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Startups developing technologies ranging from stroke rehabilitation devices to handheld endoscopic imaging systems were honored at the ninth annual Maryland Incubator of the Year Awards program Tuesday in Baltimore.
The awards are sponsored by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, the Maryland Technology Development Corp., RSM McGladrey and Saul Ewing LLP. Winners are chosen by a panel comprising venture capitalists and government and business leaders.
Criteria include technology or product development; proprietary intellectual property; increase in employee numbers; growth in revenue or earnings; engagement of significant customers and strategic partners; receipt of awards or grants; attraction of outside investors; innovation; self-sufficiency; impact on the region; and use of the incubator's services.
"The winners and participants of the 2009 Maryland Incubator Company of the Year Awards are to be commended for their forward-thinking leadership, as well as the significant role they play in strengthening Maryland's economy," said DBED Secretary Christian S. Johansson in a statement. "Fostering a supportive environment for these cutting edge companies is a critical part of our strategy to advance Maryland as a national leader in technology and innovation."
This year's winners and their respective incubators:
-Life Science Company of the Year: Envisionier Medical Technologies, Rockville Innovation Center, developed and markets the endogo, a palm-held endoscopic imaging system.
-Information Technology Company of the Year: Oculis Labs, NeoTech in Columbia, creates software to protect data privacy designed to be more effective, more efficient and less expensive than current systems.
-Technology Service Company of the Year: Lurn Inc., Technology Advancement Program, University of Maryland, College Park, provides online training courses and live events on a variety of online marketing topics, online communities and publications for internet marketers and e-learning technology platforms for educators of business and marketing professionals.
-New Incubator Company of the Year: Gliknik Inc., UMB BioPark BioInnovation Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, develops immune modulators to boost the body's immune response to tumor antigens.
-Technology Transfer Company of the Year: Encore Path, Emerging Technology Center, Baltimore, develops stroke rehabilitation technologies and recently introduced the Tailwind arm rehabilitation device for stroke survivors.
-Homeland Security Company of the Year: WGS Systems, Frederick Innovative Technology Center, provides defense and homeland security services.
-Graduate Company of the Year: A&G Pharmaceutical of Columbia, graduate of the Emerging Technology Center, Baltimore, creates and develops monoclonal antibodies to cancer-specific targets as a basis for novel therapeutic and diagnostic products.
-Also, for the first time, an individual, rather than a company was inducted into the Robert A. Spar Hall of Fame: Ann Lansinger, president of the Emerging Technology Centers at Canton, Johns Hopkins Eastern and Baltimore Development Corp. Lansinger is a "pioneer in developing programs for technology commercialization and venture creation, and she has been a champion of business incubation in Maryland for over 20 years," according to a statement from Tedco.
Lansinger was founding president of the Maryland Business Incubator Association and a board member of the National Business Incubation Association.