2008 Award Recipients

Best New Incubator Company – AccuStrata, Inc.

Located in the Technology Advancement Program, at the University of Maryland, College Park, AccuStrata provides solutions for managing yield, lowering cost and saving energy in the mass production of new generation film products.

After its first year of operations, AccuStrata has already used its patented process-control systems to extend its business into such thin film product markets as high-efficiency solar cells, high-resolution displays, optical thin films, photonic crystals and nanostructures. It expects to release its first commercial product by the end of the year and quickly ramp up its labor force to address explosive market demand.

Best Life Science Company – Integrated BioTherapeutics Inc.

Housed at FITCI, the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Integrated BioTherapeutics (IBT) focuses on developing vaccines and immunotherapies for Ebola and Marburg viruses, as well as staph and strep bacteria.

IBT was founded in 2005 and became operational in 2006 after receiving a seed grant from TEDCO. Since then, IBT has received several grants and contracts from NIH, the Department of Defense, the US Army and others. Currently IBT has 8 full time employees. It plans to graduate from the FITCI incubator this month, after achieving great success in its first 3 years of operation.

Best Information Technology – Millennial Media, Inc.

Housed in the Emerging Technology Center in Baltimore City, and the winner of last year’s Best New Incubator Company award, Millennial Media has developed a technology to provide targeted advertising directly to mobile devices.

In a very short time, Millennial Media has developed into one of the brightest incubator success stories in Maryland, and into one of the hottest technology companies in the country. In just 2 years, Millennial Media has grown to 45 employees, and performs its services for the likes of CBS News and CBS Sports, Major League Baseball, Verizon Wireless and leading film studios and automotive manufacturers.

Best Technology Service – Government Contracts Consultants

Located in the Garrett Information Enterprise Center in western Maryland, Government Contracts Consultants is focused on providing government agencies with crucial support services.

Government Contracts Consultants is a 2nd straight winner in the Technology Services category for the Garrett County incubator, following Sycamore in 2007. The company currently boasts a head count of 140 employees and provides administrative support, acquisition support, and information technology services to its government clients, including the Department of Homeland Security.

Best Technology Transfer Company – Zymetis, Inc.

Housed in the Technology Advancement Program at the University of Maryland, College Park, Zymetis produces an enzyme that can convert biomass into sugars which are then fermented into biofuel ethanol.

Zymetis is poised to help redefine the alternative fuel market with use of its enzyme which allows the use of potentially cheaper alternatives to corn-based ethanol. Those alternatives may have additional economic and social benefits as in the case for example, of using waste paper that has been diverted from landfills. Not only is Zymetis a home-grown company, but its enzyme is found naturally in the Chesapeake Bay.

Best Homeland Security Company – TRX Systems, Inc.

Located in the Technology Advancement Program at the University of Maryland, College Park, TRX Systems has developed a unique tracking device that can locate individuals inside buildings.

TRX Systems has developed a tracking device that goes where GPS services cannot go. Fire and rescue organizations have been effusive about the potential of TRX Systems' technology for the safe retrieval of their Personnel. TRX expects to develop applications for the technology for use in military operations and for monitoring senior citizens, children and parolees.

Best Graduate Company – PharmAthene, Inc.

A graduate of the Chesapeake Innovation Center in Annapolis, PharmAthene develops countermeasures to a range of potential biological and chemical weapons, including vaccines for anthrax and plague.

PharmAthene is in some ways a classic incubator success story. Back in 2004, PharmAthene won an award as the Best Biotech / Life Science Company, with a workforce of just 14 people. Today, they’ve graduated from CIC, are conducting business globally, and have a work force of 160 people in offices in Annapolis, Quebec and the United Kingdom. PharmAthene stock is now traded on the American Stock Exchange, with a market cap of about $110 million and revenues in 2007 of $14.6 million. They have received about $265 million in government contracts in connection with . And a few months ago, PharmAthene acquired the biodefense vaccines business of Avecia Biologics.

Robert A. Spar Hall of Fame Inductee – VISICU, Inc.

VISICU was originally a member of the Emerging Technology Center in Baltimore. For those who don't know, VISICU partners with healthcare systems to create new standards of excellence using innovative technology and proactive care strategies that saves lives and improves financial outcomes. VISICU has developed a groundbreaking, remote monitoring technology know as the eICU® Program that extends the ability of a single intensive care physician to treat patients. Doctors who currently treat up to a dozen patients on-site can now treat up to 10 times that number remotely, using eICU. VISICU now employs 120 people.