Chance for Innovation
Author: Ann Gallaher
April 2007
by Ann Gallaher, COO, Greater Dayton IT Alliance
Over the past year the Ohio Department of Development, through Third Frontier and Edison Business Incubators, has funded support services and investment opportunities for early stage companies. This month the Dayton Development Coalition received additional funds from the state's Third Frontier Entrepreneurial Signature Program bringing the program’s total to $24 million dollars. The focus of the program is to provide funds that can be channeled into grants for companies seeking to bring new products and technologies to market.
With new focus over the next three years the Ohio Department of Development will use its Edison Centers – to include Ohio’s IT Alliance – to focus on mid-cap companies generally with revenues in the $5 to $250 million range. They will concentrate their activities on companies that are in the “Market Entry” and “Growth and Sustainability” phases of the commercialization framework.
The Greater Dayton IT Alliance, through its community forums and the Tech Source program, will begin partnering with research and development organizations to provide insight into innovative technologies that present companies the chance for collaboration. Conversations with the Air Force Research Lab, daytaOhio, and others will provide more information about research and technologies available right in our backyard.
This is particularly timely because of the impact of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) legislation and the relocation of missions to Wright Patterson Air Force Base, in particular the consolidation of Human Effectiveness (HE) and Sensors (SN) directorates of the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL).
An effective engagement of all the potential industry partners in the region to collaborate in research and development and the commercialization of technologies and ideas for new consumer products and services could be a real win for local companies and for the region. We hope you get involved with us in our new journey!
