HTDC Awards $123,845 to Local Companies

HONOLULU , HI -- High Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) has awarded six grants totalling $123,845 to five local technology and research and development companies as part of its Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Matching Grant Program.

The Hawaii SBIR Matching Grant program was created in 1989 by Hawaii legislators to increase research and development activities in Hawaii by encouraging Hawaii companies to participate in the federal SBIR program. To date, 55 Hawaii companies have received over $54 million from the federal SBIR program, $3.6 million from HTDC's state matching grants, and have generated $60 million for Phase III commercialization.

SBIR is a three-phased program that provides small businesses the opportunity to win federal research and development awards. By law, the eleven largest federal agencies must provide a small percentage of their budget for SBIR grants and contracts, currently totaling about $2 billion annually. Hawaii-based companies that receive Phase I feasibility study SBIR awards can apply for funds from HTDC’s Hawaii SBIR Matching Grant program. The matching grants provide up to $25,000 to assist companies with enhancing their Phase I project development; compete for the more lucrative Phase II awards to typically conduct prototype development; and ultimately reach successful commercialization. There is no limit to the number of times a company can receive an SBIR award.

“For fiscal year 2005, local companies have received over $1.8 million from the federal SBIR program, plus an additional $260,000 through HTDC’s matching grant program,” said Dr. Philip Bossert, executive director and CEO of HTDC. “The SBIR program has become a crucial source of funding for Hawaii’s start-ups, many of whom may not have been able to secure the dollars needed to support their research and development.”

HTDC’s latest Hawaii SBIR Matching Grant recipients include:

* Archinoetics, LLC: This Honolulu-based company is a spin off from one of Hawaii’s most noted tech companies called Nova-Sol. Archinoetics specializes in technology development that assesses the physiological state, measures performance, or augments the capabilities of human beings. This first-time SBIR recipient was awarded two SBIR grants. The company received a $99,979 Phase I SBIR award from the Department of Defense to develop a rapid, field-deployable, near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device to spatially identify areas of blast-related pulmonary dysfunction, the presence of foreign bodies in the lung field, and provide breathing and cardiac frequency information. HTDC awarded Archinoetics a matching grant of $21,282.

Archinoetics’ second Phase I SBIR award was for $99,995 from the Department of Defense to develop a sensor suite to detect and eliminate gravity-induced loss of consciousness (GLOC) among DOD’s aircrew. HTDC awarded a second matching grant for this project, totalling $20,000.

* Kuehnle AgroSystems: This Manoa Innovation Center-based research and development company received an $80,000 Phase I SBIR award from the Department of Agriculture to demonstrate the feasibility of chloroplast genetic engineering in an industrial alga called Dunaliella, and the use of this alga to increase production of high-value dietary supplements, oils and vaccines. Kuehnle received a matching grant of $21,281 from HTDC.

* Oceanit: This multiple SBIR awardee received a $100,000 SBIR Phase I award from the Department of Defense to develop real-time vertical wind profiles to aid in precision air delivery and data collection in support of long and short range unmanned aerial variant employment. Oceanit received a $20,000 HSBIR matching grant.

* Pacific Planktonics: Based in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, this aquaculture firm is a first-time SBIR awardee and received a $78,150 Phase I SBIR grant from the Department of Agriculture to determine the feasibility of producing high value ornamental reef fish and reducing the cost of farming these fish. HTDC awarded Pacific Planktonics a matching grant of $21,282.

* Referentia Systems, Inc. - This Honolulu-based e-solutions software development company was awarded a $79,000 Phase I SBIR award to create a 3-D model generator for air-to-ground targeting from a variety of inputs, allowing aircraft to approach from any angle. Referentia received a $20,000 HSBIR grant.

In addition to awarding local SBIR Phase I winners with matching grants, HTDC also provides mentoring and technical assistance to many of Hawaii’s small businesses who qualify for these grants to ensure these companies successfully tap into this resource.

HTDC was established by the Hawaii State Legislature in 1983 to facilitate the development and growth of Hawaii’s commercial high technology industry and to increase revenue generation and job creation within the technology-based sector of Hawaii’s economy. HTDC provides business incubation services statewide, operates and manages three incubation facilities , provides technical assistance for small businesses participating in federal research and development funding programs, and administers the federally funded Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. For more information on HTDC, visit its website at www.htdc.org.