SFTA Entrepreneurs Graduate FastTrac(R) TechVenture(TM) Program

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The South Florida Technology Alliance (SFTA) in conjunction with the Center for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) ofResearch Triangle Park, North Carolina (RTP) proudly announces the graduation of the first class of entrepreneurs from the FastTrac(R) TechVenture(TM) Program in southFlorida. A dozen dedicated executives from nineSouth Florida technology start-ups participated in the ten-week program, which included live broadcasts over the Internet from RTP and local on-site guidance and feedback from fourSouth Florida mentors. The Enterprise Development Corporation ofSouth Florida (EDC) located in the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University co-sponsored the program and provided conference facilities.

Jim Greene, CEO of Routerware System, LLC, an intelligent router software provider, said, "I strongly recommend the FastTrac(R) program sponsored by SFTA and the Center for Entrepreneurial Development to anyone considering a new business or seeking to raise capital for an existing business. Even though I had previously founded another company and been involved in several startup companies, FastTrac(R) provided an extremely valuable format to prepare for launching my new company. Most importantly, I developed relationships with four highly skilled mentors that were readily available to roll up their sleeves to help me move my business forward with sage advice. By far, FastTrac(R) is the best investment any entrepreneur could make to accelerate their business launch or to raise capital."

"The FastTrac(R) program has assisted me with the entrepreneurial developmental tools to manage and grow a successful business while expanding my relationships with theSouth Florida technology community," said Steven Muntean, CEO of BlackBoxGPS, a mobile force and asset tracking company.

Fostering entrepreneurship is a priority for the SFTA. "Growing the technology sector inSouth Florida is accomplished one company at a time. The FastTrac TechVenture Program helps prepare growth-oriented southFlorida companies to succeed, raise the capital they need and become part of the positive awareness of our region," Said Chip Casanave, SFTA President and CEO ofMiami's Data Access Worldwide.

The Fall 2008 FastTrac(R)TechVenture(TM) Program Graduates inSouth Florida are:

-- Accelogic LLC, accelerating numerical linear algebra problems through algorithms in reconfigurable/FPGA computing.

-- BlackboxGPS, providers of asset tracking solutions.

-- Deluo LLC, offering accessory consumer electronics for people on the go.

-- Eden Engineering, Inc., providers of computing and networking resources.

-- Ergret Technologies, Inc., an engineering design services firm.

-- Neway Systems & Products, developers of manufacturing systems and products.

-- Routerware System, LLC, providers of software and hardware solutions for CISCO AXP platform.

-- Strategic Points LLC, developers of Web services and technology that generate web surfer profiles of data.

-- Wireless Logistics, a logistics management company.

More than 454 companies have graduated the FastTrac(R) TechVenture(TM) program since 2001. The SFTA will continue the program, in cooperation with CED, inSouth Florida.

About SFTA: The South Florida Technology Alliance (SFTA) promotes the growth, success and awareness of the regional technology community. Through events, networking, programs and education, we provide southFlorida's technology-related companies, academic institutions, entrepreneurs, governments and related organizations with an active forum to grow the business of technology in our region. www.southfloridatech.org

About CED: The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1984 to identify, enable and promote high-growth, high-impact companies and accelerate the region's entrepreneurial culture. Headquartered in theResearch Triangle Park, CED is the oldest and largest entrepreneurial support organization in the nation with more than 5,000 active members representing over 1,100 companies. FastTrac(R) TechVenture(TM) is a comprehensive business training program that addresses the needs of start-up entrepreneurs refining and writing their business plans and seeking to grow sustainable high-impact companies. www.cednc.org

About EDC: Founded in 1994 as a non-profit, public/private partnership, EDC provides assistance to emerging science and technology companies throughoutSouth Florida. Through its mentoring program, EDC offers expertise in new product development and commercialization, business strategy development and execution, technology transfer, strategic alliances, and preparing for fundraising. EDC also manages the Technology Business Incubator located in the Florida Atlantic University Research & Development Park and produces two major conferences each year in support ofSouth Florida's emerging science and technology sector. EDC's overall economic impact in the region is in excess of $300 million. The organization maintains offices in Palm Beach,Broward andMiami-Dade counties. For more information, visit www.edc-tech.org, or contact Jane Teague, Executive Director, at jteague@edc-tech.org, call 561-620-8494 ext. 15, or write her at Enterprise Development Corporation, 3701 FAU Boulevard, Suite 210,Boca Raton, FL 33431.

Contact: Jackie Fernandez

Telephone: 954.239.9739

e-mail: Jackie@southfloridatech.org

SOURCE South Florida Technology Alliance

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