Geocove, Inc., Lee County, Florida release LeeEvac app for iOS, Android-based phones or devices

by: Larry Vershel

Mon May 14, 2012 at 09:19:59 AM EST

ORLANDO Fla.  --- Geocove, Inc., the Orlando firm that specializes in development of sophisticated GIS systems for disaster response teams and government agencies, is taking disaster evacuation preparedness to a whole new level.

Geocove partnered with Lee County, Florida located on the Gulf of Mexico in the state’s Southwest region, to develop a sophisticated GIS-based disaster management system that now includes LeeEvac, a mobile device app available free for iOS and android-based phones or devices.

Karyn Tareen, president and chief executive officer at Geocove, Inc., said the LeeEvac app will provide real-time disaster information along with official disaster evacuation routes and such additional information as shelters for evacuating families.

“The LeeEvac app represents another technically advanced GIS tool for the residents and visitors of Lee County,” Tareen said. “In addition to providing evacuation information that is accessible and relatable at all times to residents and visitors, notifications will instantly warn affected parties in the event of a disaster,” she said.

Situated between the Gulf of Mexico and the Everglades, Lee County is particularly prone to hurricane damage.

With more than 600,000 residents, including the cities of Ft. Myers and Cape Coral, wealthy enclaves such as Captiva Island, Sanibel Island, Bonita Springs and Boca Grande, Lee County represents a particularly appropriate disaster preparedness model, Tareen said.

Lee County also uses Geocove’s popular ARM360 computerized GIS mapping and inventorying program, which helps emergency management agencies locate, identify and quantify damages caused by storms and natural disasters quickly and efficiently.  ARM360 and LeeEvac are based on the Esri platform, the world’s leading GIS software provider.

Geocove is a member of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in the Central Florida Research Park in East Orange County.

About Geocove
Geocove, Inc. provides scalable assessment solutions built using the power of GIS across a multitude of industries.  The Geocove team has extensive experience in providing assessment, reporting and mapping tools for emergency management, building officials, public health and other government agencies as well as utilities and other private industries.  Geocove, Inc., a privately held corporation located in central Florida, is an authorized partner of Esri, the world’s leading GIS software provider.  Please visit www.geocove.com or www.facebook.com/geocove.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, the City of Winter Springs, the City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

USAA names Kissimmee firm founder Military Blogger of the Month

by: Larry Vershel

Mon May 14, 2012 at 08:14:00 AM EST

KISSIMMEE, Fla. ---  Javier Rodriguez, founder of GI Money, a startup company based in Kissimmee that serves military families, was named the January Military Blogger of the Month by USAA, an insurance and financial services company specializing in the military community.

Javier Rodriguez, founder of GI Money, a University of Central Florida Business Incubator company, said his firm is developing a financial education web portal for “our troops and their families, who have sacrificed so much for my family.” GI Money is designed to deliver first class content in support of the unique challenges faced by today’s military family.

“We have thousands of men and women returning home to the US who deserve resources and our support to help them in this transition,” Rodriguez said.

“GI Money was created as that resource, to help veterans ease into a quality life which we owe them, after fighting for our nation and preserving the liberties we enjoy as a nation,” he added.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program 
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, the City of Winter Springs, the City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

Unique Online Kissimmee Based Tea Retailer Wins Grand Prize in International Business Competition

by: Larry Vershel

Fri May 11, 2012 at 10:17:36 AM EST

KISSIMMEE, Fla. --- Luhse Tea LLC, an innovative online retailer of Luhse (loose) teas, a spice blend, and tea accessories that supports the brewing and consumption of Luhse tea won the $1,000 grand prize in the international “Tell Moo About You” business competition sponsored by online printing services Moo USA (usa.moo.com). 

The contest---and Luhse Tea’s grand prize---has already brought international recognition and immediate response to the firm, said co-founders Mindy S. Ferris and Brittney M. Wholihan

The mother-daughter team, who call themselves “The Dames,” launched Luhse Tea last December with a 1920’s prohibition theme, designed to promote the use of   “Luhse” Tea over traditional tea bags.

“The Dames,” developed their approach while traveling the world and experiencing cultural differences as a military family.

The catchphrase for their marketing campaign — “Get Luhse” — aims at giving tea a new face, said co-founder  Ferris.

“The Dames are revamping tea’s stodgy image,” Ferris said. “Our philosophy of tea drinking is simple.  Every sip’s a trip.  For a few moments in one’s hurried day, we can be transported to another place.  Luhse Tea believes every consumer deserves the best, and we are committed to giving it to you.”

In January, Luhse Tea was featured as “site of the day” AWWWARDS.com, based on the site’s design, creativity and innovation.

In February, Shopify, the company’s commerce platform, began using Luhse Tea as a featured example on their website, and blogged about the company’s effective logo.

“We want to free your tea from the mass produced confinements of stodgy-brand teabags,” Wholihan said.

To learn more about Luhse Tea, visit www.luhsetea.com or follow Luhse Tea on Twitter @LuhseTea, Facebook, www.facebook.com/luhseTea or the Luhse Tea blog at LuhseTea.com. 

Luhse Tea is a University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program company based in Kissimmee.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, the City of Winter Springs, the City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

City of Apopka and UCF Open Doors to 10th Business Incubator in Apopka

by: Larry Vershel

Thu May 03, 2012 at 12:58:37 PM EST

APOPKA, Fla.  --- The City of Apopka and the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program recently opened the university’s 10th incubator site located at 325 S. McGee Ave. in Apopka.

Gordon Hogan, director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said Compendium Software Systems LLC, a woman-owned, high-tech small business is the first client company to operate from the 8,000 square foot facility. 

“We were previously working from the Sanford Incubator, which we loved but when we learned about the Apopka Incubator opening this year, we knew we needed to move to the more convenient location,” said Rachel Bragg, president of Compendium, providers of professional software system consulting and development.

Compendium is the creator of BrightFleet.com, a service that provides award-winning driver improvement solutions that help fleet owners save money and reduce risk by proactively identifying and mitigating risk among their drivers. 

Hogan and Rick Parks, site manager at the UCF Business Incubator in Apopka, said they expect to add at least five more client companies this year once the companies complete the University’s Excellence in Entrepreneurship training program. 

The UCF Business Incubator in Apopka which is easily accessible to major arterial highways, is equipped with a state-of-the-art training room that seats 40 with a large computerized presentation board and modern facilities with plenty of parking to accommodate training events and small seminars. 

Hogan added the UCF Business Incubator in Apopka is designed to attract promising startup companies that will generate new jobs and new economic activity in Apopka.

“We are happy to have the University of Central Florida Business Incubator-Apopka program in our community and look forward to exciting things happening in Apopka,” said Mayor John H. Land.

Dr. Tom O’Neal, founder and executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 companies.  In 2009 a study conducted by an independent firm said the program accounted for more than 1,600 jobs in the Central Florida area that year.

The UCF Business Incubation Program operates business incubation facilities in Orlando on the UCF Campus, at Central Florida Research Park near UCF and on East Colonial Drive, and in Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Daytona Beach, Sanford, Winter Springs and Leesburg in addition to Apopka.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, the City of Winter Springs, the City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

Nano Discovery a Finalist to Earn Third Annual Cade Museum Prize worth $50,000

by: Larry Vershel

Thu May 03, 2012 at 12:49:39 PM EST

ORLANDO, Fla. ---  A nanotechnology company in Orlando is one of four finalists in the third annual Cade Museum Prize, which will award $50,000 to the Florida company that develops the most promising new medical technology.

Nano Discovery, Inc. (www.nanodiscoveryinc.com) was one of 120 companies to enter the competition sponsored by the Cade Museum for creativity and invention, named for Dr. James Robert Cade, a professor of renal (kidney) medicine at the University of Florida and the lead inventor of the sports drink Gatorade.

Dr. Qun Huo, founder and chief executive officer of Nano Discovery, LLC, and a researcher and member of the UCF faculty for seven years, piloted the discovery of NanoDLSayTM,  an invention that represents an entirely new approach to detecting, identifying and analyzing bio-molecules.

By measuring unique interactions between bio-molecules using gold nanoparticles, NanoDLSayTM can provide information on disease markers — including cancer — that has never before been feasible and may lead to breakthroughs and understanding and diagnosing these diseases.

Some 30 judges evaluated initial entries seeking the Cade Museum Prize award, according to Cade Museum Executive Director Dorrie Hischman.

The Cade Museum Prize consists of $50,000 in cash, made possible by a grant from the Gainesville Community Foundation, and $10,000 in legal services to be provided by Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP from West Palm Beach.

Each of the three runner-ups will receive $2,500 in legal services.

Nano Discovery, LLC is a member of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation program at Central Florida Research Park in east Orlando.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, the City of Winter Springs, the City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

HOMETOWN HEALTH TV RECEIVES LAKE COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

by: Larry Vershel

Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 12:29:22 PM EST

LEESBURG, Fla. – Hometown Health TV LLC, a Lake County health and medical-oriented TV production company, received a 2012 Lake County Community Service Award  recently (April 25).

In its 22nd year, the 2012 awards were sponsored by the Lake County League of Cities, the Daily Commercial, Leadership Lake, the Chamber Alliance of Lake County, Lake-Sumter Community College’s Business Resource Center and Lake Receptions.

The “Entrepreneur Award” – given to Hometown Health President Marc Robertz-Schwartz√ at a recognition banquet in Mount Dora – was presented for the company’s “continued dedication and commitment” to Lake County and its residents. 

“By name and definition, Hometown Health TV is hyper local to our hometown.  To be recognized for our commitment to our community is not only extremely gratifying and humbling, but proof that we are delivering on our core values of educating, informing and being a significant corporate citizen to the residents of Lake County,” Robertz-Schwartz said.

A client of the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program in Leesburg, Hometown Health TV launched in 2009 with the goals of developing cost-effective video and web platforms for physicians and healthcare professionals, while creating a valuable waiting room experience for patients by educating, informing and entertaining.  For more information, visit www.YourHometownHealth.com.

About Hometown Health TV
Hometown Health TV is complemented by its website www.YourHometownHealth.com and a YouTube channel, both of which include access to the most recent content featured in the video program, as well as profiles of the participating medical professionals and support content. 

About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, the City of Winter Springs, the City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

First Green Bank Aims to Expand Missionary Role in Lake County with New Global Alliance

by: Larry Vershel

Tue Apr 24, 2012 at 11:32:01 AM EST

MOUNT DORA, Fla. --- Terms like “environmental” and “global alliance” may raise the hackles of many conservatives, but for Kenneth LaRoe, the founder of First Green Bank of Mount Dora, the bedrock ideals behind those words have a universal appeal that is steadily winning over Lake County consumers.

First Green Bank recently celebrated the opening of its award-winning Mount Dora headquarters facility by announcing its ranking as the second privately constructed building in Florida to qualify for the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Platinum certification for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

LaRoe admits he worried that the bank’s avowed role as a “local bank with a global mission” might turn off conservative Lake County consumers.

He worried even more last week when he announced that First Green Bank was about to join the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, an international group that ranks as the leading independent network of banks that openly embrace sustainable banking practices.

Recently, LaRoe attended the network’s annual conference in Vancouver. With 15 member banks in 12 countries worldwide, combined assets of more than $26 billion and banking operations in some 24 countries, the Global Alliance for Banking on Values is hardly more than an upstart.

“We haven’t anywhere near the resources of a Bank of America or a Bear Stearns,” LaRoe conceded.

“But we have an unshakable commitment to our communities. And we have a firm conviction that values-based business decisions will create profits that supersede quarterly gains and share prices,” he said.

Values appeal to even the most ardent conservatives, LaRoe said.

“Environmental stewardship, the exercise of moral values, building our communities on sound foundations, these are all fundamental tenets of the conservative movement in America and always have been,” LaRoe said.

LaRoe sees them as building blocks. And so do his customers. The bank’s accounts, deposits, reserves and loans are up substantially over last year.

“The banking industry is evolving from a hunter-gatherer model to a more settled agrarian way of life that applies resources wisely to create surplus and wealth... and hunting seasons,” LaRoe said.

“The economy is recovering, and banking’s role is to power that growth, build communities, and nurture commerce,” he said.

Commercial Property Owners Focus On Recycling Capital Into Better Performing Properties

by: Larry Vershel

Thu Apr 19, 2012 at 11:26:24 AM EST

St. Petersburg, Fla. --- Many of the most astute commercial property owners and investors today are focused on recycling their capital---taking advantage of lower cap rates to dispose of non-core assets and use the proceeds to acquire better-performing properties, says Rachel Elias Wein, AIA, founder and principal of WeinPlus Real Estate Advisory Services in St. Petersburg.

In the bargain, they are trimming their operating costs and selling off lower quality assets to gain fewer but more profitable properties.

Wein said capital recycling is a smart investment move as long as cap rates remain low.

“The advantages are two-fold,” Wein said.

“Higher quality assets generate lower capital costs,” she said. “Higher quality assets offer better spreads, which are discounted by the fact that the investor paid more for these assets. Higher quality assets also save management costs,” Wein added.

“It takes fewer resources internally to manage higher quality assets. It might take 10 people to manage 10 average quality properties and fewer than five to manager five very high-quality properties. Companies are able to be more efficient internally with their resources,” she explained.

Wein said WeinPlus Real Estate Advisory Service partners with its clients — including some of the largest public and private real estate and retail companies in the country – to analyze portfolios and make recommendations to recapitalize, acquire or recycle capital investments.

“Recycling is the growing trend among the most astute owners,” Wein said.

Geocove Exhibit at National Hurricane Conference Rates Interview on The Weather Channel

by: Larry Vershel

Thu Apr 12, 2012 at 12:51:42 PM EST

ORLANDO, Fla.  --- When Geocove, Inc. set up shop at the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando recently they hoped to pitch their company’s technology---the ARM360 Damage Assessment System---to the dozens of state, local and federal government agencies in attendance.

They didn’t expect national TV exposure.

But Geocove’s ARM360 system has some star power. The computerized GIS mapping and inventorying program helps emergency management agencies locate, identify and quantify damages caused by storms and natural disasters quickly and efficiently.

International online broadcaster IPR365.com was the first to spot Geocove on the exhibit floor. IPR365 requested an interview with Karyn Tareen, Geocove’s president and chief executive officer.  To see her videotaped interview visit http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/21426268.

Then came an interview on the Weather Channel with host Jim Cantore and national brand exposure. To view that interview, visit http://www.weather.com/weather/videos/storms-42/hurricanes-213/cool-hurricane-gadgets-26705.

“We were thrilled to be selected as one of four vendors to be featured on The Weather Channel’s feature of cool hurricane gadgets and technology.” Tareen said. “Mr. Cantore was pleased to see our assessment maps of the 2011 Tuscaloosa Tornado, and how this information can be used by a community for better decisions.” she said.

Geocove is a member of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in the Central Florida Research Park in East Orange County.

About Geocove
Geocove, Inc. provides scalable assessment solutions built using the power of GIS across a multitude of industries.  The Geocove team has extensive experience in providing assessment, reporting and mapping tools for emergency management, building officials, public health and other government agencies as well as utilities and other private industries.  Geocove, Inc., a privately held corporation located in central Florida, is an authorized partner of Esri, the world’s leading GIS software provider.  Please visit www.geocove.com or www.facebook.com/geocove.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 125 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. The UCFBIP will open its 10th incubator in Apopka in Spring 2012. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

Geocove User Group Conference Draws over 30 GIS, Emergency Management Experts

by: Larry Vershel

Thu Apr 12, 2012 at 11:37:56 AM EST

ORLANDO, Fla.   --- Geocove, Inc., which develops specialized GIS software to aid disaster recovery teams in locating, quantifying and qualifying damages from natural disasters, recently hosted its second Geocove Users Group conference for over 30 GIS and emergency management experts at the Osceola Emergency Operations Center in Kissimmee.

Karyn Tareen, president and chief executive officer at Geocove, Inc., said User Group conference participants came from California, North Carolina and throughout Florida. The weekend conference included Geocove’s first “Geo-Disney” at Magic Kingdom.

Key presentations included “ the Evolution of Mobile Mapping for First Responders” by Tom Patterson of Esri; another on “ArcGIS for Emergency Management” by Ryan Lanclos, Emergency Management Industry Manager for ESRI, and “Geocove Implements ArcGIS for Emergency Management” by Steve Grise of Geocove.

Tareen said Geocove used the opportunity to showcase its newest version of ARM360, its flagship damage assessment application, and announce its newest product GeoEvac, which helps residents access information about evacuation zones and facilities.

Tareen said Geocove will host follow-up webinars for specialists who were unable to attend the user group conference.

“We are excited about our users’ enthusiasm and support of our products and company,” Tareen said. “We couldn’t ask for a better group of individuals and communities to work with and will continue to work with our customers to make our product line meet and hopefully exceed their expectations and needs,” she said.

Geocove is a member of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in the Central Florida Research Park in East Orange County.

About GeoCove
Geocove, Inc. provides scalable assessment solutions built using the power of GIS across a multitude of industries.  The Geocove team has extensive experience in providing assessment, reporting and mapping tools for emergency management, building officials, public health and other government agencies as well as utilities and other private industries.  Geocove, Inc., a privately held corporation located in central Florida, is an authorized partner of Esri, the world’s leading GIS software provider.  Please visit www.geocove.com or www.facebook.com/geocove.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 125 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. The UCFBIP will open its 10th incubator in Apopka in Spring 2012. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

Two Central Florida Women Embark on Challenge --- For 90 Days, They'll Eat from Florida

by: Larry Vershel

Tue Apr 10, 2012 at 16:33:46 PM EST

ST. CLOUD, Fla. --- Two Central Florida women have pledged to eat only Florida-grown foods for the next 90 days---and log their experiences through their blog, and multiple social media sites including Facebook and Twitter.

Rebecca Reis-Miller and Trish Strawn, local food activists for nearly a decade, say they will eat a healthier, more varied diet thanks to their parameters.  There are added benefits too: fresher, tastier foods, a more sustainable farm-to-table chain, and added revenues for small Florida farmers.

The two know a thing or two about food and where it comes from. Strawn is a fifth generation Rancher with expertise in grass-fed beef and lamb production. She currently chairs the Florida Food Policy Council.  Reis-Miller co-founded Slow Food Orlando five years ago, and led the sustainable food advocacy group for four years. Last year Strawn and Reis-Miller launched Growing Synergy; a consultation and distribution company that helps farms connect with local customers.

Growing Synergy focuses on proteins from small Florida farms and ranches, including beef, lamb, veal, poultry, dairy, pork and even gator.

The company offers farmers and ranchers access to consumers, health food stores, food trucks, hotels, and restaurants, Strawn explained.

“We believe Florida has much to offer in the way of local foods, and we hope to inspire more consumers and businesses to increase their spending with small Florida farmers,” Strawn said.

Growing Synergy boasts a growing list of customers, including DeLand Natural Bakery in DeLand, Living Waters Health Food Store in Ormond Beach and Sustain Natural in Apopka; Food Truck; Big Wheel Provisions; and more than a dozen restaurants/hotels, including K Restaurant, Norman’s, The Table, Ritz Carlton in Orlando, Graze at Harmony Golf Preserve, Guanabanas Island Restaurant and Bar in Jupiter, 3030 Ocean and Market 17 in Fort Lauderdale, Altamare in Miami Beach, Pearl in the Grove in Dade City, Whistle Stop in Safety Harbor, Sideberns in Tampa and even a local gym in called the Body Coach in Windermere,

“The University of Florida/IFAS reports that there are approximately 47,000 small farms in Florida,” Reis-Miller said.

The Florida Food Policy Council is currently conducting an impact study to show how important Florida consumers are to small Florida farms. 

To follow their journey, the Eating from Florida 90 Day Food Challenge, visit “Growing Synergy” on Facebook or www.GrowingSynergy.com. 

The Eating from Florida 90 Day Food Challenge will conclude with a dinner at The Table Restaurant in Orlando on June 20.  To book a reservation to attend the closing dinner at The Table restaurant on June 20, visit TheTableOrlando.com.

Strawn said all of the food that will be consumed would come from Florida farms. Locally produced artisan foods---breads and cheeses, for example---may be made from ingredients produced outside the state.

Growing Synergy is a client company with the UCF Business Incubation Program and located at the St. Cloud Incubator. 

About Growing Synergy
Growing Synergy is a food distribution and consulting company for small farms and ranches in Central Florida.  The approach is in the name - to Grow in Synergy - both in nature and in business.   Growing Synergy extends a whole-system approach throughout its business operations as well, including: strategic development, marketing and distribution. Growing Synergy proudly distributes proteins from local farms and ranches including beef, poultry, lamb, veal, dairy, eggs, honey and value-added products.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 125 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. The UCFBIP will open its 10th incubator in Apopka in spring 2012. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

InternEdge Sees Explosive Growth in Social Recruitment Efforts

by: Larry Vershel

Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 12:18:42 PM EST

ORLANDO, Fla.  --- InternEdge, which offers social recruitment solutions (http://www.internedge.com/social-recruitment) to help companies source student talent for internships and entry-level positions as well as promote their employer brand on college and university campuses, reports seeing a rapid growth in companies adapting social recruitment as part of  an overall human resources strategy with emphasis on using social media to recruit top workers.

Adam Singh, Co-founder and President at InternEdge, said social media — including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and other outlets — offer employers big advantages in recruiting workers.

“Social media recruiting gives employers sourcing flexibility by accessing the largest talent pool, Facebook” Singh said.

“Recruiting on Facebook is particularly beneficial for companies that source top workers from college and university campuses,” Singh said.

“A well-planned social recruitment strategy gets employees involved in the recruiting efforts which increase employee referrals and substantially reduce recruiting costs.  Applicants tend to be better aligned to the company dynamic,” he said.   To help companies increase their number of employee referrals and social media shares for open positions, InternEdge recently published a guide, “How to Optimize Job Postings for Social Media Sharing,” a free resource for employers (http://www.internedge.com/ebook-how-to-optimize-job-postings-for-social-media-sharing).

“More than 14 million people used social media to find a job in 2011,” Singh said.

“About 25 percent of the time we spend online is spent on social networking sites, and a recent BlogHer study shows that we now spend more time interacting with friends on social media than  we do face-to-face,” Singh said.

Almost three quarters of all job seekers who use both social networks and job boards found their jobs through social networking last year, and almost 90 percent of U.S. companies plan to use social networks for recruiting.

“Social media recruiting, as part of an overall social recruitment strategy is only going to get bigger over the next several years,” Singh said.

InternEdge is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in the Central Florida Research Park in East Orange County.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program: 
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 125 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. The UCFBIP will open its 10th incubator in Apopka in Spring 2012. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.eduand UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

GreenPath Energy Solutions Awarded a Raymond James Financial Contract

by: Larry Vershel

Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 09:17:43 AM EST

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando-based GreenPath Energy Solutions has been selected to perform a comprehensive energy study for Raymond James Financial.

In the study, GreenPath will identify all energy conservation measures (ECMs) and prioritize these measures with a reasonable rate of return that Raymond James can use to help reduce energy use and operational expenditures at their 44-acre corporate headquarters campus in St. Petersburg; specifically focusing on the campus’ four office towers, two parking garages, site lighting, and commercial bank, all totaling over 1 million square feet.

“The energy audit will identify all potential energy and cost saving opportunities that offer positive life cycle savings to the campus facilities including any problems with electrical, water, lighting, and mechanical systems. In addition, our team will enter all utility data into the USEPA Portfolio Manager Tool and perform energy utilization index (EUI), cost index (CI), and benchmark analysis for each site,” said Samuel Graham, GreenPath’s president. 

“When completed, the company will have a comprehensive energy study of their corporate headquarters campus and recommended energy conservation measures (ECMs) that will reduce energy use and operational expenditures as well as an overall assessment of the company’s various energy consumption systems and equipment,” said Graham.

“We’re very excited to be able to provide these kinds of services to area businesses who are not only interested in saving money, but who truly want to help the environment,” he said.

GreenPath Energy Solutions has been a client of the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program in Orlando since March of 2010, according to Melissa Wasserman, site manager for the incubator located on East Colonial Drive.

“GreenPath has been working hard to help building owners understand and reduce their energy costs. This has allowed Sam to grow his own company during a tough economy. It is a win win for the entire community,” Wasserman said.

For more information about the company and its services, contact them at 321-948-3623 or sgraham@greenpathes.com or visit www.greenpathenergysolutions.com.

About GreenPath Energy Solutions: 
GreenPath Energy Solutions provides a comprehensive range of energy-efficient building services to building owners and facility managers who want to reduce energy consumption and implement a sustainable green building retrofit plan.  The company works with federal, state and local governments, commercial portfolio owners, schools, and public housing authorities to help them implement green building strategies.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 125 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. The UCFBIP will open its 10th incubator in Apopka in Spring 2012. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

About Raymond James:
Raymond James Financial (NYSE-RJF) is a Florida-based diversified holding company providing financial services to individuals, corporations and municipalities through its subsidiary companies. Its three principal wholly owned broker/dealers, Raymond James & Associates, Raymond James Financial Services and Raymond James Ltd. have approximately 5,400 financial advisors serving 2 million accounts in 2,400 locations throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. In addition, total client assets are approximately $289 billion, of which approximately $38 billion are managed by the firm’s asset management subsidiaries.
 

Dicapta forms partnership with Smith-Kettlewell Video Description Research and Development Center

by: Larry Vershel

Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 16:21:59 PM EST

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla.  --- Dicapta who specializes in producing Spanish-language captioning and description for a wide array of prominent Latino and Spanish-language networks, has formed a partnership with the Smith-Kettlewell Video Description Research and Development Center (VDRDC).

Maria Diaz, chief executive officer of Dicapta, said the VDRDC helps to develop innovative technologies to make online video more accessible to blind and visually-impaired students and consumers.

Diaz said she will be the liaison for the Dicapta partnership with the Smith-Kettlewell VDRDC and will provide consultation on software design to ensure its appropriateness for Spanish-language speakers.   She will also help the center connect with mainstream producers of web-based Spanish-language educational video content.  

“The VDRDC has organized a large group of partners and stakeholders into the Description Leadership Network, which serves as the leading resource for advanced video annotation methods for educational media,” Diaz said.

Dicapta is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program located at 1511 E. S.R. 434 in Winter Springs.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program: 
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 125 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. The UCFBIP will open its 10th incubator in Apopka in Spring 2012. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

Newmark Knight Frank's Southeast Capital Group Negotiates Sale of Banks Crossing

by: Larry Vershel

Fri Mar 09, 2012 at 12:08:33 PM EST

ATLANTA, Ga. --- The Southeast Capital Group at Newmark Knight Frank in Atlanta recently negotiated the sale of the 256,930-square foot Banks Crossing retail center at 134 Banks Crossing in Fayetteville, Ga. for $19.5 million.

Whitney Knoll, who heads the Southeast Capital Group at Newmark Knight Frank, brokered the transaction representing seller Banks Crossing Associates, LLC along with Newmark Knight Frank associates Fred Victor, Mark Hillis and Andrew O’Brien.

Nightingale Properties acquired the neighborhood retail center, which is 97 percent occupied by anchors that include JC Penney, Kroger, Kroger Fuel Center, Guitar Center, Farmers House Furniture, CitiFinancial and Goodyear.

Knoll said Banks Crossing retail center was built in 1987 and renovated in 2005. 

“The sale of this core-plus property reflects that grocery anchored centers are in high demand,” said Knoll.

“This asset was a natural fit for the Nightingale Properties portfolio,” Victor said.

Dicapta Plays Leading Role Providing Spanish Language Captioning of Educational Media

by: Larry Vershel

Wed Mar 07, 2012 at 12:55:45 PM EST

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla.  --- Dicapta has emerged as a leading provider of Spanish-language video descriptions and captions for educational media for blind and hearing-impaired students in the U.S.

Maria Diaz, chief executive officer, said Dicapta has been named a strategic partner of the Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP), a private not-for-profit organization funded by the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the National Association for the Deaf.

“The mission of the DCMP is to make educational media accessible to all, including blind and deaf students, by captioning and describing the vast educational media resources available in the U.S. today,” Diaz said.

Educational media---videos and tapes---is a major resource in the education of students with disabilities at all levels, Diaz said. But almost all U.S. educational media are produced in  English.

“That is as it should be, but Spanish-speaking students with disabilities have limited access to such resources. This is why we are so pleased that the DCMP is going to add Spanish titles to its existing collection,” Diaz said.

The U.S. Department of Education funds efforts by the National Association for the Deaf to caption and describe educational media, Diaz said.

Now, Dicapta is playing a leading role in captioning and describing educational media for Spanish-speaking students.

“The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that Latinos develop visual impairments and blindness at the highest rate of any ethnic group in the country,” Diaz said.

“Gallaudet University reported in 2009-2010 that more than half of all deaf children are from ethnic/racial minority groups and that almost a third---30.4 percent---of these children are Latino,” she said.

“Educational media with Spanish-language captions and descriptions can offer many of these students a level playing field in the race to gain literacy skills and beyond and an education that will help make them productive citizens,” Diaz said.

“That is the need we are filling and we are pleased to say that we are a leading provider of these services in the U.S.,” she said.

Dicapta is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in Winter Springs.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program: 
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 125 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. The UCFBIP will open its 10th incubator in Apopka in spring 2012. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

Orlando Transportation Company Forges Partnership with Celebrity Football Investor

by: Larry Vershel

Fri Mar 02, 2012 at 10:53:15 AM EST

ORLANDO, Fla.  – GroundFlights – an Orlando-based executive transportation company and winner of the 2011 Orlando, Inc. B.I.G. Award – recently welcomed New England Patriots’ Bret Lockett as an investor/partner.

After promoting GroundFlights for a year, Lockett – a safety for the NFL team – came on board as a partner in January, according to Chief Executive Officer Thomas Duffy.

“Bret was a part of GroundFlights long before we officially launched services; he was constantly promoting us to friends and associates.  However, before Bret would partner with us, we had to prove our business model and show him the long term potential in a company such as GroundFlights,” Duffy said.

In an interview with Business Insider, Lockett elaborated on how he became involved with the innovative transportation company, explaining his current entrepreneurial endeavors as well as his plans for when his football days are over.

“I love football, but I also have a passion for music and business,” he said.  “The average career for a professional football player is 3½ years. You figure that after three to four years, you’ll have to get a new job.”

Lockett said when he met Duffy – a pilot – he saw the potential in what he was trying to accomplish with GroundFlights, a business client of the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program in Orlando.

He said the statewide ground transportation – technologically advanced Lincoln Navigator SUVs – houses mobile executive offices (MEOs) that include all the amenities you would expect in an executive office suite.

Because clients don’t have to worry about going through baggage and security with GroundFlights, Lockett said it’s much more convenient than flying.

“It's essentially a jet on wheels for business executives”, he said.

About GroundFlights: 
GroundFlights is an executive transportation company that provides on-demand, door-to-door mobile executive office (MEO) service throughout Florida.  The MEOs are specially constructed and technologically advanced Lincoln Navigator SUVs that are equipped with all of the amenities expected in an executive office suite and driven by a trained and certified ground pilot.  The company’s goal is to alleviate stress and maximize productivity for those traveling on business.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 125 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. The UCFBIP will open its 10th incubator in Apopka in Spring 2012. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

Lennar Opens New Model Villa Homes Priced from the Low $100s at Autumnwood Grove in Lakeland

by: Larry Vershel

Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 14:20:53 PM EST

LAKELAND, Fla. --- Lennar’s Central Florida Division has opened two new villa model homes priced from the low $100s at Autumnwood Grove on Bartow Road (U.S. 98) one mile south of Polk Parkway in Lakeland.

Mark Metheny,  president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said new two and three bedroom villa homes at Autumnwood Grove range in size from 1,400 square feet of living space to 1,517 square feet with one-car garages.

The model villa homes are the St. Vincent and St. Marten.

Lennar builds townhomes and villa homes at Autumnwood Grove priced from the $80s

Best iProducts™.com of Daytona Beach one of 64 International firms showcased at 2012 Consumer Show

by: Larry Vershel

Tue Feb 21, 2012 at 16:11:54 PM EST

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The owner of Best iProducts™.com – a Daytona Beach design and manufacturing company – recently returned from Las Vegas where he introduced the iEraser™, The Ultimate Screen Cleaning Device™, at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show at the Venetian Hotel.

Robert Skelton√, a University of Central Florida Business Incubator client in Daytona Beach, said his iEraser™ received a great reception at the show, which was attended by more than 153,000 people. Located in the “Eureka Park” section of the show, the company joined 64 other up-and-coming international companies, which were accepted into the new showcase area of the CES show.

“We knew this was the first market segment we wanted to enter after sensing the increasing popularity of tablets, PDAs and other hand-held electronic devices,” Skelton said.  “The iEraser™, our flagship product, is the result of nearly two years of product development and is unparalleled in its ability to clean fingerprints and smudges from glass-screened tablets, monitors and flat-screen TVs.”

Skelton, who has dubbed himself “iRob,” says the pocketsize rectangular iEraser™ – which comes in black, white and pink – removes fingerprints from any kind of glass screen with a single pass without rubbing back and forth.  Later this month, it will be sold for $14.95 from the company website at www.BestiProducts.com or www.TheiEraser.com.

The iEraser™ was a hit at the electronics show as journalists covering the event saw how quickly their smudged computer screens were after a complimentary screen cleaning. 

Because of the response, Skelton said he has secured a space triple the size of this year for the 2013 CES in one of the main convention halls alongside major players such as Microsoft, Sharp, etc.  And, next month the company will exhibit at the annual CAMEX show in Salt Lake City, Utah, where they will market to more than 2,000 college bookstore buyers.

With manufacturing offices in Edgewater, Fla., Best iProducts™.com recently opened its design studio at the incubator office at Daytona Beach International Airport, Skelton said. 

Doris Bernal√, site manager at the Daytona Beach location, said Best iProducts™.com is a welcome addition to the incubator, joining five other companies, and she is looking forward to helping them expand their product line. 

All Best iProducts™.com products are 100 percent made in the U.S.

“Rob invited me to his shop and told me the story behind the iEraser™,” Bernal said.  “I was so excited about his invention that we got him into the incubator program right away.”

Bernal describes Skelton as a “serial entrepreneur” who is waiting to have the next $10 million idea.  “He not only has the iEraser™, but the potential to start a successful high-growth company here in Volusia County.”  She said the incubator is a key partner in his business adventure and they are “going to help him take his idea to the next level.”

About the UCF Business Incubation Program: 
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 125 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. The UCFBIP will open its 10th incubator in Apopka in Spring 2012. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

OOTii LLC LAUNCHES RELIC BALL---PLAYABLE DEMO OF NEW SOCIAL MEDIA GAME

by: Larry Vershel

Tue Feb 21, 2012 at 15:20:32 PM EST

St. Cloud, Fla. --- ootii LLC, the Central Florida gaming studio that got its start at the University of Central Florida’s Interactive Entertainment Academy, will launch a playable version of its new social media game on March 6 that targets avid social gamers, the “hardcore” of the online gaming phenomenon.

Timothy Tryzbiak, co-founder of ootii, said avid or “hardcore” social gamers represent a growing niche of traditional gamers who are shifting time from console and PC games to games on the social platforms.

“ootii is offering this market segment an action-oriented alternative we think they will find compelling,” Tryzbiak said.

Dubbed Relic Ball, the demo version of the game has an ulterior motive: gamers who play the mini-version are asked to provide developers with feedback.

“Relic Ball is a skills based action game where players travel the world and discover ancient artifacts by interacting with the environment in real time,” Tryzbiak said. 

“In the full release, users create custom content and gain rewards as other players solve and rate the adventures they create. That’s unique in the social games market,” Tryzbiak explained.

The playable demo will allow users to travel to select destinations and solve physics-based puzzles as they avoid flaming traps, leap huge chasms, and search for lost relics. 

Tryzbiak said the demo will be available on Facebook March 6. The full version of Relic Ball is scheduled for release in June.

ootii LLC is a client company of the UCF Business Incubator in St. Cloud.

About ootii - ootii is an interactive entertainment company focused on games in the social market.  Founded in 2011 by graduates from the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy at the University of Central Florida, ootii develops fresh and engaging story-based action games not typically found on social networks.  By providing unique gameplay and keeping an open community, ootii is appealing to both traditional and casual gamers alike.
To learn more, please visit www.ootii.com and www.facebook.com/ootiiGames

About the UCF Business Incubation Program: 
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 125 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. The UCFBIP will open its 10th incubator in Apopka in spring 2012. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.