Tech Council News Briefs

Arkansas Tech Council in Formative Stages

The nucleus of a new regional technology council is taking structure in Central Arkansas. The Arkansas Capital Corp. has launched Techpreneur, a new forum for the area's biotech and information technology entrepreneurs to be modeled after Washington, D.C.-based Netpreneur. The fledgling group initially will allow people to share ideas and network, but additional activities such as mentoring and educational services may be added in the future.

Colorado Biotech Groups Merge

The boards of the Colorado Biotechnology Association and the Colorado Medical Device Association have unanimously voted to merge into a single stronger entity to be known as the Colorado BioScience Association. Combined, the two groups have more than 200 business members employing 17,000 people in the state. The new group will be based in the Colorado Bioscience Park Aurora and will be led by Denise Brown, former executive director of the Colorado Biotechnology Association.

Indiana Launches $72M Biotech Fund of Funds

Upgrading its marketing and branding efforts, the Central Indiana Life Sciences Initiative has rolled out a new identity for the organization: BioCrossroads. Following closely on the heels of the change was the announcement that the group has organized Indiana Future Fund I, a $72 million capital pool that will invest in regional and national venture capital funds, encouraging direct investment in Indiana life sciences opportunities. Managed by Credit Suisse First Boston, Indiana Future Fund I includes investments by Indiana’s public pension funds, Eli Lilly and Company, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Indiana University, Indiana University Foundation, Purdue University, Ball State University Foundation, American United Life Insurance Company, Indiana State University Foundation and Guidant Corporation. More information on the fund is available at: http://www.indianafuturefund.com/

New York's Hudson Valley Gains New Tech Council

To strengthen the region's tech-based economic development efforts, the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation and the Ulster County Development Corporation, in partnership with local academic institutions and technology businesses, announced the creation of the Mid Hudson Technology Council in mid-October. The new group will work toward supporting the growth of existing technology businesses, attracting new businesses, fostering technology start-ups, and encouraging partnerships that enhance the technological capability of the Mid Hudson region. In addition to the founders' steering committee, three volunteer committees are charting the design and early implemention of activities in education; partnerships, alliances and interfaces; and technology start ups.

Research Triangle Regional Partnership Identifies New Target Clusters

Business, academic and economic development leaders from the Research Triangle Region have agreed on eight technologies and a set of strategies to create jobs in both rural and urban areas for decades to come. The Research Triangle Regional Partnership, centering on economic development in a 13-county region, reports its efforts will focus on pharmaceuticals or "therapeutics," biological agents and infectious diseases, advanced medical care, analytical instruments, pervasive computing, nanoscale technologies, informatics, and agricultural biotechnology. The region also will continue its focus on building food processing, automotive components parts and logistics and distribution industries, which remain promising sectors for rural areas because of their interstate highways, available land and skilled labor.