxt generation sample to answer clinical molecular diagnostic platform.  Additionally, Arcxis has been awarded Phase I and II awards from the Department of Homeland Security for its development of the BioPhalanx.

Auditude helps content owners manage and sell ads on their distributed videos, publishers grow high-value inventory for buyers, and advertisers target premium video online. By combining our ad platform with our identification system, we simplify monetization of online video.

Auditude has raised $10.5 million funding round from Redpoint Ventures and existing investor Greylock Partners. This brings the company's total funding to $23 million.

Auditude has started powering a broader variety of video ads on MySpace and its MySpace Music product, as well as partnered with Warner Bros. Entertainment. More content deals are on the way.

Ceon, after being inspired from 2005 Rice Business Plan competition, launched their company Ceon Solutions Ltd. Today they are doing very well, and they have been incubated by India's top B-School IIM-Ahmedabad. Starting days at Ceon were tough, but now they are on the growth path and expected to grow to 100 people in 2008, $2-3M revenue, and market the product in 3-4 countries.

Ceon has grown to 36 people and has raised funding of around $1 Million. They earned total revenue of $250K in 2007, growing at 300% per year.

Certo Labs Inc. is a Toronto-based scientific instrumentation start-up in the process of commercializing a novel lab instrument.
They are in the process of developing an automated sample extractor that will allow analytical labs performing sample analysis in the pharmaceutical and food industries to extract and prepare their samples for analysis much more rapidly and efficiently without a loss of accuracy and thereby optimizing their analytical lab’s performance.

Funding raised: $100,000 cash and $400,000 in-kind (total is $500,000). Certo Labs has just finished the second prototype. Piloting it in a food lab at the University of Waterloo in April. Currently, they are looking for a purchase order from a lab.

CBGI is developing a Multiple-Simultaneous Immunological/ Reagent Testing System (M-SIRTS) for the rapid detection of physical-chemical and biological properties in water. The company has shown proof-of-concept of its small-well cassette design and multiple-simultaneous reagent testing technologies for physical-chemical properties. Sponsored Research Agreements with The University of Texas at Arlington to assemble the first multiple-simultaneous testing colorimeter/spectrophotometer for reagent assays as well as proof-of-concept of CBGI’s proprietary intellectual property known as a Single-step ImmunoSorbent Assay (SISA) for detection of low concentration organisms in water, such as E. coli, are expected to be finalized in February 2009.

Development funding is provided by the Texas Emerging Technology Fund in the form of a $1,000,000 grant under the pre-seed deal structure.

What’s more important to every living human and organism than safe water?! CBGI expects to play a major role in reducing contaminated produce recalls, boil water orders, and closed recreational beaches all of which are caused by potentially contaminated water which can lead to economic loss, illness and/or death.

ClearCount addresses the large and growing demand for a simple and accurate system to account for sponges and instruments during surgical procedures. ClearCount’s first product offering is the SmartSponge™ System, which tracks surgical sponges in the operating room.

ClearCount’s products have been used in product evaluation trials in several leading hospitals around the United States, and they are anticipating the commercial launch of their initial product line in spring of 2008.

Funding Received: ClearCount has raised approximately $3M of private funding, as well as over $1M in funding from the National Institutes of Health.

CLS Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company concentrated in the core therapeutic areas of ophthalmology and topical preparations. CLS has developed a broad pipeline and optimized its lead ophthalmic drug, CLSA_1506, for the treatment of ocular infections and inflammation. The US and international PCT patent applications were filed in December 2006 and March 2007, respectively.

CLS has successfully completed all pre-clinical investigations of CLSA_1506 and the FDA accepted the phase III Investigational New Drug Application (IND), Phase II/III clinical trials without the need for any additional animal and Phase I studies. CLS is seeking $500K to conduct the initial clinical trial, which will take approximately 6 months.

ConjuGon is developing a fundamentally new technologies to combat the growing epidemic of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Antibiotic resistance is a medical crisis, globally responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. ConjuGon has two novel, biological products – one to prevent Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections and the second to treat resistant wound infections. ConjuGon’s core technology is a new way to kill unwanted and even multi-drug resistant bacteria.

Funding Received: To date Conjugon has raised more than $5 Million from outside investors including Department of Defense, Rosetta Partners, Wisconsin Investment Partners, and a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant from the United States Army.

CorInnova is an early-stage cardiovascular device company founded in 2004 to commercialize a novel family of cardiac devices which form the basis of an innovative therapeutic approach for patients with varying stages of heart failure. The CorAmend is the flagship product under development. It will be the first heart assist device in the market to be a promoter of good cardiac motion rather than a promoter of ejection or flow as with other devices.

Corinnova has met significant financial and preclinical milestones towards device commercialization and moving towards a human clinical trial. Corinnova is presently being funded by grant from National Institute of Health and Texas Emerging Technology fund and also preparing itself to raise private capital for next clinical milestones. Corinnova has added scientists to its research team and has moved to its own R&D facility with research and manufacturing facilities.

At the Rice University Business Plan Competition, cVision Medical Solutions presented the plans to commercialize cVein, a device capable of non-invasively measuring a patient's central venous pressure using ultrasound imaging. Their experience at Rice University has encouraged them to participate in other competitions, notably the Harvard Biotechnology Business Plan Competition, where they were awarded first place. Parallel to these efforts, cVision has been engaged in clinical trials at Johns Hopkins with a cVein prototype and are investigating new locations and testing protocols that will help them gather more data.

Funding Received: Funding for these efforts has been provided by the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance through an Advanced E-Team grant.

DiagNano is an early stage technology company focusing on in vitro diagnostics.  They are currently developing quantum dot nanotechnology with applications in the anatomic pathology market, providing the next generation of histochemistry products to researchers and clinicians. Nanohistochemistry, or NanoHC™, uses multiple colors of fluorescent nanoparticles to accurately and simultaneously measure multiple biomarkers in a single sample, taking the guess work out of sample analysis and providing oncologists with the best information to make a diagnosis and choose a therapy. 
Since the 2008 RBPC, DiagNano has been awarded a $50,000 Phase I GRA VentureLab grant to further develop products and they are currently applying for a Phase I SBIR grant.  They have also spoken at the 2008 Georgia Life Sciences Summit and the 2009 Southeastern Medical Device Association (SEMDA) conference.

ESS is a neutral electronic document (eDocs) Exchange service provider for the global trade finance, commodities’ trading and shipping industries. ESS provides its eDocs Services through the ESS-Databridge™, a secure, global electronic shipping document Exchange. The ESS-Databridge™ constitutes a complete document management tool for the transportation of energy cargos by sea. ESS provides trade participants with Straight-Through-Processing (STP) of data between the ESS-Databridge™ and trading, scheduling, fleet-management and other systems.

Funding Received: ESS has completed two funding rounds from a number of private and strategic investors.

Elevate Learning® is an innovative, results oriented, one-to-one online tutoring program in math, reading and science for K-12 schools and school districts. Elevate Learning® is part of fast growing $12.3 billion e-learning industry. The company capitalizes on the growing trend of customized learning to suit individual learner’s learning style and pace. Elevate Learning has successfully test piloted its three programs in 2006 and has received excellent reviews from school districts, students and parents.

Elevate Learning has bagged orders worth $100K in the first five months of its commercial launch. Elevate Learning is in talks with leading educational companies for marketing alliance to target the $2 billion market for supplemental educational services. They are currently based in Chicago.

EnviroBinz is a San Diego based socially conscious private company focused on bringing awareness to environmental causes. Envirobinz’s patented product Envirobin allows pedestrians to make choices when dispensing trash or recyclables in their respective receptacles. EnviroBinz manufactures special containers that accept both trash and recycled materials. The bins can be seen on the streets of National City, and are coming to the city of San Diego.

Environbinz is in negotiations with Commercial districts of the United States for its product.

Funding Received: $122,000 raised by partners; $22,000 won in business plan competitions.

Traditional organic waste disposal methods have left valuable sources of potential energy and nutrients underutilized. These inefficient disposal methods, combined with today’s rising energy costs, degrading farmlands and scientific confirmation of global warming, are becoming increasingly unacceptable.

Feed sees these problems as a profitable business opportunity. Feed’s solution is to use a proven technology that provides waste generators consistent, cost-effective waste disposal capacity previously not available to them.

Feed modifies these systems to include recovery, creating closed-loop value chains that are capable of restoring our nation’s topsoil, supplying alternative energy, and sustaining economic prosperity.

Global Cell Solutions (GCS) is focused on delivering a novel and dramatically improved, patent-pending cell culturing solution to advance the next generation of scientific breakthroughs in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and the emerging field of regenerative medicine. Partnering with the Hamilton Company, GCS recently introduced the BioLevitator™ and 3D CellSTAR™ systems at LabAutomation 2008, one of the largest laboratory automation conferences worldwide.

Funding Received: GCS has been funded through grants like the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. In addition, GCS has completed an angel round with investors from the mid-Atlantic region in 2006 and is currently seeking its next round of financing to support the company’s initial growth in the US, European, and Asian markets.

GuardIN Fresh, LLC offers packaging solutions based on their silver-coated nano-particle technology, which greatly extends the shelf life of highly perishable produce by converting ethylene gas to an anti-microbial agent called ethylene oxide. Their packaging solutions will allow produce to ripen naturally on the vine, enhance its taste, and enable shippers and retailers to retard spoilage and increase the shelf life of their products.

To date, GuardIN Fresh have verified the efficacy of the technology in consumer bags, formed a strong board of advisors with significant expertise in the industry, and initiated discussions with Wal-Mart’s Vice President of Produce and Floral, who is interested in the possibility of implementing GuardIN Fresh’s technology throughout Wal-Mart’s supply chain.

GreenBuild satisfies the needs of environmentally and health conscious consumers by providing environmentally friendly, non-toxic home improvement and interior finishing materials.GreenBuild’s goal is to create healthy home and work environments, to utilize the earth’s resources in a sustainable manner, and to be profitable.

GreenBuild is initially focusing on four product categories: flooring, wall finishes, kitchen/bathroom fixtures, and lighting. There online Product Database currently showcases over 100 leading, environmentally sound, home building products.

Hybridtronics researches and develops hybrid electric systems that can be retro-fitted into existing vehicles such as trucks and buses. Their hybrid electric systems improve the fuel economy of the vehicle by about 20% and also assist the manufacturer in meeting stringent emission norms.

They have recently been engaged by one of the bigger bus manufacturers in South Asia to install the hybrid electric system on their best selling line of city buses. Consequently, Hybridtronics has started setting up base in the US and have allocated funds to hire about 10 people in the next few months.

ImagineOptix, 2007
http://www.imagineoptix.com

ImagineOptix is a semiconductor company commercializing innovative microdisplays for multimedia, companion and embedded projectors.  The ImagineOptix HoloBrightTM technology revolutionizes the level of power efficiency while simultaneously cutting a projector bill of materials in half.  The combination of a significant performance increase and a drastic cost reduction enables projection to become ubiquitous, changing the paradigm across many industries from projectors to cell phones, laptops and in-home entertainment.  ImagineOptix will change the way we live, work and play with displays. 

ImagineOptix is currently in development and anticipates commercial products in late 2009.

Inanovate, 2005
http://www.inanovate.com

After the competition, Inanovate’s business model has moved from selling nano-scale surface patterning systems, to developing and selling biochip substrates made by this system. The business was refocused shortly after Rice, and went on to win the Babson Business Plan competition the following year (2006).
 
Inanovate’s primary focus is the development of a low cost, point of care, biochip based diagnostic platform for the early stage detection of cancer.
 
The diagnostic platform (called the i-Screen) integrates two novel technologies:
 
(1) A proprietary nano-particle biochip substrate (the i-Chip) that provides an order of magnitude improvement in sensitivity and consistency over competing substrate technologies.
(2) A proprietary diagnostic assay method developed at Harvard Medical School, to enable low cost, real time, protein biomarker screening from complex patient samples.
 
The i-Screen is being combined with a set of novel protein bio-markers (licensed from Harvard Medical School), for entry applications in prostate and ovarian cancer detection and monitoring.

Funding Received: Inanovate has raised approximately $1M in private investments and a similar figure in grants.

Incept BioSystems, 2005
http://www.inceptbio.com
 
Incept BioSystems develops innovative microscale technologies that provide fertility specialists breakthrough capabilities to treat infertility. Their technologies were developed to improve the in vitro manipulation, performance, and viability of high-value cells.
Incept’s PinFlo™ technology platform is the first to deliver unique control of in vitro cell culture environments so that fertility specialists can offer patients new hope in starting a family.

Funding Received: Incept has recently raised $3.25 Million in Series A Financing. This was led by Venture Investors and joined by several other investment groups including Angel Healthcare Investors of Newton, MA, Plymouth Venture Partners of Ann Arbor, MI, and a select group of experienced individual and corporate investors. This is in addition to the $950,000 Grant won through Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor Program. 

Innovis Technologies, 2007
http://www.innovistechnologies.com

Innovis offers patented and proven molecular diagnostic techniques that will revolutionize the food and water testing industry. Innovis kits are unique in the diagnostic testing arena.  Utilizing a proprietary zinc-finger detection system, the tests are faster, with results in 10 minutes; DNA-based, increasing accuracy and specificity; and portable, requiring minimal training to operate.
Innovis’ microbe-detection tests can be applied reliably to well and irrigation water, fresh produce, and meat products.

The Innovis kit will cost $35 per test. The 10-minute turnaround from starting the test to getting results means contaminated food can be identified before it is sent to the public, reducing illness and death and saving money.

Intrinsic Security, 2006
http://intrinsicsecurity.com

In the battle of the worm, you've tried Antivirus, IDS, IPS, Firewalls, and Patch Management.None of these solutions were designed for the unique characteristics of worms & bots.

FireBreak AntiWorm is the first Enterprise network security product designed from the ground up using network-friendly, scalable Realtime Intrusion Suppression technology to combat worms on corporate and government networks. Intrinsic Security’s RealTime Intrusion Suppression system can be deployed quickly and operated at low cost. FireBreak AntiWorm immediately detects outbreaks of worms and botnets on your enterprise network, slows the rate of spread of the infestation, alerts your staff, and helps customers’ existing network defense layers work more effectively.  

Jet Yi, 2004 (Previously Jet Red)

Jet Yi is developing a new low-cost-airline carrier in China. The airline will serve the huge and growing middle class in China. The cost structure for Jet Yi will be over 15% lower than the major domestic airlines China Eastern and China Southern. While at the Rice Business Plan Competition, Jet Yi met the former Chief Operating Officer at DHL (a competition judge) who has been serving as an adviser and mentor since the competition.  The start-up airline has lined up private equity funding commitments, built a management team, and has created an operating plan to launch the airline operations in China.

Jet Yi is awaiting approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). They are currently chartering two routes with Sichuan Airlines.

Lumedyne Technologies Incorporated, 2007 (Previously Omega Sensors)
http://www.lumedynetechnologies.com

Lumedyne Technologies Incorporated (LTI) provides highly advanced MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) accelerometers.  The MEMS technology used in LTI’s sensors was developed at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWAR), a government research laboratory. Under exclusive patent rights, LTI is responsible for product commercialization. The technology behind LTI’s products is protected by six patents, with two more pending. It has been selected as one of the “World’s Best Technologies for 2005” by the World’s Best Technology Showcase, named one of the “Most Promising” Energy Technologies for 2007 by Rice Alliance, and has achieved best known values for the smallest displacement ever measured by a MEMS device.

Funding Received: Approximately $900K

Mi Viejita, 2005
http://www.miviejitausa.com

Mi Viejita brings the very best authentic Mexican cuisine to the next generation. It uses all natural ingredients of the highest quality. Over the past 20 years it has perfected the manufacturing process and now uses no preservatives. 

While Mi Viejita continues to develop the retail channel with Mi Viejita brand, they have launched a second brand: MexGormet. MexGourmet is intended to serve the fast growing ethnic foodservice market. Since then, Mi Viejita has participated in the National Restaurant Association show with excellent response. They are also offering tailor made developments for restaurant chains who love Mi Viejita’s format but require their recipe. For the following year Mi Viejita would consider private labels programs and alternative channels such as camping food.

MicroGREEN is a thermoformed expanded plastics company concerned about the environment. The founders patent pending process to improve and enable deep-draw thermoforming of common thermoplastic polymers. Today the company has exclusive rights to produce or license out the technology in the US, Europe and Japan. MicroGREEN is currently working with a "Fortune 100" company on a joint development project and is actively looking to develop other joint manufacturer relationships with the potential for granting licenses in specific markets.

Funding Received: MicroGREEN has been funded by angel investors, industry insiders, and Seattle-based institutional investor WRF Capital. Two investment rounds have been completed, the latest being a Series A Preferred Stock issuance of $2.4 Million.

Microlution, 2005
http://microlution-inc.com

Microlution Inc. provides advanced manufacturing solutions for the production of small, precision machined components. Microlution is a multifaceted, cutting edge company committed toward delivering an improved micro-machining solution across a wide array of industries. Through the utilization and integration of a revolutionary breed of machine developed by Microlution, micro/mesoscale machine tools (mMTs), many of the shortcomings and pains experienced in current micro-machining practices are directly addressed and mitigated.

MicroMRI’s first product is a suite of MRI-based biomarkers for the monitoring of osteoporosis. Known as topology biomarkers, they measure the microarchitecture of bone, which breaks down in osteoporosis long before a noticeable change in the bone’s density can be measured. MicroMRI acquired the underlying intellectual property from the University of Pennsylvania. It partners with pharmaceutical companies to establish the effectiveness of the biomarkers. Leveraging a strategic partnership with GE, it installs the system in U.S. premier hospitals and abroad. MicroMRI is winning new contracts, making valuable partnerships and is poised for further growth.

Funding Received: $3.5M to date
Revenues: $2M pharma contract & $6M government grants

Midway Pharmaceuticals, 2005

Midway Pharmaceuticals has novel proprietary technologies developed by the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Chicago for the treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis (“NEC”) and for inflammatory bowel diseases(“IBD”). 

Funding Received: Approximately $1M in convertible note financing to run pre-clinical studies and is now preparing to file an IND, and in diligence with two venture funds regarding a Series A financing.

MOLECMO Nano-Biotechnologies, 2005
http://www.molecmo.com

Founded in 2006, MOLECMO holds several patents and broad Intellectual Property in the area of viral entry, viral transport and the role of cytoskeleton in facilitating viral infection.

Within antiviral therapies, MOLECMO specializes in the discovery of small molecule drugs with novel mechanisms of action. The most advanced of these Research & Development programs target Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The result thus far has been the development of its novel and first-in-class small molecule drugs, termed- Transport InhibitorsTM. MOLECMO exciting product pipeline has progressed beyond the proof of concept stage and is currently in Lead Optimization and Pre-clinical stages.

Nanovate, 2007
http://www.nanovate.ca
 
Nanovate worked on the commercialization of a radiation dosimeter used in radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Nanovate's innovative dosimeter results in significant time and cost savings on quality control processes for hospitals.

The technology is still in development but the initial team members are pursuing different opportunities. The creator of the dosimeter is continuing to invent and commercialize technologies for consumer application with a newly developed team.

NEURALSTEMCELLS, 2008 (Previously NeuroBank)

NeuroBank is an early-stage life science company focused on the storage of adult neural stem cells for individuals with and without neurological disease. NeuroBank enables patients to harness the power of their own neural stem cells with a relatively noninvasive procedure to gather a person’s stem cells at an earlier age before they deteriorate with time.
NeuroBank has changed its name to NeuralStemCells, Inc.

NeuralStemCells, Inc. is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2403 Sidnet Street, suite 255, Pittsburgh, PA 15203) and employs two full-time PhD scientists.  NeuralStemCells, Inc. has isolated a new source of neural stem cells and is preparing a commercial product for the Fall of 2009.  To date, NeuralStemCells, Inc. has raised approximately $250,000 in funding.

Oneworld Medical Devices, 2006
http://oneworldmd.com

Over 4.3 Million deaths occur from vaccine-preventable diseases each year. Many of these deaths can be prevented if the Vaccine Transport System (the "Cold Chain") was able to reduce vaccine wastage during outreach sessions. Oneworld Medical Device’s product, Vac-Pac is a patent pending portable vaccine "cold carrier" which dramatically reduces vaccine wastage at an affordable price to Non-Governmental Organizations and Governments alike.

Vac-pac is already designed, built and working. The VacPac is, in the simplest sense, a backpack refrigerator. Unlike regular refrigerators, however, it utilizes a stirling cooler to generate cold.

Optimal Vision Corporation, 2007
http://optimalvisioncorp.com

Optimal Vision Corporation (OVC) is an early stage medical device company that is offering a breakthrough vision correction procedure for presbyopia. OVC’s patented procedure provides the solution for anyone who has to deal with the hassle of wearing reading glasses. The company's patented procedure, Infrared Keratectomy (IRK), invented by practicing ophthalmalogist, Dr. Edward Yavitz, corrects the vision impairment presbyopia without causing damage to the eye.

Optimal Vision Corporation seeks to complete the FDA approval process to bring their technology to market.

OrthoAccel is creating a technology that accelerates bone remodeling, moves teeth faster, and shortens treatment time in braces. In late 2007, the company was recognized by BioHouston with the Michael E. DeBakey Life Sciences award, voted on by venture capital investors panel and given to the development stage company with the most exciting clinical and commercial promise. The first human trial results are anticipated late in 2008.  A larger trial is being planned for 2009 to collect necessary data for seeking FDA approval.  The product would market launch in 2010.

Funding Received: The company has raised ~$1.4 Million to date including a seed round through a venture accelerator, an award from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, and a Series A round from individual investors. 

Osio Corp’s patent-pending Topical Refractive Treatment (TRT) is the only safe, non-invasive and effective procedure available to treat low to moderate vision problems using an ingenious combination of personalized contact lenses, specially formulated eye drops and integrating specification software.

Upon success from initial clinical trials and subsequent approval by Health Authorities – starting in Mexico, the US and then following in several regions of the world, TRT will be available to treat millions of patients suffering from vision problems and thus provide a safer LASIK alternative.

Otothera Corporation, 2006 (Previously Audiofusion)
http://www.otothera.com

Otothera Corporation is developing tinnitus therapeutic and diagnostic products.

Funding Received: Since placing at the RBPC in the spring of 2006, the company closed a seed round of funding and hired an experienced startup CEO. The company changed its name to Otothera Corporation and closed a series of strategic partnerships that provided for product development and initial distribution. Otothera continues to grow its IP portfolio and develop relationships with future customers and research partners.

Two new contacts resulting from the RBPC have proven invaluable in the last two years, one of which has remained a steadfast advisor and source of introductions.

Pixel Velocity develops, manufacturers, and markets the world's most advanced high-speed digital image processing products. Their revolutionary development platform allows them to integrate their image processing technology with novel 3-D and 2-D imaging sensors to enable real-time solutions in a diverse set of markets including Security & Surveillance, Medical Imaging, Machine Vision, and Defense.

During Pixel Velocity's initial five years of operation, the team created and patented a set of core technologies that form the backbone of a product family capable of providing a consistent means of addressing diverse applications and accelerating time to market.

Funding Received: >$800K in grants from the Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor and the National Institute of Health.

Helix are toothpick-sized, pieces of twisted wire with a triangular cross section which were developed at the University of Michigan in 1997 then licensed and commercialized by Polytorx LLC. With its screw-like shape, Helix works by locking into concrete - like a corkscrew in a cork – which results in dramatic performance improvements for all uses of concrete. Polytorx is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and has its own proprietary, high speed machines located in nearby Ypsilanti. Helix is now sold in over 14 countries and in a wide variety of applications such as reinforcement of commercial slabs, structural foundations, composite decks in multistory buildings and a number of precast products including structural panels, pipes and underground vessels, as well as for blast resistance in bank vaults.

Funding Received: $500K winner Michigan Technology Tri-cooridor (7/2004) & $100K SBIR NSF grant (7/2004)

Precision Surveying Solutions, 2007
http://pssllc.com

Precision introduced new software enabling the use of common hand held consumer grade GPS units, and also introduced the DC50 Field Assistant, a data collector which boasts the longest battery life of any product on the market. Precision Surveying Solutions sells the DC50, a data collector that controls and collects measurements from high precision surveying instruments. The DC50 increases productivity for surveyors and civil engineers 20-40% over competing devices.

Precision Surveying Solutions LLC completed their first full year of sales with 50K in net income on 250K in revenue. The company remains held solely by the founders.

PrepMe, 2005
http://www.prepme.com
 
PrepMe is a premium, customized online test preparation company.  PrepMe's adaptive learning technology determines each student's individual strengths and weaknesses and delivers a customized learning plan composed of lessons, quizzes, tests, and tutoring to help students succeed.  

PrepMe currently offers programs for students from 6th to 12th grade and is cash-flow positive with offices in Chicago and Mountain View, CA.  PrepMe has been used by over 38,000 students.  It sells directly to families and also works with large educational institutions and is the SAT preparation of choice for the entire State of Maine and over 35% of towns in Connecticut.

ResuRx Pharmaceuticals, 2007

ResuRx systematically screens marketed drugs with a methodical, proven technique that saves millions of dollars, curtails years of development and maximizes value. Over 30 pharmaceutical companies and academic laboratories expressed interest in screening the existing drug collection for new uses. ResuRx’s current pipeline boasts four drugs entering Phase II clinical trials this year.  They have located a pharmaceutical manufacturer for astemizole, an antihistamine discovered to have antimalarial properties, and are excited about the possibility of a clinical trial.  Also, they are in the process of securing a worldwide patent for use of the antifungal drug itraconazole in the treatment of angiogenesis related diseases such as cancer and diabetic eye degeneration.

RJI Group, 2006
http://www.rjigroup.com

RJI is committed to advancing the health and fitness levels of people world-wide. RJI offers a number of dynamic wellness solutions geared towards the athletic, corporate and general populations.

RJI is dedicated and committed to helping people find simple health and fitness solutions in the corporate, home, and sporting environments. RJI uses a holistic approach to enhancing health, fitness and wellness, promoting physical education and research, and combining simple and efficient training techniques with safe, fun and enjoyable nutrition and lifestyle programs to help people set and achieve their goals.

Samplesaint, 2006
http://samplesaint.com

Samplesaint is the place for the discount offers you want with the mobile convenience you need. Samplesaint is the only one that delivers coupons directly to your mobile phone. Samplesaint gives you immediate access to the coupons you want from the brands you trust. Now, you can enjoy savings whenever and wherever you are.

At Samplesaint you can select as many offers as you like on the great products you use everyday. Then simply take your mobile-browser equipped phone to the store and wave your phone over the store’s scanner to get your discount. No coupons to print, clip or remember to carry. You can browse all the current offer at any time. If you see something you like, select it to add it to your cart.

Secure-Surfer, 2006 (Previously Internet Security Company)
http://www.secure-surfer.com

Secure-Surfer provides “Safe Internet Access For Everyone, From Everywhere, Every Time©”.

It is safe for everyone because it protects against all possible online safety concerns including phishing, man-in-the-middle and man-in-the-browser attacks as well as keyloggers, and malware downloads. It is safe everywhere because it is effective even when accessing the internet from PCs infected with viruses, worms and other malware or using tapped internet connections.
It is safe every time because it guards even novices practicing unsafe surfing habits or faced with novel social hacking techniques.

Soltage, 2006
http://www.soltage.com

Soltage is a full service renewable energy company that develops and operates solar energy stations on client structures across the USA. Soltage bears 100% of the capital cost and risk associated with turn-key construction of the solar asset and provides clients with stabilized and reduced cost electricity under a long-term Solar Power Sales and Services Agreement.

Soltage is backed by private equity financing and is revenue positive as of Q1 2008.  

Spark Parking offers pain-free parking management and monitoring - making it easier for drivers to find and pay for their parking. Spark Parking provides a wide variety of services including: managing off-street and on-street parking, parking surveys, space counting and parking guidance, enforcement optimization, and utilizing unsold spaces.

In March 2007, Spark Parking was selected by the City of Emeryville, CA to track parking utilization and length of stay in a rapidly growing mixed-use neighborhood. The company also released Tele Atlas ContentLink (SM) for application developers to incorporate into a range of GPS devices and location-based services and applications.

Semprus Biosciences, 2007 (Previously SteriCoat Corporation)
http://www.semprusbio.com

SteriCoat Corporation is a venture-backed biotechnology company developing medical devices incorporating the first implantable and permanently antimicrobial surface technology.

Funding Received: SteriCoat has raised a $2M seed round that was lead by 5AM Ventures, a Boston and San Francisco based firm with $200M under management. SteriCoat has eight full time employees in their labs in Cambridge, MA and they are in dialog with some possible industry partners. 
SteriCoat Corporation is going to change its name to Eonian BioSciences and expects to raise its next round of significant institutional financing in Q3 or Q4.

Tabletop Media, 2006
http://www.tabletopmedia.com

Tabletop Media, Inc. “TTM” introduced a patent-pending wireless, portable pay-at-the-table kiosk to increase per ticket purchases, increase table turn rates and provide a real-time loyalty program.

The kiosk called Pago™ measures 8” x 4” and can be mounted at the end of the table or in a specially designed condiment holder. Pago features an easy to use high resolution touch screen that’s interactive and engaging for the dining customer without being intrusive.

Taco Tikka, 2004
http://tacotikka.com

After competing in the 2004 Rice Business Plan Competition, the Taco Tikka team entered and won three other business plan competitions and received funding from several angel investors and venture capitalists. The initial funding was used to scout locations, develop corporate infrastructure and set up a supply chain in India. During this phase, the team decided to partner with a large restaurant company that is keen on entering the Indian market. Taco Tikka entered into an agreement with one of the largest restaurant companies in the US last year and has made significant progress towards opening their first location in India. 

One of the founders has gone on to also launch a company that develops restaurant concepts in the US. The first concept is a fast-casual Mexican restaurant named Bazo’s Fresh Mexican Grill launched two years ago. Now he is developing a new French café concept to open in near future.

Taxcient, 2004 (Previously vAudit) 
http://www.taxcient.com

Taxcient is a provider of online solutions and services for sales and use tax compliance. Led by the former CEOs of TurboTax® and PayPal®, Taxcient solutions joins together a team of former state tax auditors with 80 years experience and the most advanced technology available in the market. The result is a set of cost-effective, easy-to-use solutions for sales and use tax compliance that improve workflow and efficiency, while reducing audit compliance risk.

Taxcient is trusted by some of the leading Fortune 500 companies.

TeleEMG, 2006
http://www.teleemg.com

TeleEMG's critically acclaimed NCV ExpertTM service is a custom-tailored program to train the healthcare professional in the performance of nerve conduction studies, assist them with the setup of a full fledged NCV practice, and provide them with a state of the art live analysis of their nerve conductions reports.

A leader in live NCV report analysis, EMG and Nerve Conduction education and training, TeleEMG strives to assist the healthcare professional in improving the quality of care they provide to their patients with neuropathy. TeleEMG offers a full range of EMG and Nerve Conduction services, including audio-visual EMG and NCV courses, training, electrodes, and supplies.

TheraNova is an intellectual property holding company that has filed patents for, and is in the process of developing, multiple medical devices. TheraNova's technologies include: a ground breaking, non-invasive, endoscopic obesity therapy, an implantable shunt designed to treat chronic fluid collections, a therapeutic hypothermia technology with unparalleled speed and ease of use, a non-invasive incontinence therapy for overactive bladder and the next generation breast implant, as well as several other proprietary technologies.

Funding Received: To date all funding for TheraNova has come from its founders and business plan competition winnings totaling over $100,000. TheraNova and its subsidiaries are currently seeking funding and are open to collaborative development and/or technology licensing arrangements.

The Veran 4D technology is unlocking the potential for therapy delivery to organs that move with heartbeat and respiration.

The company's flagship product, the 'IG4', received FDA clearance in April 2006. The company began human trials in June 2006 at Brown Medical Center in Providence, RI, and at Boston Medical Center. They are preparing a third site at M.D. Anderson in Houston. Human trials have gone exceptionally well. There appears to be significant interest in the Veran platform from the biopsy and ablation practice areas. Veran Medical Technologies (VMT) expects to begin generating revenue by the end of June 2008.

Funding Received: VMT has raised $3 Million from outside investors. Currently a 'go-to-market' round of investment is being pursued.

Vipani, 2003 (Previously Vikas)
http://www.vipani.org

Vipani is an entrepreneurial not-for-profit organization that enables rural families to climb out of poverty by transforming smallholder farming into a profitable enterprise in the marketplace. Vipani agent entrepreneurs run local business networks for farmers through which they gain access to the four essential elements for profitable farming: market knowledge, technical assistance, flexible financing, and competitive markets information.

Vipani was launched in Kenya in 2004 and is currently supporting over 250 farming families. With $650,000 in philanthropic capital so far raised, Vipani has successfully completed field tests and is already expanding in Kenya. They are now actively engaged in raising funds to progress rapidly to widespread replication of the model within Kenya and in other developing countries.

Webmasters International, 2005
http://www.webmastersintl.com

Webmasters International is a web development service provider operating in San Francisco, Atlanta, and Ukraine.  WMI develops online video communities, social networks, video advertising technology, and Facebook applications. WMI is highly competitive on web projects ranging from $30,000 to $250,000.  2008 growth areas include secure application development and web application security remediation. 

Webmasters International was started in 2005 by Allan Grant, an undergraduate from Georgia Tech, with winnings of $6000 from MBA business plan competitions.  The company grew organically without further funding to revenues in excess of $850,000 by 2007.  Webmasters International is profitable, and seeking to merge with a mid-sized corporation looking to invest in further offshore expansion.

Whisperlabs, 2006 (Previously Extension Eleven)
http://www.whisperlabs.com

Whisperlabs is the most intelligent way for companies to manage customer ideas online. Whisperlabs is free, and helps companies increase customer advocacy, identify hidden revenue opportunities, and reduce customer attrition.

With Whisperlabs, your customers are able to submit new ideas, vote for and rank the best ideas, and collaborate on the best innovations for your offering. Whisperlabs then offers you real-time access to your customer's opinions as well as their changing priories, enabling you to consistently align your organization and your product investments with the real market opportunity.

WiPower Inc., 2007
http://www.wipowerinc.com

Get ready to cut that cord! WiPower Inc. has developed the smallest, most affordable wireless power system in the world. Their technology addresses the widespread dissatisfaction with today’s corded charging systems which are numerous, unsightly, and difficult to handle.With WiPower’s patented technology, users can charge one or more electronic devices by simply placing them atop a WiPower charging surface. The user can charge devices without worrying about handling tiny connectors and untangling a tumbleweed of cords.

Funding Received: WiPower has raised seven figures of investment. They have a lot of traction with military, consumer and industrial customers.