Publisher's note: A towering figure of a man, a management strategist almost incomparable in his modern-day influence, a kind and gracious man – who has on more than one occasion been particularly generous to me with his time and attention -  C.K. Prahalad died Friday, 4/16/2010, in San Diego, after a week-long unspecified bronchial ailment. He coined the phrase “Bottom of the Pyramid” and was an inspiration to legions of companies, managers and thinkers.  He is survived by his wife, Gayatri, and two children, Murali and Deepa. Murali was a very strong supporter of Larta Institute, especially in the early days of the NIH-CAP program.

C. K. Prahalad, Proponent of Poor as Consumers, Dies at 68
Vikas Bajaj, The New York Times

C. K. Prahalad, a management professor and author who popularized the idea that companies could make money while helping to alleviate poverty, died Friday in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego. He was 68 and lived in San Diego.

The cause was an undiagnosed lung illness, his family said.

Mr. Prahalad wrote “The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty Through Profits,” about how companies could tap the poor as customers and, as a result, improve the lives of millions of impoverished people in developing countries... Read more...

For A123, Government Funding Brings Both Job Creation and Innovation, CEO Says
Erin Kutz, Xconomy

A123Systems president and CEO David Vieau says some investors have questioned whether the company’s aggressive pursuit of federal funding for lithium-ion battery production is a sign that the company doesn’t have a sustainble business without government support... Read more...

Injection of Melanin Nanoparticles Could Make Human BodyRadiation-Resistant
Denise Ngo, Popular Science

One of the major downsides of radiation therapy, which is commonly used to shrink cancerous tumors, is its harmful effect on normal cells. Now, thanks to research done by scientists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, doctors may someday use melanin-covered nanoparticles to administer higher doses of radiation to cancerous cells without compromising the healthy ones... Read more...

Graphene Outperforms Carbon Nanotubes for Creating Stronger, More Crack-Resistant Materials
Michael Mullaney, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Three new studies from researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute illustrate why graphene should be the nanomaterial of choice to strengthen composite materials used in everything from wind turbines to aircraft wings.

Composites infused with graphene are stronger, stiffer, and less prone to failure than composites infused with carbon nanotubes or other nanoparticles, according to the studies... 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 electrical components, medical devices, and advanced materials.  Our programs deal with the three key and fundamental areas of human concern, food, fuel and healing.

2010 Ag Innovation Showcase: Presenter Companies
May 24-25, 2010 - Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO

Space is limited, Register Now!

The Ag Showcase is the leading annual global event for industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors in agribusiness. This year’s program will feature a wide array of innovative approaches to advancing productivity and sustainability in agriculture. After a competitive application process, our Advisory Committee chose 17 entrepreneurial companies  from 7 countries around the world to present and exhibit their technologies in St. Louis. A full list of companies and descriptions is available at agshowcase.com.

Additionally, Dr. Jerry Caulder, often referred as the "father of agricultural biotechnology" and Executive Chairman of the leading VC firm, Finistere Ventures, will be one of the many speakers providing a view from the top of the industry.

The 2010 Ag Innovation Showcase is jointly presented by BRDG Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center, Nidus, and Larta Institute.

2010 TIP Competition Focuses on Manufacturing Technologies
April 15, 2010

The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) today announced a new competition for high-risk, high-reward research funding under the Technology Innovation Program (TIP). The new TIP competition offers cost-shared funding for innovative research on “Manufacturing and Biomanufacturing: Materials Advances and Critical Processes."

Approximately $25 million is available for first-year funding for an expected 25 new TIP projects. The goal of the effort is to inspire revolutionary materials advances leading to new products with advanced features and improved characteristics... Read More...

DOE Funding Opportunity: Photovoltaic (PV) Manufacturing Initiative

Funding: Up to $125 million over 5 years
Open Date: 04/21/2010
Close Date: 06/03/2010
Funding Organization: Solar Energy Technologies Program
Funding Number: DE-FOA-0000237

The goals of the PV Manufacturing Initiative are to support the creation of a robust U.S. PV manufacturing base and supply chain, develop a highly trained workforce with the required technical skills, and speed the implementation of new cutting-edge technologies. The initiative intends to accelerate the coordination of stakeholders and fund technology development across the U.S. PV industry... Read more...

Bill Gates Backs Shrödinger

Schrödinger, a New York and Portland, OR-based maker of chemical-simulation software for drug development and research, has received a $10 million equity investment from Bill Gates through Cascade Investment, Gates’s private investment and holding company... Read more...

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.

Brazil: Creating Opportunities Through Innovation (A Luncheon Briefing)
May 10, 2010 - Laguna Beach, CA

Brazil is rising in prominence as a center for global scientific innovation. Thanks to a steady government commitment to private sector innovation, Brazil now leads advancements in the areas of telecommunications, social media, technology outsourcing, aerospace and aviation, biotechnology, and software design.

You are invited to join our hosts and an audience of business leaders, investors, academics and experts to discuss these advancements and opportunities in this high-potential market for international businesses and investors at a luncheon on May 10 from 12:00-3:00pm.

This event will feature Minister Sergio Rezende of the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology and The Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDES). For more information about speakers, please view the listing in the Larta Institute Events page here.

Note: This event is invitation-only and space is limited. RSVP: brazilinnovation@fleishman.com or 212-453-2379

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.

The event will feature keynote highlights from OC's top business leaders, VC "Speed-dating", investment presentations from some of the country's most promising early and late stage start-ups, panels focusing on digital advertising, video games, high-speed data communications, and stem-cells with the latest industry and sector trends, Southern California Clean Tech industry updates, Innovation Showcase, and much more.

C21 BioVentures
May 25-27, 2010 - The Meritage Resort, Napa, CA

C21 BioVentures™(C21) is the leading conference where early stage innovators, investors and pharma partners come together to do the deals that make 2010 the year of global partnering.

C21 features private company presentations, pre-scheduled face-to-face partnering meetings, expert panels, workshops and three days of networking opportunities at an intimate world-class resort and spa. Register for C21 and connect your company with The Global Life Science Network™.

For more information and to register, visit: http://www.techvision.com/c21/.

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.