Posts Tagged ‘Innovation Rocks!’
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
There was a time when a vascular surgeon only had flat, two-dimensional CT or MRI scans of a patient to refer to when considering what will be the best approach to surgery. Now, thanks to a West Lebanon-based biotech company, that surgeon can utilize three-dimensional models, created from patient scans, for pre-op planning.
 In recognition of this and other innovative technology it has pioneered, M2S has won the Innovation Rocks! Award from the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center and Rock 101 (WGIR-FM).
Founded in 1997, M2S specializes in HIPPA- compliant medical image and data management services for clinical data registries, advanced radiographic image analysis and aortic disease device clinical trials. The goal: to improve patient outcomes.
According M2S President and COO, Greg Lange, “We provide three-dimensional medical imaging to physicians and hospitals all over the U.S. Using digital scans they provide, we create 2D and 3D models, complete with measurement tools that can be used for optimal pre-op planning. For example, our advanced imaging software has been used widely in vascular surgery planning for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA).” By also using M2S’s web-based database system, the physician can track patients over time to determine and refine treatment strategies and achieve better outcomes.”
Customized registries that collect long-term data are another M2S product. One example is the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI), established by the Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) in partnership with M2S. VQI provides a a common platform for participating institutions and physicians to analyze outcomes of nine procedures, reinforce best practices, and share quality improvement efforts. More than 85 institutions are taking part in VQI, entering data on an average of 300 procedures a week. Another aspect of the initiative is regional collaboration of program participants. Under the auspices of the SVS Patient Safety Organization, regional quality groups share and analyze data through anonymous, benchmarked reports to initiate quality-improvement projects. There are regional groups all over the U.S., including New England, that meet twice each year.
“M2S has been committed to improving vascular patient outcomes for over ten years with our advanced 3D modeling technology. We believe that the addition of the Vascular Quality Initiative to our scope of services, combined with our standardized pre- and post-operative imaging, will significantly improve patient care,” explains Lang.
“M2S is an example of a biotech start-up with roots in academia—in this case, Dartmouth—that has evolved to become an innovation leader in its industry,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Chris Way in making the announcement that M2S was chosen as the December 2011 Innovation Rocks! winner. “We anticipate they’ll grow their business in other specialty areas in the future while continuing to develop their technology in-house, right here in New Hampshire.”
For more information about M2S, visit www.m2s.com.
“Innovation Rocks!” is an initiative sponsored by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center in coordination with Rock 101 (WGIR-FM) to celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of New Hampshire innovators.
Tags: Business Resource Center, Chris Way, Greg Lange, Innovation Rocks!, M2S, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, Rock 101, WGIR-FM
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Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
Today’s major construction projects often involve team members from around the world including building and infrastructure architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms, as well as project owners. One forward-thinking Manchester company is ensuring that the numerous teams and individuals working on AEC projects are connected seamlessly and securely to the work processes and project information they need—and in so doing, they’ve won the “Innovation Rocks!” presented by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development for the month of October.
 Newforma, a Manchester, New Hampshire-based company with offices in the UK and Netherlands, was founded in 2003 by a team of seven industry professionals who had decades of experience in software and the AEC field. Their goal: to develop software that architects, engineers, contractors and owners could use to manage project information that has been created by various best-in-class authoring applications and to streamline project process efficiency. The result is the Newforma® Project Information Management (PIM) solution which leverages a company’s existing IT infrastructure, streamlining work processes, improving responsiveness and supporting best practices.
In addition to the core solution, Newforma® Project Center, the firm has created a Newforma® Mobile for mobile web access to project information, as well as a contract and document change management module, a module for project financial and resource management for architectural and engineering project managers and executives, and a module to manage nongraphical information.
“Newforma shows how a relatively young New Hampshire company can have significant market impact,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Chris Way. “It’s only been a little over six years since the First Edition of their Project Center software was put out in limited release, and now Newforma’s software is being used by 49,000 licensed users in 620 companies across 10 countries to manage 650,000 projects. That’s innovation that works.”
For more information about Newforma, visit www.newforma.com.
“Innovation Rocks!” is an initiative sponsored by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development in coordination with Rock 101 (WGIR-FM) to celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of New Hampshire innovators.
Tags: Chris Way, Innovation Rocks!, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, Newforma, Rock 101, WGIR-FM
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Monday, September 19th, 2011
Sometimes finding all the news that’s fit to print isn’t as easy as it seems, especially in an age of information overload. For its ongoing efforts in helping companies monitor their message and analyze how that information is being received, the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development has named CustomScoop its “Innovation Rocks!” award winner for the month of September.
 In the past, when a company wanted to know what was being said about it in the traditional press, the company’s management hired a clipping service, which clipped stories and press releases and provided them to the client—often weeks after the stories ran. In today’s world of social/user-generated media, online and traditional media, companies are often at a loss as to how to monitor their reputation and media coverage, and that of their competitors—or how, once that coverage is gathered, to analyze it so that the intelligence can be used to create a strategic action plan.
That’s where Concord-based CustomScoop, comes in. In the 11 years since CustomScoop was founded, it has been a pioneer in media monitoring. By combining powerful search technology that searches both social media and traditional news media with media measurement and analysis tools, CustomScoop is able to provide comprehensive reporting of the topics and issues important to their client businesses.
While initially developed for public relations professionals, CustomScoop’s clients include those in sales, marketing, investor relations and competitive intelligence. Its services allow companies to know how they’re doing compared to their competition, how effective their messaging is, and what trends are evolving within their industry.
“Most businesses simply don’t have the personnel or the expertise in-house to monitor what’s being said about them in all the different media,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Chris Way. “CustomScoop is set up to be an extension of a company’s communication team. It’s a truly innovative service that can really make a difference for New Hampshire businesses.”
For more information about CustomScoop, visit www.customscoop.com.
Tags: Chris Way, CustomScoop, Innovation Rocks!, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, Rock 101, WGIR-FM
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Friday, May 20th, 2011
In a world where written communication is a key skill in education and business, those who struggle with writing are at a huge disadvantage, whether their struggle is due to disability, attention disorder, or learning or language challenges. Now, thanks to a revolutionary new software from a Dover-based company, virtually anyone can write, edit and proofread with ease.
 To recognize this achievement, the New Hampshire Business Resource Center announced today that goQ Software has been named the May “Innovation Rocks!” award winner for their WordQ and SpeakQ software.
Together WordQ and SpeakQ are the first and only computer-based writing tools that integrate word prediction, speech recognition and spoken feedback. Word prediction helps the user find the correct word and its spelling. Speech recognition allows the user to dictate, while spoken feedback provides enables the user to hear and correct what they have written. In fact, WordQ will read virtually any passage of text the user selects, including text from a web page.
The user new to WordQ chooses a vocabulary from a selection intended for different writing and age levels. Then, over time, as he or she uses new words, the program adds them the vocabulary. Users can also create lists of specialized jargon or technical words and add them to the vocabulary.
The two programs are so intuitive that they are being used by a wide spectrum of people, from primary school and college students to CEOs of major corporations; these individuals may have learning disabilities, ADD or ADHD, autism, limited mobility, aphasia or trauma, or English may be their second language. WordQ is available for Windows XP/Vista/7 and Mac OS X, while the SpeakQ plug-in is available exclusively for Windows XP/Vista/7.
“For many people, having difficulty writing creates anxiety, reduces their ability to perform in school or business, and has a profound effect on their lives,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “This software opens up a whole world of possibilities. As exciting as it is for the parents of a child who can now write, thanks to this assistive technology, it is every bit as important for adults whose difficulties in writing mean they have few employment opportunities. It’s wonderful to see a product that has both a personal and economic impact.”
For more information about goQ Software, visit www.goqsoftware.com.
Tags: goQ, Innovation Rocks!, New Hampshire Business Resource Center, Roy Duddy, SpeakQ, WordQ
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Monday, April 11th, 2011
Landing that first date with the guy or gal of your dreams is now as simple as the point of a cell phone thanks to a creative New Hampshire innovation. Cheaper than a mixed drink and easier than a pick-up line, this is a social messaging function with the ability to change the way we meet, interact and, more importantly, conduct business.
 The New Hampshire Business Resource Center announced today PoKos Communications Corp. has been named the April “Innovation Rocks!” award winner for their breakthrough “Point-and-Chat” software.
“Point-and-Chat” is the first and only software on the market that enables users to point their phone at any other user in sight and send them a message, without inputting any contact information, checking in, or having social network membership.
Once a recipient has been designated (using the phone’s camera), the “Point-and-Chat” app sends them a message saying that someone would like to speak with them. The person receiving the message can choose to respond, ignore it or even block future contact.
“What’s even more impressive than some of the social applications are the ways that businesses can transmit messages at events they’re sponsoring to potential consumers or even reach out to a presenter at a busy conference,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “Rather than simply using an app to push out a coupon, you can start a meaningful conversation or gauge someone’s interest on a particular topic. Point-and-Chat is an incredibly innovative product.”
For more information about PoKos Communications Corp., visit www.pokos.biz.
“Innovation Rocks!” is an initiative sponsored by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center in coordination with Rock 101 (WGIR-FM) and the The Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown to celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of New Hampshire innovators.
Tags: Innovation Rocks!, New Hampshire Business Resource Center, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, PoKos Communications Corp., Rock 101, Roy Duddy, The Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown, WGIR-FM
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Friday, March 18th, 2011
In technology-based markets, time isn’t just money; it’s the enemy. The speed with which a product gets to market can significantly impact its long-term profitability and viability, especially when you’re talking about next-gen commercial wireless, fiber optic telecommunications and military radio frequency/microwave products. The faster a company can develop the needed components—such as the microchips that are an integral part of these products—the sooner the product can reach the market.
 Recognizing that fact, the New Hampshire Business Resource Center has recognized Hollis-based UltraSource with its “Innovation Rocks!” award for the month of March.
Thanks to UltraSource’s innovative new UltraFAST program, no longer will companies have to wait weeks for critical prototypes of ceramic microchips. With UltraFAST, companies can receive prototype microchips in as four to seven days. The process not only cuts a product’s time to market; since the client company can rapidly move from initial prototype to finished design, the long-term repeatability and integrity of the designs is ensured.
UltraSource has devoted an entire team to the creation to the task of creating and implementing this streamlined manufacturing approach. A merchant fabricator, UltraSource makes chips for use in high tech electronic and optical applications including military communications, fiber optic transmission, infrared detection, automotive radar, and specialty medical devices. The company has been so successful at creating prototypes that it is often awarded the contract to manufacture the finished design.
“UltraFAST shows how a 20-year-old company examined its process and came up with a whole new way of doing business that meets the needs of its market,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “As a result, UltraSource is aggressively seeking new employees so that it can expand to meet the needs of its clients. That’s good new for UltraSource and for New Hampshire.”
For more information about UltraSource, visit www.ultrasource.com.
“Innovation Rocks!” is an initiative sponsored by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center in coordination with Rock 101 (WGIR-FM) and the The Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown to celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of New Hampshire innovators.
Tags: Innovation Rocks!, New Hampshire Business Resource Center, Rock 101, Roy Duddy, The Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown, UltraFAST, UltraSource, WGIR-FM
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Thursday, March 3rd, 2011
It’s always nice to see one of our “Innovation Rocks!” winners get recognized on a national scale. In addition to being named a Blue Ribbon Small Business Award winner by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Manchester-based Next Step Orthotics & Prosthetics is also in the running for a Community Excellence Award which will be determined by public online voting. We at the No Bull Business Blog urge all of our followers to vote for Next Step prior to the March 11th deadline date at www.uschambersummit.com. Congrats on making New Hampshire proud Next Step!!
NEXT STEP ORTHOTICS & PROSTHETICS NAMED U.S. CHAMBER AWARD WINNER
Citing the company’s critical role in job creation and economic growth, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today named Manchester, NH-based Next Step Orthotics & Prosthetics a Blue Ribbon Small Business Award winner.
 The "Luke Arm" is just one of Next Step Orthotics & Prosthetics' many accomplishments. “The recipients of this year’s Blue Ribbon Small Business Award are on the forefront of our economic recovery,” U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue said. “Next Step Orthotics & Prosthetics represents our nation’s job creators, and this award recognizes their significant contributions to our economy.”
The Blue Ribbon Small Business Award, sponsored by Sam’s Club, honors businesses that demonstrate excellent business practices in several areas including strategy, employee development, community involvement and customer service.
“We are truly honored to be recognized with such a prestigious award,” said Next Step President and CPO Matt Albuquerque. “This award is testament to the hard work of our dedicated staff and the importance of our mission – to consistently innovate so that our clients may lead happier, active and more fulfilled lives.”
 Next Step President & CPO Matt Albuquerque A privately held company headquartered in Manchester, NH with offices in Newton, MA and Warwick, RI, Next Step Orthotics & Prosthetics provides orthotic and prosthetic devices to clients of all ages – from pediatric to geriatric. The company is practitioner owned and operated, and some staff members are amputees themselves. Known for their innovation, Next Step prosthetists and clinicians work with research facilities and prosthetic manufacturers in developing new prosthetic technologies and components.
This year’s 75 Blue Ribbon winners were selected from a record number of nationwide applicants and will be honored at America’s Small Business Summit 2011 from May 23-25 in Washington, D.C. On March 14, seven of the Blue Ribbon businesses will be announced as award finalists and one will be named the DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year during America’s Small Business Summit. The winner will be presented with a $10,000 cash prize courtesy of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Blue Ribbon businesses are also eligible for the Community Excellence Award decided by online public voting at www.uschambersummit.com. The deadline for the online vote is March 11th.
“We welcome the support of the citizens of New Hampshire as we seek the community excellence designation,” Albuquerque said. “We value our role in being a community partner in the Granite State and would love to ensure that New Hampshire is recognized on a national level for our community engagement.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors and regions as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
Tags: Blue Ribbon Small Business Award, DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year, Innovation Rocks!, Matt Albuquerque, Next Step Orthotics & Prosthetics, No Bull Business Blog, Sam's Club, Thomas J. Donohue, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
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Tuesday, February 15th, 2011
In most areas of the country, creating a “wicked” product is viewed as a negative. In New England, it wins you an award.
 Yes, creating a “wick-it cool” eco-friendly soy candle that burns cleaner and longer than candles created with other types of wax has led to Wick-It Cool Candles being named the “Innovation Rocks!” award winner by the New Hampshire Business Resource Center for the month of February.
Based in Manchester, Wick-It Cool Candles produces 100 percent soy, handmade massage candles. Wick-It Cool Candles are wicked with lead free cotton wicks and poured into recyclable glass jars with dye free candles available for the most eco-conscious consumers.
A member of NH Made, Wick-It Cool Candles’ products are created with soy wax, a renewable resource grown in the U.S. The company uses a unique creative process, which results in candles “unsurpassed for fragrance and presentation.”
“Wick-It Cool Candles is yet another example of a small local company that started as a grain of an idea and blossomed into a fully operating business,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “By creating an innovative product that draws customers from across the U.S. and Canada while preserving the environment, Wick-It has grown and thrived in the Granite State.”
For more information about Wick-It Cool Candles, visit www.wickitcoolcandles.com.
“Innovation Rocks!” is an initiative sponsored by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center in coordination with Rock 101 (WGIR-FM) and the The Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown to celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of New Hampshire innovators.
Tags: Innovation Rocks!, New Hampshire Business Resource Center, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, NH Made, Rock 101, Roy Duddy, The Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown, WGIR-FM, Wick-It Cool Candles
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Monday, January 24th, 2011
Proving that creating an eco friendly line of shoes is a great way to put your best foot forward, Wicked Footwear has been named the “Innovation Rocks!” award winner by the New Hampshire Business Resource Center for the month of January.
 In business since 1997, Wicked Footwear recently introduced a new nature-friendly outdoor “Eco-Fashionable” footwear line offering men two uniquely stylish selections. These multi-purpose shoes use recycled wood pulp creating a trendy comfortable fitting basket weave pattern that allows constant air movement inside the shoes.
Wicked Footwear is cited as the first company to use wood pulp uppers mechanically compressed using non-toxic chemicals. The shoe colors utilize true eco friendly paint. Wicked Footwear shoes are made from carefully selected natural biodegradable materials uppers that are eco friendly with a low carbon footprint.
“Not only are these shoes very cool looking and comfortable, they’re created in a very eco-friendly way,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “Wicked Footwear is a great example of a New Hampshire company that has an eye toward creating great products while still preserving the environment.”
For more information about Wicked Footwear, visit www.wickedhemp.com.
“Innovation Rocks!” is an initiative sponsored by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center in coordination with Rock 101 (WGIR-FM) and the The Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown to celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of New Hampshire innovators.
Tags: Innovation Rocks!, New Hampshire Business Resource Center, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, Roy Duddy, Wicked Footwear, Wicked Hemp
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Monday, August 16th, 2010
A new thermoplastic seal for the automotive industry has led to Hutchinson Sealing Systems being named the “Innovation Rocks!” award winner by the New Hampshire Business Resource Center for the month of August.
 The seal, which replaces conventional rubber and steel composite seals, stops water and dust intrusion while sealing automobile glass. In addition, it leads to a quieter car ride by helping to manage wind noise.
The all thermoplastic seal is completely recyclable, lighter in weight than conventional rubber and steel composite seals and is also more aesthetically pleasing.
“The thermoplastic seal developed by Hutchinson is a great advancement not only for the automotive industry but also for use in the industrial and aerospace industries,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “This type of technology that transcends multiple industries and has wide application is a great example of the incredible innovation and creativity of companies in the Granite State.”
For more information about Hutchinson Sealing Systems, Inc., visit www.hutchinsonworldwide.com.
“Innovation Rocks!” is an initiative sponsored by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center in coordination with Rock 101 (WGIR-FM) and the The Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown to celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of New Hampshire innovators.
Tags: Hutchinson Sealing Systems Inc., Innovation Rocks!, New Hampshire Business Resource Center, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown, Rock 101, Roy Duddy, WGIR-FM
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