Technology shares the spotlight with music and film at the annual South by Southwest festival in Austin, TX.

By Jenny Vickers
From the March/April 2013 issue

Technology innovation is happening across the country, but there is no better place to witness the revolution other than Austin, TX, home to a rapidly expanding technology industry.

Every year, tens of thousands of people descend on the city for South by Southwest (SXSW), a nine-day stretch of festivals and conferences designed to highlight the hottest new entrants in the world of music, film and technology. Collectively, SXSW is the highest revenue-producing event for the Austin economy, with an estimated economic impact of $167 million in 2011. It has also grown very rapidly over the years—700 participants attended its first event in 1987 and over 30,000 attended this year (up 25 percent from 2012).

The interactive portion of the event focuses on technology and is a breeding ground for new ideas and creative technologies. Foursquare launched there in 2009 and now has 20 million users. This year, BF was on hand at the event to find out more about it. We attended several events hosted by the Austin Chamber of Commerce and caught up with several new innovative tech companies.

Launch Pad For New Tech

“SXSW is a great launching point for new technologies,” said Susan Davenport, Senior Vice President of Global Technology Initiatives at the Chamber who is the lead of all things SXSW tech. “It’s really a huge innovation opportunity to get your new ideas out there and into the mainstream.”

Austin-based medical device company Spot On Sciences, Inc. attended SXSW to pitch its newest device, Hemaspot™, which helped the company become a finalist in the SXSW Interactive Accelerator for innovative health technology.

“Our device allows anyone to take a blood sample in any location at any time and ship or store the samples at room temperature,” said Dr. Jeanette Hill, CEO of Spot On Sciences.

The company is only three years old and has been on the market for three months, yet it has already gained a lot of traction in international markets. The device is now being used in remote locations in Africa for HIV testing and in Scotland for diabetes research.

“For centuries, you had to go into a blood testing facility and it’s a really big barrier for people who are the sickest, homebound and the elderly, as well as people who live in remote locations,” said Dr. Hill. “With this device you can take the test from home or any location. You don’t need a lab, centrifuge, or to ship it cold. You can take a sample then mail it to the lab.”

For its groundbreaking work, the company received a $1 million Small Business Innovation Research award from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in July 2012.

“DARPA did the initial work to develop the Internet, GPS system, and rockets,” said Dr. Hill. “They think big. So they are funding us because they see our device as a way to really change the way we do health care. We really want to revolutionize clinical science.”

The device is based on dried blood spot (DBS) technology, which is best known for newborn screening and has many additional commercial uses for clinical trials, bio-banking, population studies and a wide range of medical research.

Digital technology startup UMeTime is changing the way businesses are connecting with new customers. They have built a platform that gives local business the ability to control and offer deals at their convenience. Whether you are a business that needs to speed up your slow hours, fill your empty chairs and tables, or sell sitting inventory, UMeTime offers merchants the capability to overcome these barriers and drive sales and revenue.

The company has officially launched its mobile application and is available now on iTunes or Google Play.

“Unlike Groupon and Living Social, UMeTime functions on a hyperlocal level,” said UMeTime co-founder Brett Berman. “The app allows locals to see what’s happening around them in real time, from local businesses that they like. Customers can use it for free on their mobile device.”

UMeTime moved from L.A. to Austin three months ago to take advantage of its bustling tech scene and lower taxes.

“Austin is a very collaborative environment, from the Chamber to the government to the capital factor, startups want to support each other here,” said Berman.

Since launching in Austin just three years ago, local start-up Tabbed Out has grown from a few bars and restaurants in downtown Austin to 1,000 locations nationwide. It has developed an app that lets customers pay their tabs with their phone.

“We not only made the app, but also the software that goes on the point of sale,” said Meredith Schultz, managing marketer at Tabbed Out. “We are the only company targeted for hospitality—bars and restaurants. Our app solves the pain of tipping and splitting the tab, as well as provides the ability for customers to provide feedback to the bar or restaurants.”

Tabbed Out now has a partnership with T.G.I. Fridays and is expanding to other cities including Seattle, San Francisco, Portland, Denver, DC, Dallas and Houston. The company is located in downtown Austin close to the famous 6th street, a popular location of bars and restaurants. “Austin is very friendly for start-ups and emerging technology companies,” said Schultz. “In L.A. it’s more competitive, but in Austin everyone is friendly and there to support you especially when you are starting a new business.”

We also caught up with Firefly LED Lighting’s founder and CEO Steve Barcik Amstel, who is stepping into a new role with Convergence Wireless, a wireless networking technology company that has produced the first all wireless lighting control system for buildings.

“Whereas now there is no easy way to do an energy management system without pulling a lot of wire, our product will allow you to install an energy management and information management system and even cellular, just by adding our device to light fixtures,” said Amstel.

After Firefly LED Lighting was acquired by a larger lighter company, Austin-based Convergence Wireless seemed a perfect next step for Amstel, who has lived in Austin for 27 years and started out as a facilities engineer at Texas Instruments. Amstel founded Firefly in 2009 and won the GM technology award for his work in developing long life and high efficiency LED lighting.

“I’ve always had an interest in energy management and facilities management and how can we use new things like Internet and sensing and bigger computer power to make a difference,” said Amstel. “There is so much opportunity to reduce our country’s energy demand and to save money for facilities through these technologies that I keep getting involved in it because I get excited about what we’re going to be able to do.”

Convergence Wireless is part of the Austin Technology Incubator, which helps breakthrough a number of clean energy and energy efficiency companies each year and has led Austin to being dubbed the “Clean Energy Capital of the U.S.”

“When you look at the number of startups in Austin around clean energy and environmental considerations it’s really taken off as a clean energy mecca for start-up companies,” said Amstel.

Amazon Puts Three New Warehouses In Texas

Amazon has announced plans to open three new fulfillment centers in the state of Texas, creating more than 1,000 jobs. The sites, which will use advanced technology to help fulfill customer orders, will be located in the cities of Coppell, Haslet and Schertz.

“We look forward to putting more than 1,000 Texans to work at our new fulfillment centers in Schertz, Coppell and Haslet,” said Mike Roth, Amazon’s vice president of North American fulfillment. “We appreciate the state and local elected officials who have helped us make this exciting investment in the state of Texas.”

“We’re pleased Amazon is investing in Texas by bringing three fulfillment centers and more than 1,000 jobs to our state,” said Texas Comptroller Susan Combs. “I thank Amazon for working with us—making it possible to bring new jobs and revenue to the state of Texas.”

“This is the biggest economic development partnership announcement in the history of our city,” said city of Haslet Mayor Bob Golden. “The jobs and potential tax base that this development will bring to our community is a major milestone in our city’s growth.”

The 1.2 million-square-foot site in Schertz and the 1 million-square-foot site in Coppell will handle larger items—anything from televisions to bbqs, for example. The 1.1 million-square-foot site in Haslet will handle smaller items like books, small electronics or DVDs, to name a few.

“Amazon, coming to Coppell, complements our strategy of building a quality business base that supports the community and the region,” said Coppell Mayor Karen Hunt. “We are thrilled Amazon chose Coppell for a new fulfillment center. We recognize their large capital investment and new jobs brought to this area.”

Recently, Amazon committed to hire more than a thousand veterans in the U.S. in the upcoming year to join the hundreds of veteran employees it has on staff currently. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates there are more than 1.6 million veterans in the state of Texas.

“We are thrilled to welcome Amazon to Schertz,” said city of Schertz Mayor Michael Carpenter. “The investment Amazon is making in our community is significant, and it is a manifest expression by yet another highly successful and well-respected company that Schertz is a great place to do business.”

USAA Real Estate Company is building the project in Schertz. Hillwood Development Company is building the project in the city of Haslet as part of AllianceTexas, a 17,000-acre, master-planned community, and is also constructing the project in the city of Coppell.

Pipe Mill Coming To Bay City

Tenaris has announced it will build its first U.S. seamless pipe mill in Bay City, Matagorda County, TX. With its proximity to Houston and to Tenaris’ North American headquarters, the location offers a combination of favorable geography, operational logistics and availability of a skilled workforce.

“Our new facility will complement our integrated global manufacturing network and work closely with our existing North American operations to further strengthen domestic production,” Paolo Rocca, Chairman and CEO, said.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry (with hard hat) and Tenaris President, North America, German Cura at a recent press conference announcing Bay City as the location of Tebaris’ first U.S seamless mill.

“This announcement is only possible, thanks to the hard work of state and local officials, as well as, the area business community, which always plays a major role in decisions like this,” Gov. Rick Perry said. “The most profound statement about our favorable economic climate comes when companies like Tenaris make an investment of this size in our state.”

“With this investment, we will strengthen our local production and service capabilities to address the growing demands of the energy industry,” German Cura, President, North America, said. “We are grateful for the support we have had from The State of Texas, Matagorda County and Bay City.”

An analysis conducted on the economic impact of Tenaris in Matagorda County states the company will have a large direct and indirect influence on the area. The new plant will generate 600 direct manufacturing jobs and offer substantial economic impact in Matagorda County as well as in the surrounding areas.

“The company’s commitment to the environment and safety is a top priority,” Cura said. “The facility is being designed according to the most stringent environmental and safety standards, with the implementation of control technologies that will reduce our emissions footprint and exceed state and federal regulations.” The new facility is expected to begin operations in 2016.

The growing biotech sector the Lone Star State recently got a shot in the arm from a federal initiative to expand domestic manufacturing of flu vaccines. [See related coverage of Texas biotechnology activities here.]

GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) and Texas A&M University System announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has approved the establishment of a $91 million influenza-vaccines manufacturing facility as the anchor of the Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing (CIADM) in Bryan-College Station, TX.

“The Texas A&M Center, anchored by this facility, is expected to bring more than $41 billion in expenditures within the State of Texas over the next 25 years, and will add more than 6,800 direct and related jobs to Texas,” Gov. Rick Perry said.

“GSK is privileged to deepen our commitment to U.S. public health, as part of this unprecedented public-private collaboration to protect against pandemics and bio-threats,” noted Antoon Loomans, senior vice president, GSK Vaccines. “In Texas A&M, we have found a partner with a rich tradition of service and with pioneering technologies that will benefit the entire pharmaceutical industry in making vaccines available and accessible to all in need.”

The Texas A&M Center for Innovation is headed by Dr. Brett Giroir, vice chancellor for Strategic Initiatives at the Texas A&M System, and a core team of A&M experts in biotechnology, infectious diseases, facilities planning and construction, federal acquisitions/contracting, and government affairs. The partnership with GSK was founded on a long, collaborative relationship between Texas A&M and the Wallonia Region of Belgium, with specific planning for this project beginning in the spring of 2010.

Once constructed and operational, the Center’s influenza manufacturing facility will be able to supply 50 million doses of pandemic influenza vaccine within four months of an outbreak.

“GSK’s decision to partner with Texas A&M and bring their vaccine manufacturing to our state is a testament to the investments that the A&M System and the State of Texas have made in the people, infrastructure and technologies, much of which came from critical state programs such as the Emerging Technology Fund,” Giroir said.” GSK brings unequaled influenza vaccine development, manufacturing, and regulatory expertise to our Center.”

Hitting The Sweet Spot In Sugar Land, TX

The City of Sugar Land, TX has combined a great quality of life, a growing constellation of cultural attractions and a business-friendly climate that should prove attractive to companies looking for prime locations for their facilities and tourists looking for an interesting and entertaining destination.

The focal point of Sugar Land’s push to become a destination of choice is the redevelopment of the Imperial Sugar refinery and adjacent Tract 3 property. Last year, Constellation Field, became the first project to open within the Imperial Development. This a gem of a ballpark, already becoming the go-to place for year-round entertainment, embraces the three goals of the redevelopment: historic preservation of key buildings; continued aesthetic/architectural quality; and economic development that creates successful and vibrant community projects.

The Sugar Land Skeeters’ inaugural minor league baseball season at Constellation Field last year set an Atlantic League attendance record of 465,511. When compared to minor league teams affiliated with Major League Baseball, Sugar Land ranked third in Texas behind the Triple A Round Rock Express and Double A Frisco Roughriders. In a national comparison of all professional minor league baseball teams, both affiliated and independent, Sugar Land’s average game attendance was in the top 25, with 6,751 guests per game. Constellation Field was chosen via fan vote for Baseball America’s 2013 Great Parks Calendar, the Skeeters organization was named a runner–up for Baseball Digest ‘s 2012 Organization of the Year and the new stadium was selected to host the Southland Conference Baseball Tournament, scheduled to take place in May.

Constellation Field serves as a year–round venue for community events, such as concerts and sports tournaments. It has a variety of dynamic settings, accommodating intimate catered events to large–scale stadium seating of up to 5,000 for on–field events. The stadium offered a variety of indoor and outdoor meeting and party rooms for businesses, weddings or other events. The stadium’s first two concert events were performances by REO Speedwagon and ZZ Top.

Design has begun on planned indoor Performing Arts Center that is planned for a 21-acre site near the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard, with a letter of intent with ACE SL, LLC was approved in August by the Sugar Land Development Corp. The City intends to create a financially feasible, operationally self–sustainable signature facility that will promote economic development, create jobs and enhance educational offerings.

To help give ACE input on the facility’s amenities, appearance and function, two planning sessions were held in the fall with team members from ACE, the architects and the City. The schematic designs are expected to be completed and ready to share with the community this spring. No timeline has been set for completion of the project. The venue will be located in Telfair within a larger mixed–use development that includes the future campuses of Fluor Enterprises, Inc. and Texas Instruments, Inc., and other proposed uses, such as a hotel and restaurant.

Sugar Land Town Square is a 32–acre, award–winning, mixed–use, public–private development. It is now fully developed and contains upscale retail and restaurants, Class A offices, a hotel and conference center, residential condominiums and City Hall. Retailers that opened in Town Square in fiscal year 2012 included Sur la Table, Gem and Bead Gallery, Pinot’s Palette, Brilliant Sky Toys and Books and Revolution Studio. New restaurants included Ruggles Green, Guru Burgers & Crepes and BLU.

The 1.3–acre plaza hosted 200 free events in fiscal year 2012 attended by nearly 100,000 people. Events included Fitness in the Plaza, Halloween Town, Christmas Tree Lighting and the New Year’s Eve event, as well as art and fashion shows, international festivals and awareness campaigns.

At the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Sugar Land, the Hall of Paleontology has been expanded and is now twice its original size. Arranged in chronological order, it features a triceratops and many exquisite fossils from the Paleozoic era, as well as a large collection of trilobites, extinct arthropods, Stenopterygius, Holzmaden and a sea crocodile. A new, saltwater aquarium includes a wide variety of fishes and aquatic life.

Sugar Land’s stable local economy is a magnet for relocating and expanding firms. In fiscal year 2012, significant relocations were announced, including several Fortune 500 firms that operate internationally and other national and local firms. These combined projects will result in more than $221 million in new capital investment, 1000 new jobs, 2,000 retained jobs and more than 423,000 square feet of newly constructed or leased space.

Several key planned development applications were approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council during 2012, including the Imperial/Tract 3 and Telfair developments. The City Council approved the Imperial General Land Plan Amendment 1 and zoning applications for 690–acres (the majority of the development in Imperial was Constellation Field and the associated street construction). Several key projects continue within the Telfair commercial area near U.S. Highway 59, including a Costco store, the future office campus for Texas Instruments and Fluor and planning for the performing arts center.

At the end of fiscal year 2012, Sugar Land had more than 23 million square feet of commercial space; this included 7.5 million square feet of office space, 7.6 million square feet of retail space and 8.2 million square feet of industrial space.

The Sugar Land Development Corporation and Sugar Land 4B Corporation (SL4B) each collect a quarter cent sales tax that directly funds economic development programs and City activities. The focus of SLDC is business recruitment and retention initiatives, while SL4B focuses more on quality–of–life initiatives and strategic development projects.

Propane Mega-Plant Fuels Job Growth In Alvin, TX

Gov. Rick Perry recently announced that Ascend Performance Materials Texas Inc. will construct a new propane dehydrogenation facility in Alvin, Texas, creating 100 jobs and $1.2 billion in capital investment. The state is providing $1 million through the Texas Enterprise Fund to close the deal on this expansion and job creation. Execution of the state’s agreement is contingent upon finalization of a local incentive package.

“Through our combination of low taxes, predictable regulations, fair courts, skilled workforce and competitive incentives like the TEF, Texas is a national model for creating jobs and prosperity,” Gov. Perry said. “Ascend’s new facility in Brazoria County, with more than a billion dollars worth of capital investment and the creation of 100 new jobs, further strengthens the Gulf Coast’s economy and chemical production industry.”

Ascend is a global leader in proprietary technologies central to the production of chemicals, and Nylon 6,6 plastics and fibers. Nylon 6,6 is the material of choice for high performance applications in the engineering plastics and fibers industries globally, and can be found in thousands of commercial and industrial products such as apparel, automotive, building and industrial, chemicals, consumer goods, electronic and military industries. The company has five manufacturing facilities in the U.S., which allow it to develop new products from its core technologies, and provides flexibility to respond to the expanding needs of its customers. The new facility in Alvin will focus on propane dehydrogenation, a method of producing propylene, which is common chemical building block for plastic and synthetic fiber products.

“This project builds on the existing strength of the Ascend position as a global leader in the chemicals and nylon businesses. The active support of the governor’s office, as well as that of state and local authorities, has contributed to our progress in the early stages of the development of the project,” said Tim Strehl, Ascend president.

“Ascend picked the right place to expand their business,” State Sen. Larry Taylor said. “The talented workforce in Senate District 11 and the State of Texas can provide the perfect partners for innovative companies looking to succeed.”

The Ascend project is just the latest of several major projects that have come to fruition in Texas as the oil and gas giant continues to flex its energy muscles. Gov. Perry announced last year that Dow Chemical Co. will create 150 new jobs and $1.7 billion in capital investment with the location of a hydrocarbon cracker in Brazoria County. The governor was joined at the announcement by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Dow CEO and Chairman Andrew Liveris and lawmakers; Perry committed the state to investing $1 million through the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) to close the deal on this project.

“When it comes to attracting jobs, the Texas Enterprise Fund may help close the deal and provide the final piece of the puzzle, but it’s Texas’ growing reputation as the country’s best place to build your business that puts us in the running in the first place,” Gov. Perry said. “This announcement is great news for Texas, and even better news for the people who will eventually work at this new facility thanks to this TEF investment.”

Dow Chemical Co. is a worldwide manufacturer and supplier of products that go into businesses such as specialty chemicals, electronics, agrosciences and plastics. The new ethylene cracker in Brazoria County will processes natural gas and natural gas liquids to create ethylene, to produce plastic resins and other chemical intermediates that are used to manufacture a variety of materials including transportation, building and construction, infrastructure, wire and cable, medical devices, personal care and food packaging. This will be Dow’s largest ethylene cracker worldwide, and will use U.S. produced shale gas and natural gas liquids.

“Dow is proud to be making a significant investment in Texas with the construction of a new world-scale ethylene production plant—a key part of our comprehensive plan to further connect our U.S. operations with cost-advantaged feedstocks available from increasing supplies of U.S. shale gas,” Dow Chemical Company chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris said. “We received a lot of support from our local community and from this business-friendly state via the Texas Enterprise Fund, and are proud to expand upon our longstanding history of investing in Texas.”

The Legislature created the TEF in 2003 and has re-appropriated funding in every legislative session since then to help ensure the growth of Texas businesses and create more jobs throughout the state. TEF projects must be approved by the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House. The fund has since become one of the state’s most competitive tools to recruit and bolster business. To date, the TEF has invested more than $498.8 million and closed the deal on projects generating more than 67,400 new jobs and more than $19.9 billion in capital investment in the state.

Gov. Perry has made diversifying the energy mix of Texas’ electricity market one of his major priorities, helping to lower electricity prices. In 2012, Texas relied on a variety of fuel sources to meet the growing demand for electricity, including 34 percent of energy produced coming from coal, 45 percent from natural gas, 12 percent from nuclear, 9 percent from wind, and 0.5 percent from other sources such as hydro, biomass, landfill gas, and solar.

In 2007, Gov. Perry signed comprehensive energy efficiency legislation, House Bill 3693, into law. This legislation created incentives to reduce energy costs through investing in energy efficiency technologies. As a result, Texans reduced electric consumption in 2009 alone in the state by 506,000 megawatt hours. In 2011, Perry signed Senate Bill (S.B.) 1125 increasing the energy efficiency goals, including cost caps for those programs to ensure the costs remain reasonable for customers, and allowing consumers to participate in the generation market through demand-management.

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DCI Engineers provided structural design services for this multi-building office complex, which totals close to 500,000 square feet in space.

Posted by Heidi Schwartz

RealNetworks Inc. has announced that the company is moving its Seattle headquarters to a brand new office space in Home Plate Center later this year. RealNetworks signed an 11-year lease agreement to occupy over 85,000 square feet (with options for future growth), moving its entire Seattle team of more than 350 employees to the modernized office space.

“We’re very excited to be anchoring our new headquarters at Home Plate Center,” said Rob Glaser, founder, and interim CEO of RealNetworks. “This move reinforces our long-term commitment to the Seattle community and fits our strategic initiatives, our financial objectives, and our global footprint.   Moreover, when we launched RealNetworks in 1995, we were based in Seattle’s Pioneer Square, just up the street from HPC, so in a very real way we’re going back to our roots.”

RealNetworks has a global footprint extending from Seattle to Seoul, Tokyo, and Beijing in Asia to Victoria, BC, in Canada, to New York and Washington, DC, on the East Coast, and to London, Eindhoven and Salzburg in Europe, creating a much more geographically dispersed workforce than in 1999 when Real last moved its HQ. The new headquarters feature the accommodations necessary to support a global company, including advanced technological infrastructure, environmentally efficient design, and interior and exterior spaces that foster collaboration and engagement.

RealNetworks will be the anchor tenant in Home Plate Center, which is located kitty-corner from Safeco Field on First Avenue South in Seattle’s vibrant SODO neighborhood. The company will initially occupy the fourth through sixth floors, with options for future growth.

SkB Architects, well known for designing collaborative and open workspaces for leading local companies, will create a customized build-out that embraces the natural elements of the Pacific Northwest. Once completed, the new office will reinforce energy efficiency, promote communication and collaboration across the company with features such as open meeting areas, a three-level staircase to improve flow throughout the company, and a lunchroom located on the top floor adjacent to the outdoor deck.

“We’re thrilled to welcome RealNetworks as the anchor tenant at Home Plate Center,” said Henry Liebman, CEO of American Life. “They are a major company that matches the innovation and dynamic growth of the SODO neighborhood. We’re sure they’ll appreciate the location, amenities and ease of access to all modes of transportation.”

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Pacific Corporate Park in Dulles, VA is now known as Raytheon’s “Dulles Hub.” (Photo: Foxcorp.com)

Posted by Heidi Schwartz

Raytheon Company has announced that two of its four businesses will have new headquarters locations. The decisions stem from the company consolidation announced March 25, 2013, intended to streamline operations, increase productivity and achieve stronger alignment with its customers’ priorities.

Raytheon’s newly formed Intelligence, Information and Services (IIS) business will establish its headquarters at the company’s existing Dulles, VA, hub operations in Sterling, VA. IIS provides a full range of ISR, navigation, weather, cybersecurity, training, logistics, mission support and engineering solutions for the intelligence community, government and commercial customers.

Raytheon’s Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) business headquarters will transition from El Segundo, CA, to McKinney, Texas, where the company already has a major business presence. Raytheon will maintain business operations in California, as well as in other states. SAS builds radars and other sensors for aircraft, spacecraft and ships; provides communications and electronic warfare solutions; and performs research in areas ranging from linguistics to quantum computing.

The headquarters of Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems and Missile Systems businesses remain in Tewksbury, MA, and Tucson, AZ, respectively.

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Posted by Heidi Schwartz

GreatCall, Inc. and the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) announced the opening of a new call center location in Reno, NV. The move will bring approximately 400 business support jobs to Reno throughout the next five years, including 75 jobs within the first six months.

GreatCall offers wireless health and safety services for aging consumers and their families. Founded in 2006, the company is widely recognized as the creator of the Jitterbug, as well as the popular 5Star Urgent Response. The company also supports a suite of health and medical apps such as Urgent Care and MedCoach.

GreatCall’s Reno location will serve as a call center for the company’s mobile health and safety offerings, housing a customer service team, 24/7 live operator assistance and a team of 5Star Urgent Response agents. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, GreatCall currently employs more than 500 U.S.based, full-time staff.

“As mobile safety and health solutions become more prevalent each year, it is critical to meet this expanding demand with highly trained emergency responders and customer care representatives,” said David Inns, president and CEO at GreatCall. “Our new facility and expanded team of experts will allow us to continue to provide the superior level of personalized service for which GreatCall is known.”

Nev. Gov. Brian Sandoval, City of Reno Mayor Bob Cashell, EDAWN Chair Stephanie Kruse, Collier International’s Melissa Molyneaux and Tim Ruffin, and Nevada Job Connect’s John Parel  joined EDAWN CEO Mike Kazmierski in welcoming GreatCall, Inc. to northern Nevada.

“We are thrilled to welcome GreatCall to our community.”  Said, Mike Kazmierski, CEO of EDAWN, “The 400 new quality jobs they bring is one of our largest announcements over the past 10 years.  More importantly, they are a high growth company in a growing, health and safety sector.”

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(Photo: Heidi Schwartz)

Posted by Heidi Schwartz

The New York City Regional Economic Development Council (NYCREDC) and NYC SeedStart have announced “NYC SeedStart Enterprise 2013,” a startup focused accelerator program in New York City. The initial program will target entrepreneurs tackling enterprise solutions and provide resources and opportunities for the entrepreneurs to collaborate with one another, discuss problems and challenges, and build the next generation of enterprise technology. NYC SeedStart Enterprise 2013 is part of a series of six business accelerator programs moving forward on the strength of a $550,000 award from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Council initiative, as well as corporate partners CA Technologies, Deutsche Telekom and others.

Applications for the program must be submitted by May 5. The program will begin July 8 in New York City and conclude with presentations to investors in September.

“New York City is the place to be for entrepreneurs with innovative ideas looking to create the products of tomorrow,” said Matthew Goldstein, Chancellor of the City University of New York and NYCREDC Co-chair. “The NYCREDC identified the NYC SeedStart program series as one of its priorities because it is exactly what we need to grow early stage startups into job-creating companies. We are very pleased to partner with NYC SeedStart and look forward to seeing the new products and companies that result from this collaboration.”

“We have brought together a unique group of industry, city and entrepreneurial mentors in order to help grow the next big enterprise companies here in NYC,” said Owen Davis, Managing Director of NYC Seed and founder of NYC SeedStart. “We want to see the ideas developed by New Yorkers transformed into new companies that stay, grow and lead the new economy in New York. This summer’s program will launch the next generation of entrepreneurs, and we commend the State and all of our partners for their support.”

The NYC SeedStart accelerator program series strongly aligns with the NYCREDC’s economic development strategy and was identified as a priority project. As a result, NYC SeedStart was awarded a $550,000 grant from Empire State Development to support six 12-week business accelerator programs to foster the growth of startups in New York City. NYC SeedStart Enterprise 2013 will receive a portion of the grant funds and the balance will provide continued support to future accelerator programs.

“For far too long, innovative and transformative new ideas have been developed in New York only to be exported and commercialized in other states,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams. “Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, we are working harder than ever with partners like NYC SeedStart to connect startups with corporate partners that can turn concepts into products, which will grow new businesses and create jobs at home in New York. The NYC SeedStart Enterprise 2013 program will develop the next generation of high-tech companies that we need to continue growing our economy and remain at the forefront of the 21st century global economy.”

The vertical focus of NYC SeedStart Enterprise 2013 is “uniquely New York,” involving numerous corporate participants working collaboratively to foster the growth of new startups in New York State and bridge the gap between large enterprise corporations and early stage startups that are developing new technology to transform the industry. Future NYC SeedStart programs will focus on other industry verticals. The NYC SeedStart consortium includes NYC Seed, Contour Venture Partners, RRE Ventures, StarVest Partners and Safeguard Scientific.

The intensive, 12-week program is designed to help entrepreneurs focused on the next-generation of enterprise software launch new ventures in New York City. New York City has become one of the leading entrepreneurial eco-systems in the country. With access to large amounts of capital, highly experienced investors and a robust ecosystem, New York is a very attractive location for companies to launch. The goal of NYC SeedStart Enterprise 2013 is to establish an infrastructure that will enable talented entrepreneurs to work on important enterprise trends and products in New York City and launch their ventures.

Startup companies accepted into the program will have direct access to senior level executives from partnering firms and receive $20,000, as well as mentorship and workspace. In addition, startups selected for the program will also receive support from an outstanding group of venture capital firms including Contour Venture Partners, NYC Seed, RRE Ventures, Safeguard Scientifics and StarVest Partners, as well as many notable entrepreneurs and Empire State Development (ESD), Silicon Valley Bank and the law firm of SorinRoyerCooper.

The growing number of new enterprise software companies in New York City over the last several years has led to a stream of new innovations that the leading enterprise companies are eager to grasp. Startups will benefit from the advice and possible partnership with their larger counterparts, while participating corporations will have exposure to the cutting edge technology and ideas created during the course of the program.

Maria Gotsch, President and CEO of the Partnership Fund for New York City said, “New York City is a key market for enterprise technology given the extensive number of large corporations operating here. Through the Enterprise 2013 accelerator and with the Partnership Fund’s help, NYC SeedStart will provide both capital and access to key corporate relationships to catalyze the growth of the next generation of enterprise tech companies and associated jobs in New York City.”

Russell M. Artzt, Vice Chairman and founder, CA Technologies said, “I am excited to participate in the NYC SeedStart enterprise program. We look forward to working with entrepreneurs that are trying to build innovative enterprise companies and supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in New York. Hopefully our mentorship will lead to some strategic partnership discussions with CA Technologies.”

Stuart Ellman, Co-Founder and Managing Parner of RRE Ventures said, “At RRE, we see the need and the tremendous potential for an enterprise incubator such as NYC SeedStart. We are proud to be a supporter and look forward to working with the companies.”

Andreas Wuerfel, Director Innovation & Technology Scouting Deutsche Telekom, Inc. said, “At Deutsche Telekom we embrace and value the power of innovation. It is exactly programs such as ‘Enterprise 2013’ that help foster that vital dialog between New York’s entrepreneurs and corporate organizations. We look forward to participating in this year’s program and are excited to help shape potential win-win strategic opportunities.”

Among the hundreds of companies applying to be a part of the program, NYC SeedStart Enterprise 2013 is seeking companies building new technology in SaaS, real-time analytics, security, cloud services, and consumerized enterprise products.

For more information about NYC SeedStart Enterprise 2013, visit www.nycseedstart.com. Inquiries should be directed to Brian Malkerson at info@nycseedstart.com.

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“We’re excited to expand our commitment to the state of Kentucky,” said Kenneth Tuchman, chairman and chief executive officer of TeleTech. “The talented labor force in the state will help us deliver exceptional support to our Fortune 1000 clients and their customers.”

The company will offer a range of positions in Paducah, including trainers, human capital managers, talent acquisition specialists, facilities managers, senior desktop support technicians, team leads, business analysts, service delivery managers and customer service representatives.

“I am so pleased to welcome TeleTech to Paducah and look forward to a long and productive relationship,” said Sen. Bob Leeper, of Paducah. “They know that Kentucky is a good place to do business.”

“This is great news and could not come at a better time for our local economy,” said Rep. Gerald Watkins, of Paducah. “I’m especially pleased that TeleTech is helping both our downtown and our commerce park. I want to thank the company’s leaders for taking such a major step, and I appreciate the hard work our local and state officials have done to help make this possible.”

“Cities across the country are putting forth their best efforts to retain and attract companies. In this competitive climate, I am proud that TeleTech has chosen to bring 450 jobs to Paducah,” said Paducah Mayor Gayle Kaler. “I feel that TeleTech will be pleased with the workforce, the quality of life, and the sense of community that Paducah and McCracken County offer. I also applaud the collaboration between McCracken County, Paducah Economic Development and the city of Paducah in bringing this project to fruition. Job creation is a top priority.”

“We are honored that TeleTech has decided to open two facilities here in McCracken County,” said McCracken County Judge-Executive Van Newberry. “The creation of 450 jobs for our area is most welcome!”

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Rendering provided by Downtown Development District – a computer rendering shows what downtown Baton Rouge would look like with more trees.

Gov. Bobby Jindal and IBM Senior Vice President Colleen Arnold have announced that IBM will establish an 800-job technology center in downtown Baton Rouge that will provide software development and software maintenance services to clients in the United States.

IBM Services Center: Baton Rouge is the result of an innovative, public-private partnership that will include expanded higher-education programs related to computer science as well as a major new riverfront development that will accelerate the revitalization of downtown Baton Rouge. The center will employ a broad range of college graduates and experienced professionals with backgrounds in computer science and other quantitative-intense fields, such as engineering, mathematics, and science.

The rapid and widespread adoption of mobile and social technologies within the last three years has changed the way customers and companies interact with one another – driving fundamental transformations to business processes and applications. The center will provide IBM’s clients in the United States with services that address the increasing demand for flexible software services to keep up with Big Data, cloud and mobile requirements that they are facing. IBM Services Center: Baton Rouge will deliver technology services including application development, application management and system integration.

In addition to the 800 jobs that will be created at the center over the next four years, LSU estimates the project will result in approximately 542 new indirect jobs, for a total of approximately 1,342 new, permanent jobs in the Capital Region.

Gov. Jindal said, “This project will continue to position Louisiana as a leader in the global technology sector as we are bringing in one of the largest, most successful, most innovative companies to create a first-of-its-kind software development center in Louisiana.

“This historic partnership will help drive major economic activity and extraordinary professional and student achievement. Indeed, this investment is a big win for LSU, Baton Rouge and our entire state because it means we can make sure our students can find good-paying jobs here at home. No longer are our students just competing with their peers in Texas and Georgia for jobs. Our students are now competing with their peers from all over the world to find jobs in the 21st century workforce. In order to make sure our students compete and win, we must make sure they have the very best training and skills in the world – especially in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This partnership accomplishes that goal. We are investing in our students and workers so America can continue to have the most skilled workforce in the world.”

“This center exemplifies IBM’s longtime commitment to partner with local communities and academic institutions to develop the capabilities our clients need,” said Colleen Arnold, Senior Vice President, Application Management Services, IBM. “Our global capability model is designed to address the broadest spectrum of client requirements, build and deliver advanced skills, while inspiring and sustaining the next-generation workforce that drives innovation.”

The State will provide $14 million in funding over 10 years for expanded higher-education programs designed primarily to increase the number of annual computer science graduates. At least 65 percent of these funds will be provided for expansion of the Computer Science Division of the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at LSU. LSU plans to double its computer science faculty and triple the number of computer science graduates in five years, which will place the LSU Computer Science program in the top 10-15 nationally for the number of B.S. degrees in computer science awarded annually.

To fast track program growth, LSU’s College of Engineering will launch the “Geaux Digital Louisiana” consortium. This unique initiative represents a statewide partnership with high schools, community and technical colleges and other universities to promote interest in computer science related career fields and enhance student recruitment.

Additionally, IBM will work closely with local professors at LSU to create coursework focused on technology, math and software development, and equip students to meet the growing demand for business services including advanced analytics, process innovation and application development.

“This public-private partnership with Louisiana Economic Development, IBM and LSU is a powerful example of the triangulation between industry, government and academia that elevates the state’s role as a national leader in economic development,” said Koubek. “LSU’s College of Engineering is committed to developing a mutually beneficial partnership with IBM and LED that stimulates economic growth and helps to meet the workforce development needs of the state.”

A central element of the public-private partnership involved in securing the IBM center is the construction of a mixed-use, riverfront complex that will be developed by Commercial Properties Realty Trust (CPRT), a real estate investment trust that manages and develops property holdings of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF). Inspired by New Urbanism design principles, the complex will include an office building that will house the new IBM Services Center, as well as a separate, 11-story residential building with 95 river-view apartments and nine separate town homes.

The riverfront complex is being built on the old Advocate newspaper site bordered by Main, North, Lafayette Street and River Road. Total investment for the combined development is estimated to be $55 million. The approximately $30.5 million office building will be funded by the State of Louisiana ($14.8 million) and the City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge ($3.0 million), as well as $12.7 million in Community Development Block Grant funds. The BRAF-affiliated Wilbur Marvin Foundation (WMF) will own the office building. CPRT will secure private financing for the residential building, which will also be an asset of the WMF. The office building is scheduled for completion by spring 2015 with the residential complex following in the summer. During construction of the new riverfront complex, IBM will be temporarily lease space at the Essen Centre office complex in Baton Rouge. CPRT estimates that the new complex will result in the creation of approximately 600 construction jobs.

“We have partnered successfully with the state to build The Shaw Center for the Arts in downtown,” said John G. Davies, Baton Rouge Area Foundation president and CEO. “This latest collaboration will provide space for 800 professional technology jobs, and apartments for hundreds to live in the city center, an important piece of continuing the revival of downtown.”

LED has offered IBM a customized, performance-based incentive package that also includes grants totaling $29.5 million over 12 years, including a $1.5 million contribution from the City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge, to reimburse costs related to personnel recruitment, relocation, and other workforce-related costs; internal training; and facility operating expenses. The company also will utilize LED FastStart® for recruitment support, as well as Louisiana’s Quality Jobs program.

“The IBM Services Center: Baton Rouge is a game changer for our city, putting us at the forefront nationally of producing a technology-based workforce and new jobs,” said Mayor Holden. “In a very short period of time, this project will bring development to our downtown and riverfront that will have a ripple effect on further private investment. This announcement today sends a strong message to our next generation that Baton Rouge is a great place to study, work and build an exciting future in what is truly becoming America’s next great city.”

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Faurecia North America announced more details of its plans for a new headquarters building in Auburn Hills at the hub of activity for southeast Michigan’s auto industry. (PRNewsFoto/Faurecia North America)

In Michigan, automotive supplier Faurecia has opened six new locations since 2010 and a total of 13 sites that collectively employ more than 4,000 people. Its success has led Faurecia North America to begin construction on a new headquarters building that also will house technical centers for Faurecia Automotive Seating and Faurecia Automotive Exteriors.

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The Washington, DC-based auto insurer will invest millions of dollars to lease, renovate and equip 109,000 square feet of space in the area. The new office, which is expected to be operational by late April, will house professional insurance agents, their training and supervisory teams and additional management and support staff.

“Indiana continues to win the business of leading corporations like GEICO,” said Pence. “While our greatest selling point is always our quality workforce, Indiana’s fiscal stability, low-tax climate and business-friendly policies make days like today happen. We welcome GEICO to Indiana and are confident the gecko will find that our state works for business.”

“We’re very pleased that our substantial growth is making it possible for us to open a new office,” said Nicely. “We chose central Indiana because we know there is a talented and well-educated workforce in this area and we want to offer people long-term career opportunities as we continue to expand.”

Founded in 1936 as an automobile insurance company, GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the third largest private passenger auto insurer in the country, serving more than 11 million auto policies and covering more than 18 million vehicles (auto and motorcycle).

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered GEICO up to $10,000,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $400,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. The city of Carmel supports the project.

“We are thrilled to welcome GEICO’s first Indiana location to the Carmel community. Our focus and commitment to a high quality of life and low taxes are always key in attracting and retaining business. When a company with a solid reputation such as GEICO decides to invest in our city, we realize a long term gain through economic development and job growth. With the creation of 1,200 jobs by 2016, this is great news for Carmel and the region,” said Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard.

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With U.S. based companies continuing to invest in information technology, there is an increased need for a skilled workforce—a demand that will only grow as technology becomes synonymous with corporate America. Currently, many companies look overseas to fill STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) jobs, but with a new emphasis on higher education’s connection to economic development, U.S. companies can create a long-term solution to their technology needs. Eagle Creek’s onshore model, coordinated with a new scholarship program at the University of South Dakota (USD), gives business control over their IT talent pool and IT needs.

“Foreign, or offshore, IT solutions are not adequately filling the needs of the U.S. market,” said Ken Behrendt, president of Eagle Creek Software Services. “Technical skills are only one piece of core IT competencies. Today’s IT reality requires an understanding of U.S. business practices, communications skills beyond technology and a focus on time-to-market.  By better educating our workforce, Eagle Creek Software Services can create a more sustainable and scalable IT solution while growing jobs in America.”

Through a partnership with the Board of Regents and USD, the newly launched Information Technology Consultant Academy will provide eligible students with a scholarship and a strategic career track to employment as an IT consultant.  USD students have two scholarship options: a certificate program for undergraduates and a master’s program. The South Dakota Board of Regents plans to approve the certificate program at its April Board meeting and discussions between Eagle Creek and the Board of Regents continue about a customized master’s degree.

“The challenges of today’s job market call for new skills and approaches,” said James W. Abbott, president of the University of South Dakota.  “Our mission as a university should be to prepare students to succeed in an increasingly high-tech workforce.  We applaud and are proud to partner with Eagle Creek on this innovative project. The Information Technology Consultant Academy will put students on a career path for success.”

The IT Consultant Academy at USD will create a well-trained local workforce in South Dakota who can take advantage of high paying jobs. Graduates of the certificate program can expect to make between $40,000-45,000. Students with a master’s may earn between $50,000-$60,000.

“This is a great day for South Dakota and the resurgent technology business in America,” said Gov. Dennis Daugaard.  “With a $10 million investment in the Vermillion community and new career path for University of South Dakota students, we are on track to create meaningful jobs that will benefit the community and make South Dakota more globally competitive in the information technology sector.”

The city of Vermillion proved to be an ideal location for Eagle Creek’s South Dakota expansion.

“Vermillion is already known as a destination for world class higher education,” said Steve Howe of the Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company. “This announcement further positions our city as a leader in technology and a global force in the IT industry. Vermillion is proud to be on the forefront of South Dakota’s technology surge.”

The undergraduate IT Consultant Academy certificate program consists of:

• 12 credit hours with a scholarship for full tuition and fees
• 3 month paid internship with Eagle Creek
• Job interview with Eagle Creek

The Master’s Degree program consists of:

• 2-3 year program ending with a Master’s Degree
• Job interview with Eagle Creek
• Scholarship for as much as $20,000

The IT Consultant Academy will take its first full class this fall and the new technology center in Vermillion will be open in 2014.

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