Curiosity Kills the Grease
Lee Bruno, Innovation Pipeline

Case Western University researchers have developed an ultralight sponge material that’s able to draw oil out of contaminated water. Composed of clay and plastic, it was originally invented by Ph.D. student Matt Gawryla as a new kitty litter. Read more...

Bloom Energy Promises Cheap, Emissions-Free Power From a Small Box
Jeremy Hsu, Popular Science

A boxy power plant that could one day produce efficient, inexpensive, clean energy in every home might sound like a pipe dream, but it's the very real product of a Silicon Valley startup called Bloom Energy. Twenty large corporations that include Google, FedEx, Walmart and eBay have already purchased and begun testing the Bloom Boxes. Read more...


US EPA Says to Ease Carbon Rules on Small Business
Timothy Gardner, Reuters

A The Obama administration will give small businesses a break on coming carbon dioxide emissions rules but big emitters like coal-fired power plants will face a crack-down, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson said on Wednesday. Read more...

Breakthrough Danish Enzymes to Lower Biofuel Price Point to Petroleum Levels
Stuart Fox, Popular Science

Producing a biofuel cheap enough to compete at the pump with oil has remained as elusive as a ghost on the walls of Elsinore castle. But this week, two Danish companies announced they had developed enzymes capable of breaking down cellulose into ethanol cheaply enough to produce $2-a-gallon gas. Read more...

Publisher's note: Larta Institute works with early stage and emerging entrepreneurs who have received federal grants to commercialize research in many of the areas referred to in the articles above, including waste water treatment, biofuels and clean energy.  Our programs deal with the three key and fundamental areas of human concern, food, fuel and healing.

2010 Ag Innovation Showcase: Keynote Speakers and Panel Topics Announced
May 24-25, 2010 - Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO

20% discount available. Use coupon code 20AG10 upon registration.

The Ag Showcase is the leading annual global event for industry leaders, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and investors. Keynote speakers will include Dr. Jerry Caudler, Executive Chairman of Finistere Ventures and Dr. Brian Willson, Director of CSU Clean Energy Supercluster.

This year’s program will feature emerging technologies and insightful discussions; both offering innovative approaches to advancing sustainability and productivity in agriculture. The three panel topics will be "The Nexus of Energy and Agriculture", "The Future of Ag: Global Partnerships & Collaborations", and "Ag Ventures in 2010: Is Agriculture the next Cleantech?" Read more about keynote speakers and panel topics here.

Global Bridge: Malaysia Pilot CAP Concluded

Larta Institute’s pilot Global Bridge: Malaysia CAP (Commercialization Assistance Program concluded successfully this month. In its effort to accelerate the commercialization of technologies and innovations developed at Malaysia’s higher learning and research institutions, the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation joined with Larta Institute to assist twelve researchers and start-ups in developing their commercialization plans and enhancing their profile in their chosen sector. These entrepreneurs, doing business in the nutraceutical, healthcare, agricultural, and industrial biotechnology industries, received regular mentoring throughout the program and attended web based workshops covering topics such as market research, partnering strategies, and intellectual property.  The program was concluded with introductions to industry experts, from companies such as Genzyme, Quintiles, and Johnson & Johnson, who provided objective feedback and guidance on commercialization opportunities efforts and strategy.

Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation and Larta Institute are currently working on developing a full program, which should start next month, April 2010.

Successful Start to the Biannual NSF Commercialization Program

143 companies who have received SBIR Phase I grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and who have been assigned to Larta Institute for commercialization assistance services under its NSF-CAP1 program met with representatives from Larta at NSF’s grantees conference in Arlington, VA between March 8 and 10, 2010. The objective behind the program is to guide these entrepreneurs in the preparation of their commercialization plans to be submitted as part of their next-stage, Phase II applications. Larta will be assisting them develop strong Commercialization Plans that communicate market dynamics, company leadership, financial projections, and product competition. Companies represent a wide range of sectors including Nanotechnology, Advanced Materials & Manufacturing; Biotechnology & Chemical Technologies; IT & Communication; and Education. This biannual program features two cycles of entrants, in January and July, remote, online assistance from advisors spread throughout the U.S. and a strong centralized program management and content development effort.

Publisher's note: Larta,  Danforth Plant Sciences Center and NIDUS partner in creating and producing the annual Ag Innovation Showcase in St. Louis (see announcement above, under Announcements).

Agriculture 2.0 - The Sustainable Agriculture Investment Conference
March 24, 2010 - The Four Seasons Hotel in Silicon Valley, Palo Alta, CA

Agriculture 2.0, the sustainable agriculture investment conference, is less than two weeks away, and the response has been astounding.  Already, we have over 200 confirmed attendees and each one represents an opportunity to connect with someone who will impact the future of sustainable agriculture in a big way.

There is good reason firms like Kleiner Perkins, Khosla, Black River, Foundation Capital, Venrock, Mohr Davidow, RockPort, RedPoint, Flagship and Slow Money are sending delegates:  because agriculture is the next cleantech.  Industry professionals from Dow Chemical, the USDA and Food Alliance will be there for the same reason: this one-day event is where the conversations about sustainable agriculture investment will take place. The event will feature 25 investment opportunities, ranging from information technology to soil measurement to fish farming, and countless other entrepreneurs (from firms like Earthbound Farm, Open Blue Sea Farms and Cleanfish Alliance) will be in attendance looking to meet investors.

Join Agriculture 2.0 March 24th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Palo Alto.  Don’t miss out on this special opportunity.  Click here to register.

Go Green Expos
March 19-21, 2010 - Pier 92, New York, NY
April 16-18, 2010 - Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Go Green Expo, coming to Pier 92 on March 19-21.  Sponsored by CBS Television, The Home Depot and co-located with the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, this year's Go Green Expo is not to be missed!

Come see eco-friendly companies, services and products that are making the world a cleaner & greener place for you and your family. Join thousands of consumers and over 200 exhibits displaying eco- friendly alternatives to everyday products that can help you to lead a clean, healthy & low-carbon lifestyle.

Purchase your ticket in advance at www.gogreenexpo.com and pay only $10 for entire weekend (normally $25) with promo code LARTA.

Global Communications 2.0 - Leveraging Social Media
March 30, 2010 - Saint Louis University, St Louis, MO

There is more to the social media hype than Facebook, Twitter, Myspace etc. There are emerging business models, revenue streams and cost cutting techniques that can result from effectively tapping social media. Please join Global Communications 2.0 for this thought provoking panel discussion on the role of social media in your global communication mix. You will also get an opportunity to exchange ideas and thoughts on social media with attendees in form of "Speed Table Networking".  The event will be held at Saint Louis University, John Cook School of Business. $25 admission.  Special: $15 for the ITEN Community if you register here.

Gateway to Innovation Conference
April 20, 2010 - Chase Park Plaza, St Louis, MO

The annual Gateway to Innovation (G2I) Conference brings together many great IT leaders and thinkers from around the globe and the St. Louis region to inspire, collaborate and maintain the competitive advantage in an industry that demands more for less. More than 500 IT leaders and practitioners attended the event in 2009.

The 2010 conference will explore how IT drives growth in the life sciences, manufacturing, finance, global commerce and industries yet to be discovered. Interactive break-out sessions with regional executives and industry leaders will address the convergence of IT with other business imperatives. An evening gala and awards program will recognize the efforts of local leaders and help foster the region¹s most significant economic cluster. In an uncertain economy, Gateway to Innovation is the premier, value-driven event that IT innovators cannot afford to miss.

Start-Up Connection
April 29, 2010 - Cortex, St Louis, MO

Start-Up Connection is a one-of-a-kind open house where Start-up CEOs will meet talented people searching for a place to land, job-seekers can scope out new possibilities, people with great ideas will share them, entrepreneurs will learn what it takes to create a "buzz" for their company, and everyone will learn about what is happening in St. Louis and who is making it happen. Anyone who wants to connect with the innovation marketplace in St. Louis, including entrepreneurs, tech professionals, CEOs, CIOs, students, talent in transition, scientists, investors, and policy-makers should attend.

2010 BIO International Convention
May 3-6, 2010 - McCormick Place, Chicago, IL

The Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (iBIO) is putting together The 2010 BIO International Convention is the most important meeting of biotechnology professionals on the planet. The convention provides chances to meet all the major human health, agriculture and bio-industrial corporations, investigate new developments and find small technology companies with exciting pipeline prospects, initiate and explore potential or get updates on on-going transactions through the convention business forum, attend seminars featuring the top experts in every important biotech niche, track and influence public policy developments, and network.

26th Annual Business Growth Conference 2010
May 6, 2010 - Anaheim Marriott Hotel, Anaheim, CA

The Harvard Business School Association of Orange County and the USC Marshall School of Business Alumni Association have put together the 26th Annual Business Growth Conference where attendees will hear the perspectives of two world famous business leaders who have taken their companies from start up to over $1B in sales.  Connect with Tony Hsieh, CEO of e-retailer Zappos and Bob McKnight, CEO & President of Quiksilver, Inc. to learn how they have faced the recent economic challenges and what other challenges they had to encounter along the way.

The Business Growth Conference gives you the opportunity to meet these leaders and over 1,000 of Southern California’s elite business leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs.  Tap into the golden networks of the Harvard Business School Alumni and the USC Marshall School of Business Alumni.  Meet people who make things happen and take advantage of this chance to connect with more high caliber contacts in one day than you could acquire in 20 years.

Larta VOX readers save more than $100 off regular admission (before April 30th).  Go to the registration page click on the “affiliated organization members” tab, and then enter code “LRTGC” to receive your discount.

VC in the OC and OCTANe Innovation Showcase
May 18, 2010 - Hyatt Regency, Irvine, CA

VC in the OC and OCTANe Innovation Showcase is the result of premier venture and technology organizations in Orange County teaming up to produce a one-of-a-kind business event showcasing the best of Orange County innovation from university, to venture-backed startups, to world-class companies. Attendees will get an inside view on cutting edge technologies, hot start-ups, venture investments, and industry leaders.

2010 Israel Conference - "Incredible Technology, Amazing Companies"
June 3, 2010 - The Luxe Hotel, Los Angeles, CA

The Israel Conference will bring together leading technology innovators and investors in high tech, clean tech, medical tech, media and entertainment, and consumer products coming out of Israel - Technologies and products that are market-making and in demand.

2010 Regional Seminar on Program Funding and Grants Administration
June 24-25, 2010 - Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront, Portland, OR

The NIH Regional Seminar is intended to help demystify the application and review process, clarify federal regulations and policies, and highlight current areas of special interest or concern. The seminar serves the NIH mission of providing education and training for the next generation of biomedical and behavioral scientists. NIH policy officials, grant management and program staff, as well as representatives from the Office for Human Research Protections and the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, will interact with seminar participants and provide a broad array of expertise.

Visit our Events Calendar for a list of Larta's partners' events.