Companies Identified through Needs Assessment will receive NASA “Counseling”
Brevard County, FL — Technology Docking, a strategic alliance between NASA and the EDC is a regional initiative and part of NASA’s national pilot program for Regional Economic Development (RED). The partnership provides small and medium-sized manufacturers and technology based companies, access to NASA’s resources both at the Kennedy Space Center and across the nation. On Wednesday, at the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast Board Meeting, the following nine companies were announced to participate in the first annual Technology Docking Roadshow.
The companies selected to participate are:
- Direct Beam Incorporated, Melbourne, FL – Developer / manufacturer of custom, high performance antenna solutions for military and high-end commercial applications.
- FreeWavz, Lakeland, FL – Developer of consumer / medical wearable technology for diagnostic use.
- GeNO, LLC, Cocoa, FL – Biopharmaceutical company focused on design, development and commerciality of next-generation products.
- Island Boats, LLC, Vero Beach, FL – Manufacturer developing a new category of boat for recreational use.
- Matrix Composites, Inc, Rockledge, FL – Industry leader in the field of advanced composites for aerospace and aircraft.
- MultiGP, Palm Bay, FL – Developer of high performance first-person viewing technology for the unmanned aerial vehicle industry.
- New Solutions / Piezo Power Tech, Indialantic, FL – Technology company focused on piezoelectric structures and other technologies.
- OTF Design, LLC, Oak Hill, FL – Technology development company bringing an underwater vision system to market.
- Structural Composites, Melbourne, FL – Developers of composite systems with new physical properties for non-traditional applications.
The Technology Docking Roadshow builds upon a format NASA utilizes to deploy technology, resources and expertise to companies in the Midwest. The Space Coast version is tailored to meet the needs of our regional industry. Each of the companies chosen will be paired with a NASA subject matter expert(s) to assist in solving a company defined technology challenge.
“As an EDC who supports local businesses, adding the Roadshow component to Technology Docking was a primary goal of the program. Not only will these companies receive invaluable services from NASA, but they will become recognized as the next generation of forward thinkers in our region,” stated Lynda Weatherman, president and chief executive officer for the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast.
“This program is a clear technology enabler for our region and the EDC Innovation Council is pleased to support this effort. We look forward to bringing additional opportunities for engagement with NASA in the coming year,” stated Dr. Abram Walton, EDC Innovation Council Chair and Associate Professor – College of Business at the Florida Institute of Technology at the EDC Board meeting.
The Technology Docking Roadshow event is being held September 23, 2015 at the Hilton Rialto in Melbourne. A morning session will be open to the public and feature technology focused presentations. Event details and registration information is available at www.SpaceCoastEDC.org.
Since February 2015, Technology Docking began engaging regional technology and manufacturing companies in an effort to build an inventory of the capabilities of the Space Coast region and identify challenges which could be overcome through NASA technology, expertise, capabilities and assets. To date, Technology Docking has engaged 45 companies through direct interface with NASA representatives to discuss specific technology challenges and opportunities for assistance.
Companies looking to receive input from NASA can learn more by visiting the Technology Docking website at www.spacecoastedc.org/TechDocking
Source:
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida’s Space Coast. Visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org.