Start-ups use ASU Technopolis as path to Invest Southwest

November 13, 2009

For early stage companies in Arizona, the opportunity to present at the Invest Southwest Capital Conference is as prestigious as it is potentially lucrative. <separator></separator>This year’s lucky group of 13 start-ups includes five local firms that utilized the services and programming available through ASU Technopolis to prepare themselves for the very competitive process of snagging a coveted spot at Invest Southwest, which will be held Dec. 9-11. ASU Technopolis is an integral component of SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center. <separator></separator>Securing the opportunity to present at Invest Southwest involves a very competitive process that tests the preparedness of young companies. At stake is the chance to showcase their company in front of hundreds of investors, venture capitalists and industry experts, and potentially earn thousands – maybe even millions – of dollars in funding. Four of the 13 presenters from the 2008 conference have already received funding – and ASU Technopolis is there to help with mentoring, business plan development, entrepreneurship training and much more. <separator></separator>“The amount of expertise and mentoring that I personally received from Technopolis is invaluable,” said Kent Dicks, CEO of MedApps, one of the companies presenting at Invest Southwest. “I am constantly amazed at the dedication and professionalism of Technopolis mentors, and the fact that Technopolis keeps paying off even today, long after I graduated from the program. It was by far the best return on investment for my investors, shareholders and for my personal growth.”<separator></separator> ASU Technopolis offers training, mentoring and networking services for innovation-based early-stage U.S. companies and global companies seeking to enter the U.S. market. Assistance centers on marketing strategy, business plan development and accessing capital.<separator></separator>“We try to bring all of the resources and expertise of the university and the community together to help our companies,” said Terree Wasley, director of innovation and entrepreneurship for ASU and the leader of the ASU Technopolis program. “It’s very gratifying to see these companies grow and secure opportunities like presenting at Invest Southwest.” <separator></separator>Invest Southwest is the premier capital conference for venture capital and angel investors in Arizona and the Southwest. Since 1992, this event has featured the region’s most promising ventures that have collectively raised more than a quarter billion in investment dollars. <separator></separator>“ASU Technopolis has done an outstanding job helping companies develop business plans, grow their business and become better strategically positioned for success,” said Brian Smith, chair of the Invest Southwest selection panel and a partner at Peninsula Ventures, a local venture capital firm. “This has contributed to a number of them being selected for Invest Southwest.” <separator></separator>Time will tell whether these companies hit the jackpot of capital funding, but just having the opportunity is a critical part of the battle – a battle for which ASU Technopolis has helped them prepare. <separator></separator> ASU Technopolis Companies Presenting at Invest Southwest: <separator></separator> Invoy Technologies<separator></separator>Invoy’s patented, hand-held human breath sensors are positioned to diagnose and manage certain diseases (e.g., asthma, obesity, diabetes). Invoy utilized ASU Technopolis’ mentoring program to accelerate its business development. MedApps <separator></separator>A graduate of ASU Technopolis Launch Pad program, MedApps uses mobile wireless technology to connect patients with their healthcare provider to improve quality of care and reduce cost. Synbuild<separator></separator>Synbuild utilized ASU Technopolis mentors and coaches, and is engaged in custom gene synthesis using patent-pending technology. <separator></separator> SIO2<separator></separator>A nanotech research and development company that also used ASU Technopolis mentors and coaches, SIO2 develops and licenses intellectual property to participants in the Intraocular Lens (IOL) and other silicon-based markets.