Board Will Evaluate Companies Seeking Financial Assistance
The I2 Capital Acceleration Program has added 10 members to its
Qualification Review Board. I2 (which stands for "Igniting
Innovation) is the latest technology-based economic development
initiative led by Space Florida and the Technological Research and
Development Authority (TRDA) to help stimulate higher levels of
investment in Florida's key technology cluster companies. The I2
Review Board members will serve until the program's completion
later this year.
The new I2 Qualification Review Board members are: Greg Baty,
Vice President, Hamilton Lane; John Cambier, General Partner, Idea
Fund Partners; Bob Fleming, Managing Partner, Inlet Venture
Partners; Stephen Fleming, Vice Provost, Georgia Tech Enterprise
Innovation Institute and founder of Space Angels; Karen Kerr,
Director of Business Development, Targeted Acquisitions,
Intellectual Ventures; F. Scott Moody, Entrepreneur and Co-Founder,
Authentec; Richard P. McNeight, President, Federal Systems; Randall
Poliner, Managing General Partner, Antares Capital; Jason
Rottenberg, Managing Partner, Arsenal Venture Partners; Dan Rua,
Managing Partner, Inflexion Venture Partners; Paul Suchoski,
Entrepreneur, Angel and Former Vice President/General Manager of
JDS Uniphase; and Jane Teague, Executive Director, Florida
Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research.
"Having an extremely qualified Review Board in place will ensure
this program selects and fosters growth in the most promising
companies," said Space Florida President Frank DiBello. "We look
forward to supporting these businesses as they work to help
Florida's economy thrive in the months and years ahead."
TRDA executive director, Chester J. Straub Jr. said, "We're very
pleased to have these new Qualification Review Board members, who
represent a wide range of business sectors and professional
investment expertise. They'll serve the I2 program well in the
months ahead as they evaluate the companies seeking to receive
valuable program assistance."
The new Board is tasked with assessing the readiness of
applicant businesses for potential State and private
investment. Once approved by Space Florida, the companies
recommended by the Qualification Review Board will receive
intensive mentoring and commercialization services, and present
their business plans at the I2 Capital Acceleration Program
Showcase on September 7, 2011 at the Radisson in Port Canaveral,
Florida. The Qualification Review Board will be supported in the
company review and selection process by serial entrepreneurs
Kirstie Chadwick and Doug Hilmes of Growth Innovators. Companies
selected to present and exhibit will have products or services
related to Florida's aviation, aerospace, defense, homeland
security, clean tech, alternative energy, biotech, life science,
information technology and telecommunications industries.