LARGO, Fla. (March 9, 2009) – STAR Technology Enterprise Center (STAR TEC) (http://www.startecflorida.com), a technology and manufacturing business accelerator, announces TEC Launch, a unique program designed to identify early stage technology and light manufacturing companies and assist them in market development and expansion.
“This is an entirely new concept for our region that will, in effect, become a focal point or ‘one-stop shop’ for emerging technologies,” says Tonya Elmore, STAR TEC executive director. “TEC Launch will provide assistance to early stage companies, but also add value to some of the larger technology generators – firms that develop technology products or use specialized technology to manufacture products -- via licensing, sub-contracting opportunities and Small Business Innovation Research partnerships.”
Elmore adds that TEC Launch is an important step in STAR TEC’s goal of offering a full continuum of business services for emerging high growth companies in the technology and light manufacturing areas.
TEC Launch provides market research and support, business education assistance in conjunction with existing community resources, technology commercialization, linkages to higher education resources and strategic partners, assistance with presentation skills, help in accessing specialized financing, federal procurement assistance and help with regulatory compliance.
Program objectives include:
· Assisting local economic development by building a larger pipeline of high growth early stage companies, with emphasis on but not limited to defense, homeland security, advanced manufacturing, computer/electronic products, software-related services, alternative energy and medical technology markets
· Creating mutually beneficial relationships that benefit both the existing “technology generators” in these industries and emerging/early stage companies
· Expanding community and business partnerships that will enhance STAR TEC’s services and effectiveness
· Within the greater Tampa Bay area, expanding the number and accessibility of educational and other services available for high growth companies
“Since our founding in 2003, STAR TEC has served as a business accelerator to improve the capacity of early stage technology and light manufacturing firms to introduce their products and services into the marketplace,” says Elmore. “TEC Launch is designed to complement other community resources as well as increasing the pipeline of companies ready to enter STAR TEC or seek additional growth capital.”