Join us! TechPort UAS Incubator and Community Innovation Hub
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From the Director's Desk:
In this month’s newsletter, we feature an update on the great 2020 achievement of TechPort UAS Business Incubator and Community Innovation Hub –the development of a heat-sanitization box to provide health care workers with clean personal protective equipment (PPE) and drastically reduce the waste of single-use gear. The hot boxes are currently being produced and sold with the goal of spreading this simple but outstanding medical advancement to other states and countries.
We got an assist with the promotion of our Hot Box this month by being the cover story of the trade magazine Fuel Oil News, with a print and digital circulation of more than 13,000 and an estimated readership of more than 50,000. Locally, Bay Weekly also featured the accomplishments of the Hot Box and the nonprofit Southern Maryland Loves You (SoMDLY) that spun out of TechPort. Bay Weekly estimates it reaches some 60,000 readers with a circulation of 25,000 from Severna Park and Annapolis to Southern Anne Arundel County and Calvert County. Word is spreading about the great work being done here at TechPort.
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On February 11, Rick Tarr, Director of NAWCAD Tech Transfer Office and Southern Maryland Tech Bridge had a Conversation with an Innovator. Joining the discussion was special guest Lainie Rodriguez, Associate Director for Strategy at NAWCAD.
The February event discussed several interesting topics, such as discussing the Air Systems Group at NAWCAD, strategic planning, and innovation.
Thanks to the TechPort and NAWCAD Public Affairs (PAO) teams for supporting this T2 event, as we continue to learn and improve the program with each iteration on a new and innovative platform.
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T2 is a new program sponsored by TechPort and NAWCAD Tech Bridge of Southern Maryland to raise awareness of the Tech Bridge mission and increase access for small business innovators to the Southern Maryland Tech Bridge and Tech Transfer teams. |
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Reach Back & Lift I Inc.
TechPort's Featured Client of the Month
February 2021
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The newest TechPort UAS Business Incubator and Community Innovation Hub client is not an entrepreneur and doesn’t have an idea to design, produce and sell –yet. Rather, the decision between TechPort and Reach Back and Lift 1 (RB&L1) to join forces is all about potential.
RB&L1,(pronounced Rebel One) is a St. Mary’s County nonprofit organization devoted to assisting youth and young adults with professional, personal and leadership skills with the goal of helping them achieve self-sufficiency and the ability to earn a living wage. By collaborating with TechPort, RB&L1 hopes to develop future entrepreneurs and provide this underserved population of St. Mary’s County the access, encouragement and drive to strive for the currently unimaginable.
"We decided to align with TechPort to connect with resources and new technology, not older technology,” says William B.J. Hall, president of St. Mary’s County NAACP and founder of RB&L1.
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Southern Maryland Loves You Commercialization |
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When TechPort UAS Business Incubator and Community Innovation Hub entrepreneurs responded to an urgent need for more personal protective equipment last March, they did what they do best–researched, designed, gathered resources and produced. But far beyond that, they were forward thinking. Realizing materials would run out to produce PPE and the waste in using single-use protective devices, they pooled their innovation skills and conceived the Semi-Automated Heat Bioburden Reduction Moduleor as it’s known around TechPort, the “Hot-Box. ”
Today, after a nonprofit, Southern Maryland Loves You (SoMDLY), was spun out of the TechPort UAS Business Incubator, and the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals have been granted, mass production has begun and the Hot Box is making its way to communities across the region, where it can help frontline health care workers and their organizations. All of this, in less than 12 months.
This is the story of a business incubator’s success.
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TechPort's new bi-weekly program, Coffee and Crabs, launched on Monday, Feb. 8th. and it was great! Hosted by Brian Jordan and Tommy Luginbill, the program went smoothly and had great banter between the two.
This bi-weekly program features a live call-in guest to discuss either the national, regional, or local topic of the day. Brian Jordan, as an engineer, vetrepreneur, and co-founder of an innovative startup will partner with Tommy Luginbill, a founder, investor, and Director of TechPort UAS Business Incubator and Community Innovation Hub to discuss and discover these exciting topics on a weekly basis.
Both hosts felt the first program went well and had positive things to say.
"I am excited about learning and sharing new things with the community," said Jordan.
"The program is a relaxed presentation with easy conversation and great coffee," stated Luginbill.
The next episode of this bi-weekly program will take place on Monday, Feb. 22, 2-3 PM.
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On Friday, February 12, TechPort along with SBDC, TEDCO, and SoMD Innovates hosted a Minority Inventors & Innovators Roundtable.
This event consisted of panel discussions and presentations highlighting minority inventors and innovators in history, minority representation in STEM, and much more.
This event helped "raise awareness of discoveries, the impact they had, and why we need to pay attention today," as stated during the program.
Brian Jordan, TechPort Client and Jordan Research and Development President and Co-Founder, was representing TechPort and acting as annual moderator for this event.
Keep an eye out for the next program in this series, you do not want to miss it!
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What was/is your favorite event during the month of February?
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Bi-Weekly Live Broadcast Crabs and Coffee
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Minority Inventors & Innovators Roundtable
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Sip and Paint Night Networking Night
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#TechPort
#SouthernMaryland
#SMYP
Want to stay up to date with TechPort?
Check out our social medias!
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Join SMYP and TechPort for a Networking Night! |
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TechPort UAS Business Incubator and Community Innovation Hub and St. Mary's Young Professionals are inviting the community to join them for a Sip & Paint Night on February 23, 5 - 7 p.m.!
The Bob Ross Themed Sip & Paint Night will be filled with relaxed painting, good drinks, and fun chatter! This event will be hosted on zoom so you can partake in the fun from the comfort of your own home!
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The Maryland Business Innovation Challenge, powered by the Maryland Business Innovation Association, is kicking off, and the three challengers—IBM, Healthworx, and SC&H—are looking to the state's innovative companies and individuals to help them solve pressing challenges. Upcoming webinars will highlight the specific challenge each company is presenting to the Maryland innovation community. |
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IBM's Corporate Challenge
Join John Joaquin, Client Leader at IBM, and Julie Lenzer, Chief Innovation Officer at University of Maryland, on February 23, 1 - p.m., as they discuss IBM's commitment to building a market-leading Quantum Computing Industry in the state of Maryland, and learn how you or your company can get involved in the initiative. Learn how IBM is positioning resources to capitalize on the state's early position in Quantum Computing, and to build this region into the Silicon Valley of the Second Quantum Revolution.
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Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Topics Pre-Released |
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The DoD issued its 21.1 SBIR Broad Area Announcement (BAA) pre-release on December 8, 2020, which opens to receive proposals on January 14, 2021, and closes TODAY (February 18, 2021).
The BAA is inclusive of 100 standard Navy SBIR topics, and 2 Direct to Phase II topics from 7 of the Navy's SYSCOMs. Topics include cloud-based air traffic control training systems, aircrew body armor, and lightweight thermal protection to name just a few.
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Help the St. Mary's Caring Soup Kitchen!
Currently, the St. Mary's Caring Soup Kitchen is in need of cereal, string cheese, chunky soups, crackers, and other products.
TechPort will be accepting food donations through the end of February and we will keep the community updated on high priority items.
Huge thanks to everyone who has donated since December!
TechPort is currently serving as a donation drop-off point for any individuals or businesses in or around the St. Mary's County Regional Airport Innovation District to benefit the St. Mary's Caring Soup Kitchen!
The mission of St. Mary's Caring Soup Kitchen is to provide free meals to anyone in need, no questions asked, serving all with a spirit of compassion, dignity, and respect.
Please reach out to us on Facebook or email us at info@techportsomd.org for more information on how to support this effort!
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Interactive Innovation
Progress Culture Tuesdays
The Spirit of Innovation & Freedom - and - SoMD Loves You
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This Week's Episode: Episode 43 - Interactive Listening
w/ Brian Jordan (Jordan R&D), Amanda Cipriani (Designer and Head of Programs Serving Youth Trauma), and Paul F. Murphy & Dominic Fragman (SIF)
What do the processes of understanding trauma and playing music have in common? Can experiences of trauma be better understood through experiences of playing music? Is reality as subjective as art is said to be? How can we tune in to discover those realities??
Last Week's Episode: Episode 42 - Creativity Undefined
w/ Tabitha Dunn (SoMDLovesYou), Tommy Luginbill (TechPort), and Paul F. Murphy & Dominic Fragman (SIF)
Do you find there is a difference between generating and creating? Is creativity exclusive in some way or encompassing of all? Is it totally impossible to have original creativity because all things already occur in nature???
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HUB HAPPENINGS
February 19, 2-3 PM - SBIR/STTR Seed funding - What is it? Does it make sense for a Tech Startup looking for funding?
Learn more about America's Seed Fund and if it's the right fit for your tech startup! Did you know 11 federal agencies participate in the program? Join the discussion!
February 22, 3 - 4 p.m. - Crabs and Coffee Weekly Virtual Series
A new live interactive broadcast hosted by Brian Jordan, Jordan Research and Development President and Co-Founder, and Tommy Luginbill, Director of TechPort UAS Business Incubator. Together, these two discuss and discover exciting innovation topics on a bi-weekly basis while drinking some delicious coffee in Southern Maryland.
February 23, 5 - 7 p.m. - Paint Night with TechPort and SMYP
Join TechPort and St. Mary's Young Professionals for an evening of painting with Bob Ross virtual BYOB style.
February 26, 11AM - 1PM - TechPort LunchBox Series: Getting Your Financial House in Order: Tech Start-Up Financials
Join TechPort for their monthly business skills series - learn about tax credits, how COVID-19 impacts your financial statements for EOY reporting; and the good, the bad, and the ugly about Tech Startup financials and reporting requirements just in time for tax season.
March 11, 1 - 1:30 p.m. - TechBridge @ TechPort - Sixth Installment
A virtual live-broadcast program featuring the Director of TechBridge of Southern Maryland, Rick Tarr. Join the discussion!
March 30, 5 - 7 p.m. - Battle of the Bands with TechPort and SMYP
TechPort and SMYP are hosting a virtual Battle of the Bands Event! Tune in to hear a variety of amazing music by local artists.
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March 5 - Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women in Innovation
TechPort Hosts Fireside Chat with Women Leaders In Tech Innovation
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UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS
February 18 - SBIR Broad Area Announcement Opening for Proposals Closes
February 19, 12 - 1 p.m. - TEDCO's Rural Business Innovation Initiative Open Forum
Join TEDCO for an open forum to learn more about TEDCO's Rural Business Innovation Initiative (RBII) and meet our mentors.
February 22, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. (CST) - Women & Business: Building Your Brand
Are you a women entrepreneur in business or looking to start a business? Do you want to know how to build a brand or having a difficult time trying to build your brand? If so, join us!
February 23, 9 - 11 a.m. - Veteran's Business Bootcamp
The Veteran's Business Bootcamp is designed for veterans and spouses as it provides an introduction to starting and succeeding as an entrepreneur.
March 8- International Women's Day
International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the historical, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also is a day of action in support of taking action against gender inequality around the world.
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TechPort's mission is to serve as a center of innovation for the community. Incubating ideas and accelerating diversification of the innovation ecosystem of Southern Maryland. Operated under contract by the University of Maryland,TechPort targets startup and early stage companies that specialize in autonomous systems and commercialization of Navy technology while serving as a community resource for innovators of all kinds.
Sign up here for a private virtual tour of our Incubator space available to new clients.
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What does the TechPort Innovation Hub mean to you?
Or on our social medias!
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TechPort is now seeking for sponsorships for 2021 Programming
If interested, please contact TechPort Director Tommy Luginbill here!
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TechPort is a public-private sector initiative supported by: |
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