LARGO, Fla. – (Oct. 23, 2008) – STAR Technology Enterprise Center (STAR TEC) (http://www.startecflorida.com), a technology and manufacturing business accelerator, announces the graduation of Alaka’i Engineering & Consulting (http://www.alakai.us), a STAR TEC client since 2006.
“Alaka’i is a true success story for STAR TEC, embodying our mission of ‘Accelerating Entrepreneurial Success,’” says Tonya Elmore, STAR TEC executive director. “We congratulate Ed Dottery, Alaka’i president and co-founder and Guy Ontai, vice president and co-founder, on their continued growth and success, and are pleased they were able to benefit from the mentoring, staff assistance and other support STAR TEC provides its clients.”
Alaka’i is a high technology business whose core research and development interests are in standoff detection and remote sensing of trace molecules that include explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the #1 killer of American soldiers and coalition forces. The firm is also applying its efforts to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.
Elmore notes that since coming to STAR TEC, Alaka’i has tripled its revenues and grown from two to 12 employees, with salaries well above the average for Pinellas County. The company has been recognized for its growth and economic impact, most recently as a recipient of the Governor’s Business Diversification Award for Entrepreneurship and the Pinellas County Achievement Award.
“We are grateful to STAR TEC and its mentor network for introducing us to industry opportunities and strategic partnerships,” says Dottery. “We have found a home in Pinellas County and look forward to our move from STAR TEC to larger quarters at the STAR Center.”
About STAR TEC
With a mission of “Accelerating Entrepreneurial Success,” STAR TEC (http://www.startecflorida.com) is a private, not-for-profit organization that supports the growth of early stage manufacturing and technology-based companies in the Tampa Bay region, enabling them to move their products or services to market more rapidly and effectively. STAR TEC occupies 30,000 square feet at the Young-Rainey Science, Technology and Research (STAR) Center in Largo, Fla.
About Alakai
Alaka’i Consulting & Engineering, Inc. (http://www.alakai.us) and its extensive network of affiliated partners provide next generation sensor and technology solutions to challenges facing the defense and security markets. The company brings together the science and engineering disciplines, along with relevant operational experience, with a particular specialty in laser and electro-optic remote sensing and systems integration to detect trace molecules of military significance, such as found in explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).