Larta CEO Rohit Shukla Discusses Global Connectivity and Innovation at Al-Madinah Knowledge Cities Conference  

At the 2011 Al-Madinah Knowledge Cities Conference in early March, Larta CEO Rohit Shukla presented on the importance of “connecting globally in order to develop locally.” Mr. Shukla’s presentation focused on network creation’s impact on fueling innovation and entrepreneurship and discussed Larta’s “open innovation” model. Mr. Shukla also recommended strategies to policymakers for creating and sustaining networks and relationships that cultivate internationally-competitive entrepreneurs. The Knowledge Cities Conference March 1-2, 2011 in the city of Al-Madinah Al-Mounawwarah, Saudi Arabia was presented by the World Bank, and hosted innovation thought leaders and experts to stimulate discussion around planning and growing a knowledge-based city. To learn more about the Knowledge Cities Conference, visit http://www.kccmadinah.com/en/.

Larta Kicks Off New Cycle of NSF-CAP1 Program in Crystal City, VA

The Larta team is looking forward to the NSF Phase I SBIR/STTR Grantees Workshop on March 15-17, 2011. NSF-CAP1 Program Manager Lizet Tirres and Program Associate Mike Rudis will attend the workshop in Crystal City, VA, and they are excited to meet the Larta NSF-CAP1 participants at the event. NSF SBIR Phase I grantees will receive an orientation on the Phase I program requirements and expectations. The workshop program will include a variety of presentations and discussions led by NSF Program Directors and staff, as well as a mandatory one-on-one meeting with their NSF Program Director. Grantees will also learn about the Phase IB matching supplement and have the opportunity to meet with a Larta representative. For more information on Larta's NSF-CAP1 program, please refer to: https://portal.larta.org/nsf.

Larta's Shukla Leads Group on Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship in Malaysia

In February at the Leadership Circle Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Larta CEO Rohit Shukla co-facilitated a discussion group on "Empowerment, wealth creation and long lasting impact through technology entrepreneurship" at the second meeting of a series of international forums part of the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST). In partnership with the U.S. Department of State, CRDF Global has launched the GIST initative to advance innovative scientific, academic and technological collaboration between the U.S. and nations in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region and Muslim Asia. Issues addressed during Mr. Shukla's discussion include identifying the barriers for successful technology entrepreneurship, how GIST can capitalize on already existing entrepreneurship initiatives and what are the mechanisms to improve skill set for budding entrepreneurs. For more information on GIST, please go to: http://gistinitiative.org/.

USDA-CATP Commercialization Training Workshop a Success

Last week the USDA-CATP Commercialization Training Workshop (CTW) was held at the National Agricultural Library in Beltsville, MD. Representatives from Monsanto Company, BASF Corporation, Dow AgroSciences, Nestle Purina, CMEA Ventures, T2 Venture Capital, and Reality2 provided participants with valuable information on topics including funding, strategic partnerships, and early stage marketing. In addition, the thirty seven USDA SBIR Phase II awardees held individual meetings with their Larta Principal Advisor to begin devising their commercialization strategies and goals. The Workshop offered interactive sessions in which participants had the opportunity to present their company and strengthen their approach to potential investors, partners, and clients.

Participating companies found tremendous value in the event’s high quality content and look forward to starting the personalized mentoring sessions and web-based seminars conducted by Larta Institute throughout this year.

Register for the 2011 Ag Innovation Showcase

Don't forget to register for the 2011 Ag Innovation Showcase! The Ag Showcase is May 23-24, 2011 at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, MO. The Ag Showcase is a distinguished, world-class gathering of key players in the agriculture sector including industry members, innovators, investors, and ag leaders.

The event is open to the public. 20% discount available. Use coupon code 20AG11 for registration.

Our pick of Larta-alumni companies that are making the news and already on their way to making it big!

Seven Larta CAP Participants Recognized as 2011 Tibbetts Awardees

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) presented forty-four small businesses in February with the Tibbetts award, an honor recognizing the technical innovation, business impact, and broader social and economic benefit a company has achieved throughout the year. SBA supports innovative entrepreneurs through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which accounts for approximately $2.5 billion in federal research and development funds.

Of the 2011 Tibbetts Awardees, seven companies have participated in the Larta-managed National Institutes of Health Commercialization Assistance Program (NIH-CAP), National Science Foundation Commercialization Assistance Program (NSF-CAP1), and the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center Commercialization Assistance Program (TATRC-CAP): mentoring and partnering-oriented efforts geared to accelerate the commercial and market readiness of SBIR companies. 3-C ISD of Cary, NC, RE2, Inc. of Pittsburgh, PA, Vecna Technologies, Inc. of Cambridge, MA, and Viocare, Inc. of Princeton, NJ, Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. of Lancaster, PA, M4 Sciences of West Lafayette, IN, and Precision Photonics Corp. of Boulder, CO were all recognized as Tibbetts Awardees.

Monsanto Acquires Larta-Alumni Company Divergence, Inc.

Last month leading ag-biotech company Monsanto purchased former Larta NSF-CAP1, USDA-CAP, and Ag Innovation Showcase company participant Divergence, Inc. Divergence currently focuses on developing technologies to fight against parasitic nematodes, a pest that costs farmers billions of dollars each year. The company has worked closely with Monsanto since 2004, and is now officially a part of the Monsanto Chemical Group. Divergence will continue to operate out of the BRDG Park of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Larta's partner for the Ag Innovation Showcase...Read more...

Former Larta NSF-CAP1 Company Cambrian Innovations Testifies on Behalf of SBIR Program

On February 17, 2011, Dr. Matt Silver of Larta-alumni company Cambrian Innovations LLC, formerly IntAct Labs, testified in front of Congress on behalf of the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act. In his testimony he touched on many reasons why the SBIR program has been so beneficial to them and why Cambrian so strongly supports the reauthorization of the SBIR funding. Cambrian was a participant in Larta’s 2010 NSF-CAP1, and has been greatly successful. By using their story as an example for how necessary and successful SBIR/STTR funding can be, Mr. Silver makes a strong and compelling case for the support of the pending legislation and ways that the government can improve funding methods for early stage innovations. To view the full testimony, please see the Senate Small Business Committee’s video recording of the hearing.

Larta NIH-CAP Participant Showcases SBIR Funded Product on the Rachael Ray Show

The Rachael Ray Show featured MMJ Labs last month to showcase three of their pediatric products, one of which was an SBIR funded-technology called the Buzzy. MMJ Labs participated in the 2009-10 National Institutes of Health CAP, and worked closely with Larta in the development of a commercialization strategy for the Buzzy, a product that helps reduce the amount of pain felt by children when receiving shots. The Buzzy distracts the pain sensors by placing a vibration on the arm just above the place of the shot. In addition to showing the Buzzy, MMJ Labs also showcased the Pain-Free Bandage Remover, an organic liquid compound that breaks down the adhesive of bandages and the Medicator, a pacifier-shaped medication dispenser used to get children to take their medication. To read more about MMJ Labs and the Buzzy, visit http://www.buzzy4shots.com/

Natural Products Expo West 2011
March 10-13, 2011 - Anaheim, CA

2011 National SBIR/STTR Spring Conference
April 10-13, 2011 - Madison, WI

DEADLINE for Early Bird pricing is MARCH 10! To register visit: www.wisconsinsbir.org.

The GW Solar Institute Symposium 2011
April 26, 2011 - Washington, DC

Business Growth Conference 2011
May 9, 2011 - Washington, DC

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