Georgia Tech's Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) has joined a unique national network of business and technology incubators that is focusing the power of entrepreneurship on the nation's most pressing security challenges.

The Technology Acceleration for National Security (TANS) Network includes seven founding incubators from Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, New York, Texas and Virginia. Additional applications are being processed and the Network is expected to reach 10 states by early 2006.

"We are proud to be chosen to participate in this network of elite incubators around the country," said Tony Antoniades, general manager of the ATDC. "This effort will make it much easier for our companies with homeland security technologies to get in front of the right audiences. The use of their innovative technologies will ultimately lead to a safer America."

Selected for their superior services and capabilities, these incubators represent 106 resident small businesses. The incubators will work with these and future member companies to meet the emerging technology needs of major government organizations and corporations. The TANS Network will create a channel into the security marketplace, providing advanced technologies to improve national security while helping the incubator members advance their local economic development goals.

Companies represented by the Network provide solutions such as compliance-driven vulnerability scanning for networks, high-beam X-ray scanning for containers, nanotechnologies, multimedia search, wireless antenna technology, transliteration data mining to match terrorist names, IT user authentication, data visualization, massive data storage/transfer, and a treatment for anthrax.

The Network will provide a powerful method for major corporations and government agencies to identify and nurture innovative security technologies, including those being developed outside the Washington, DC-area. TANS organizer the Chesapeake Innovation Center (CIC) already works with partners such as Northrop Grumman, BearingPoint, ARINC and the National Security Agency (NSA). The new network will expand these efforts while adding additional security technology customers located near each member incubator.

"We believe entrepreneurship is a key national asset for enhancing the security of our nation. The TANS Network will help entrepreneurs across America address critical technology challenges faced by the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, intelligence community, state/local government, and major corporations," said John Elstner, CEO of the CIC.

Business incubators and accelerators provide support services - often including consulting and office space -- to accelerate the success of small businesses. TANS Network members will provide proprietary services to help their residents succeed in the often complex world of government contracting and security technology. Services will include market intelligence, focused networking, and teaming on contracts.

Founding Members of the TANS Network include:

The Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC)
The Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) is a nationally recognized science and technology incubator that helps Georgia entrepreneurs launch and build successful companies. ATDC provides strategic business advice and connects its member companies to the people and resources they need to succeed. Part of the Georgia Institute of Technology, the ATDC serves 36 early-stage technology companies in Atlanta, Columbus, Savannah and Warner Robins.
Tony Antoniades, General Manager
http://www.atdc.org

Chesapeake Innovation Center (CIC)
America's first business accelerator for the homeland and national security sectors, the CIC harnesses the power of entrepreneurship to enhance our nation's technological edge. A public-private partnership initiated by the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, the CIC is a driving component of Maryland's emerging "Informatics Corridor." CIC partners include Northrop Grumman, BearingPoint, Next Century Corp. and the National Security Agency. Among the Center's sponsors are DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP, ARINC, M&T Bank, Kelly FedSecure, and Whiteford Taylor and Preston. The Center's 19 resident member companies offer a range of security and informatics technologies and services.
John Elstner, CEO
www.cic-tech.org

Colorado Springs Technology Incubator (CSTI)
Opened in March 2001, the Colorado Springs Technology Incubator serves to foster the development and success of high-growth companies in the greater Colorado Springs area. The mission of the organization is to provide resources to entrepreneurs, allowing them to successfully grow their companies into major employers in the area. These companies will contribute high-wage jobs, an outlet for local intellectual capital and contributions to the local economy.
Gary Markle, President
http://www.cstionline.org

Harrisonburg Innovation Center (HIC)
The Harrisonburg Innovation Center (HIC) is the first technology innovation center in the City of Harrisonburg's newly created Harrisonburg Downtown Technology Zone (HDTZ). Located two hours from Washington, D.C. and ideal for federal contractor relocation, the HIC is a "self-networking" environment that integrates intellectual capital with technology to develop health and security solutions for corporate and national well-being. The HIC provides client-members unprecedented support through their highly developed philosophy and model that networks client-members, provides contracting and research vehicles, helps grow client-members through business assistance seminars and workshops and provides a "world class" and secure technology infrastructure. (facility opens January '07)
Jim Barnes, Executive Director
http://www2.ci.harrisonburg.va.us/index.php?id=211 and www.hdtz.org

Northeast Alabama Entrepreneurial System (NEAES)
The Northeast Alabama Entrepreneurial System (NEAES) is an economic development program designed to assist new and emerging businesses by providing a series of business incubation services which accelerate the growth of companies and provide for long-term stability. NEAES is working to develop new business opportunities centered around technology clusters developing in the East Alabama region. As a founding partner of the Center for Collaborative Research & Training CCRT), NEAES, along with its private and public partners, is leading in the development of an initiative that will focus on training and education for corporate and public executives to optimize their decision making capabilities in dealing with emergency situations. CCRT will also focus on the development of simulation programs leading to more effective emergency planning exercises and clearer decision making by mid to upper level management.
Giles McDaniel, Executive Director
http://www.neaes.org

Texas Research & Technology Foundation (TRTF)
The Texas Research and Technology Foundation (TRTF) is a non-profit scientific research and education organization focused on leveraging the life science and technology-based assets in San Antonio and South Texas to provide medical and technological benefits and economic development opportunities in the South Texas Region, State of Texas, and the Nation. The TRTF network includes universities, colleges, industry representatives, military medical and intelligence professionals, technology commercialization and venture capital experts to provide a systematic process to create commercial enterprise around cutting-edge technologies, and nurture the enterprise through business development to maturity.
York Duncan, President
http://www.trpf.com

Watervliet Innovation Center (WIC)
The Watervliet Innovation Center (WIC) is a state-of-the-art business incubation program focused on accelerating the growth of emerging homeland defense and security technology companies. A new, focused program of the Center for Economic Growth, the WIC is located in a modern facility at the Watervliet Arsenal, home to the US Army's manufacturing center for large caliber cannon, 10 established private sector technology companies and defense contractors, and Benet Laboratories, a $120 million government research laboratory with world-class capabilities in materials, composites, and coatings. The Watervliet Innovation Center supports existing and start-up technology companies developing advanced materials, nanotechnology, and information technology for cutting edge homeland defense and security applications.
Simon Balint, Director
www.watervlietinnovation.org

ATDC News & Information
Georgia Institute of Technology
75 Fifth Street, N.W., Suite 100
Atlanta, Georgia 30308 USA

Media Relations Contact: John Toon (404-894-6986); E-mail: (john.toon@edi.gatech.edu).