CIT Announces the Second Round of EMERGE 2016: Wearable Technology
Herndon, VA (PRWEB) August 08, 2016 -- In partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the U.S. Department of Energy Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) announced today the kickoff of EMERGE 2016: Wearable Technology, an expansion of the successful pilot begun last year that accelerated the delivery of the latest innovative wearable technologies for first responders.
EMERGE continues a larger S&T initiative to engage entrepreneurs in finding innovative ideas that address the unique needs of the homeland security community. PNNL is supporting DHS to advance technologies to enhance responder health and address complex and changing threat environments. CIT and its partner TechNexus were chosen again to use business accelerator networks to locate and foster innovative individuals and companies with commercial wearable technology that could be adapted for first responder use.
EMERGE will build on the success of companies accepted into the EMERGE pilot last year, and will open applications to a new round of companies who are developing the next generation of wearable technologies.
CIT is partnering with TechNexus, a Chicago-based venture collaborative that sits at the intersection of large, incumbent corporations and the entrepreneurial ecosystem, looking to market validate ventures. TechNexus reaches innovators from across the global ecosystem, and builds ventures around demand-driven innovation.
Ed Albrigo, CIT President and CEO, said, “Having been chosen again by DHS S&T reinforces CIT’s value in creating public-private partnerships to not only bring the best innovations into government that serve homeland security’s mission but also help emerging startups find new markets to sell products. We are honored and humbled to once again enter into this partnership.”
In 2014, S&T announced a new focus to significantly change and reinvent the face of federal government research and development (R&D). S&T is using novel ways to engage non-traditional partners such as entrepreneurs including prize competitions, tapping into accelerator and incubator networks, and directly funding startups to find ways to attract innovators and bring innovative solutions to DHS.
Terry Howerton, CEO, TechNexus, said, “This forward thinking partnership stems from the need to better protect our first responders by identifying new cutting-edge technologies. During the pilot, we effectively engaged and located these innovative technologies by tapping into the entrepreneurial ecosystem. We are excited to build upon the successes of last year and continue our partnership with CIT, and DHS S&T.”
EMERGE is open to any early stage companies who are ready to engage in a new market interaction designed to produce the next generation of innovation in the wearable technology space. The team is looking for candidates that are creating commercial wearable technology that could be adapted for responders.
To apply for EMERGE 2016: Wearable Technology, go to http://www.cit.org/emerge.
About the Center for Innovative Technology, http://www.cit.org
Since 1985, CIT, a nonprofit corporation, has been Virginia’s primary driver of innovation and entrepreneurship. CIT accelerates the next generation of technology and technology companies through commercialization, capital formation, market development and revenue generation services. To facilitate national innovation leadership and accelerate the rate of technology adoption, CIT creates partnerships between innovative technology start-up companies and advanced technology consumers. CIT’s CAGE Code is 1UP71. Follow CIT on Twitter @CITorg and add the Center for Innovative Technology on LinkedIn and Facebook.
About Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, http://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) conducts serves as the scientific and analytical core of U.S. Department of Homeland Security. S&T supports the Homeland Security Enterprise in six core areas borders and maritime security, cybersecurity, chemical and biological defense, countering explosives, enhancing resilience, and first responder safety and security. To learn more, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology. Follow S&T on Twitter @DHSSciTech and Facebook.
About Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, http://www.pnnl.gov
Interdisciplinary teams at PNNL address many of America's most pressing issues in energy, the environment and national security through advances in basic and applied science. Founded in 1965, PNNL employs 4,400 staff and has an annual budget of nearly $1 billion. It is managed by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. As the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, the Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
About TechNexus Venture Collaborative, http://www.technexus.com
TechNexus Venture Collaborative bridges the gap between the global entrepreneurial ecosystem and leading corporations, catalyzing meaningful engagement between the two. Blending elements of venture incubation, capital, and corporate innovation, TechNexus is a second-stage accelerator that invests in venture growth in collaboration with closely aligned corporate partners. Over 400 ventures have grown with TechNexus to date, and it operates a global network through which it sources, filters, and engages venture activity.
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Kevin May, Center for Innovative Technology, +1 7036893064, [email protected]
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