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M2S Named December “Innovation Rocks!” Winner

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.

Liquid Health Named November “Innovation Rocks!” Award Winner

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

Functional beverages—beverages that are designed to provide health benefits that go beyond general nutrition—are the fastest-growing category in the nutrition industry. Liquid Health, a Deerfield, New Hampshire-based company has brought a new twist to this market with the PowerCap, a two-piece bottlecap with a storage chamber that keeps nutritional supplements and additives stable and fresh. When the consumer twists or pushes the cap, these ingredients are infused into a consumable liquid, such as water. This allows beverages companies to work with ingredients they cannot work with in standard ready-to-drink functional beverages.

In recognition of this innovative technology, Liquid Health has won the Innovation Rocks! Award from the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development and Rock 101 (WGIR-FM) for the month of November.

With the PowerCap, there is no need to heat the bottles when filling during manufacturing. This results in a lower energy cost since each hot-fill bottle uses approximately half a kilowatt hour more than a PowerCap bottle—which is equal to running a small window unit air condition for an hour. With hundreds of millions of beverage bottles used each year, conversion to PowerCap by even some of the functional beverage industry would significantly reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. Cold-filled bottles also are lighter and use less plastic, and require less energy to make.

Storing the ingredients in the cap results in extended shelf life for the beverage, since ingredients are only released when the consumer opens the cap. This is especially important with ingredients like probiotics, which have a very short shelf life once they’ve been introduced into a liquid.
“It’s so exciting to see relatively young New Hampshire company develop a product line that is innovative and ‘green,’” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Chris Way. “The PowerCap is already being used by Last Shot, Nutrelle, VitaHydrate and Fresh Healthy Stuff.”

Liquid Health, which was founded in 2002, is located in the abi Innovation HUB, home to many of Manchester’s most innovative start-up companies. For more information about Power Caps, visit www.mypowercap.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.

Newforma Named October “Innovation Rocks!” Award Winner

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.

CustomScoop Named September “Innovation Rocks!” Winner

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.

FreePriceAlerts.com Named August “Innovation Rocks!” Award Winner

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

As consumers tighten their belts in this tough economy, finding the best online price becomes an imperative. A New Hampshire entrepreneur has met the challenge by developing a free plug-in for the web or mobile apps that installs instantly and enables consumers to find the best possible price.

To recognize this achievement, the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development announced today that MyVBO has been named August “Innovation Rocks!” award winner for FreePrice Alerts’ free plug-in that was developed as one of several apps offered in a suite through MyVBO and the website FreePriceAlerts.com.

Using the app is simple. Users start shopping the way they always do on sites like Amazon, Overstock, Walmart and others. If the product they’re looking at is offered at a better price elsewhere, FreePriceAlert pops up with details on the savings and a link to where the item can be purchased at a better price. The app also offers consumers the ability to set a price alert for a particular item, and when the item hits that price, they will be notified by e-mail or through a mobile app. 

MyVBO Owner Bob Wilkins, who spent more than a decade as executive vice president of PC Connection, has started five companies during his career, which has been primarily in the technology and reseller industry. Wilkins has three pending patents on the FreePriceAlerts, and affiliate agreements with numerous vendors, which enable his company to receive revenue on every sale in which the consumer uses the price alert to make a purchase through a participating vendor. 

“Already tens of thousands of people are using the FreePriceAlerts app and saving money,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher. “It’s exciting that a New Hampshire company has been able to develop a truly innovative product and offer it for free to consumers, while creating a solid, income-producing business model.”

For more information about the free application, visit www.FreePriceAlerts.com. For more on MyVBO (My Virtual Business Office), visit www.myvbo.com.

“Innovation Rocks!” is an initiative to celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of New Hampshire innovators. The program is sponsored by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development in coordination with Rock 101 (WGIR-FM). For more information, visit www.nheconomy.com.

PoKos Named April “Innovation Rocks!” Award Winner

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.

pokosThe 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.

UltraSource Named March “Innovation Rocks!” Award Winner

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.

ultrasourceRecognizing 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.

Wick-It Cool Candles Named February “Innovation Rocks!” Award Winner

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.

wick-it-cool-candlesYes, 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.

Globe Manufacturing Named December “Innovation Rocks!” Winner

Monday, December 13th, 2010

A dynamic new bodyworn electronics system for firefighters and first responders has led to Globe Manufacturing being named the “Innovation Rocks!” award winner by the New Hampshire Business Resource Center for the month of December.

Globe Manufacturing, the nation’s largest manufacturer of firefighter suits and emergency responder gear, recently teamed with Zephyr Technology Corporation and TRX Systems to develop an electronics system that helps firefighters and first responders to answer the questions “Where am I?” and “How am I?” The new system will utilize a unified graphical user interface in flame resistant base-layer shirts for monitoring both physiology and location/tracking.

globe-logo1Beta field-testing of the new Globe system, that is expected to be immediately useful for Workplace Assessment, Training, Rehab, Incident Command, HazMat, SWAT and RIT operations, will start in early 2011 with commercial deployment slated for early 2012.

“Globe Manufacturing, has once again developed a product that will save lives and improve the operations of those we trust to protect us,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “Their continued ingenuity is the hallmark of their business and they continue to prove that when it comes to innovation and creativity, they are tops in their industry.”

For more information about Globe Manufacturing Company, visit www.globefiresuits.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.

Dirt Doctors Named November “Innovation Rocks!” Winner

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

It’s a dirty job, but for doing it well, Dirt Doctors has been named the “Innovation Rocks!” award winner by the New Hampshire Business Resource Center for the month of November.

dirt-doctors2Dirt Doctors, a landscaping material and services company, was recognized for its exemplary efforts in wood recycling/composting. Since 1989, the company’s 31 acre wholesale recycling facility has been state and federally approved to perform composting and wholesale/retail mulch production and distribution.

Dirt Doctors accepts clean wood, brush and yard waste for free from state, federal and local businesses as well as homeowners. It composts all yard waste into organic compost, plant bed mix and ultimate planting mix, making some of the finest soils in the Granite State.

Raw products are checked at the company’s scale house for contaminants or non-organic content at which point they’re added to the composting stream for future use as compost or planting mixes. Wood waste is stored and processed into mulch or bio fuels.

“This type of recycling is a model practice worthy of emulation by any community or state,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “By turning these raw materials into planting mix and bio fuels, Dirt Doctors has demonstrated that utilizing sustainable practices makes good business sense as well as good environmental sense.”

For more information about Dirt Doctors, visit www.dirtdoctorsnh.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.