Three Local Technology Start-ups Receive Commercialization Grants

The 2009 Technology Commercialization Grants, presented by the Leon County Research and Development Authority, have been awarded. Now in their fifth year, the grants are competitively awarded and provide funding for startup businesses and entrepreneurs. The three grant winners each received $15,000 to help support the commercialization of their technology-based research and development projects.

Among the recipients is a TalTech member organization, Elections by the People Foundation, Inc., which is a nonprofit working on an advanced voting system that combines the most desirable features of a computer-based, touch-screen voting apparatus with the reliability of a 100-percent voter-verified paper ballot.

"This grant is going to help us to further develop our voting-system technology by acquiring development equipment, getting intellectual-property protection for our software, and allowing us to start the process of vetting the system with its potential users," said Richard Benham, Executive Director.

Baycom Diagnostics Inc. and Florida Custom Synthesis, Inc. also received the grant. Florida Custom Synthesis, Inc. conducts the synthesis and distribution of organic compounds needed for pharmaceutical research and other development work. Baycom Diagnostics Inc. has developed a cost-effective diagnostic kit for monitoring and testing of diabetes in small animals.

More information on the Leon County Research and Development Authority can be found at http://www.innovation-park.com

More on Elections by the People Foundation, Inc. can be found at http://www.electionsbythepeople.org