Center challenges security industry to defend America

Sep 13, 2006 12:26 PM

The Chesapeake Innovation Center (CIC), a business accelerator for Homeland and national security, has issued a call for companies with innovative technology for the first "Defend America Challenge," a competition open to companies with a product or service specializing in the Homeland or national security field. The grand prize is $25,000.

The selection committee, including John Belcher, CEO of ARINC, Christopher Foster, deputy secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, and Stephen Fredrick, a principal at Grotech Capital Group, will review business plans and select the winners based upon innovation in technology and viability of the business.

"The Defend America Challenge is designed to identify companies across the country who have developed the most innovative technology for defending our Homeland," says Laura Neuman, interim executive director of the CIC. "Participants' business plans will be reviewed by leaders in the Homeland security field, providing these entrepreneurs with a connection to some of the CIC's high-level partners."

The Competition will use TechBridge, the CIC program that matches emerging technology with market needs. Selected participants, regardless of outcome, will have the opportunity to gain access and exposure through TechBridge.

"The Defend America Challenge is an important initiative in meeting the mission of the CIC," says Aaron J. Greenfield, president and CEO of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corp. and chairman of the CIC board of directors. "By providing entrepreneurs access to CIC partners in the Homeland and national security space, the CIC is further cementing the bridge between major users of security technology and small companies at the forefront of innovation."

The judging of six semi-finalists will take place before a live audience on January 19, 2007. Cash and in-kind prizes, provided by contest sponsors, will be awarded to the winner and one runner-up.

Beginning Monday September 11, 2006, business executive summaries can be submitted online at www.defendamericachallenge.com/. All executive summaries must be submitted on or before November 15, 2006.

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