The Accelerator Blog

How Mississippi is atrracting high-tech businesses

2012-01-30T11:14:00.000-08:00

By Amy McCullough, Mississippi Business Journal, Jan 23 2012 edition

"Some new products developed in Hattiesburg sound like science fiction: plastic composite materials that are lighter and tougher than steel, a lotion that neutralizes chemical warefare agengs, a rehydration solution that helps identify finger prints from the deceased, and a makeup that can protect soldier from burns from road side bombs.

But they're all real.

The technology industry in and around the Hub City is continuing to grow as companies are drawn to the University of Southern Mississippi, one of the top three U.S. schools for research in polymer science."

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Skin Decontamination Manufacturer Hosts Open House at Accelerator | Southern Miss Now

2011-10-27T12:47:00.000-07:00

Skin Decontamination Manufacturer Hosts Open House at Accelerator | Southern Miss Now

RSDecon to Demonstrate Products Line as Part of Open House at The Accelerator

2011-10-27T12:43:00.000-07:00

Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion (RSDL®), a breakthrough in medical technology that is already benefitting U.S. military personnel, will be on display during an open house for the RSDecon division of Bracco Diagnostics Inc., on Tuesday, Oct. 25 2011 at The University of Southern Mississippi’s business/science incubator known as The Accelerator.

Headquartered in Princeton, N.J., RSDecon (http://www.rsdecon.com) became an Accelerator tenant in the fall of 2010 and began production shortly thereafter of its patented lotion that neutralizes chemical warfare agents. A soldier using the lotion will realize significantly reduced effects after exposure to chemical warfare.

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Female-owned company launches product

2011-09-01T12:51:00.000-07:00

written by Stephen McDill

Novelty is a bad word. Try unique. That's according to Paige Buchanan, chief technologist for SciGenesis, a small women-owned biotechnology company housed at The Accelerator, a business incubator operated by the University of Southern Mississippi.

...

"A small company in today's market has to be special," Buchanan says. Being a science-based business founded by women is nothing SciGenesis brags about but Buchanan realizes it's a statistical rarity.

"I'm not a feminist," she says. "I think we work hard and we do everything as well as everyone else, better than some and worse than others maybe. Our science isn't any more special because we're females."

With a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Virginia Tech and eight patents under her belt, Buchanan's early work in application-based nanotechnology included using magnetic fields to address macular degeneration and fix detached retinas.

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NASA: Accelerator is 'incredibly valuable'

2011-06-25T18:36:00.000-07:00

June 22, 2011 - NASA awarded a $1 million grant in 2010 to the Mississippi Polymer Institute, located in the Accelerator, that helped it enhance its rapid prototyping capabilities via state-of-the-art laser scanning and 3D printing equipment.

That, in turn, may benefit the space agency as rocket-building becomes increasingly commercialized.

"As we move from NASA being the exclusive provider of rockets to space into that era where commercial companies are 'all in,' so to speak, for USM to have such a place called the Accelerator is going to be incredibly valuable," said Scheuermann, who became director in 2008, "Especially for those companies starting up that may not have a full engine, but they may have a great idea for a turbo pump or turbo blade or something like that.

Full story here

UK Formulation Science Delegation tours Accelerator

2011-05-12T11:44:00.000-07:00

A contingent from the United Kingdom recently visited the National Formulation Science Lab at The University of Southern Mississippi. Pictured are: Darren Ragheb, left, projects and product design manager at Chemistry Innovation; Sunny Corral, executive director of The Accelerator; Dr. Robert Lochhead, chair of the Department of Polymers and High Performance Materials at Southern Miss and Dr. Colin Tattam, projects director at Chemistry Innovation. (Office of University Communications photo by Van Arnold)

An ocean divides the United States and United Kingdom but scientists and researchers in both countries are discovering new ways to create intellectual bridges.

That was never more apparent than during a recent visit by an 18-person contingent from the U.K. to The University of Southern Mississippi’s National Formulation Science Laboratory located in the business and technology incubator known as The Accelerator.

“This is really incredible isn’t it? We just don’t have anything like this in Great Britain to speak of,” said Darren Ragheb, projects and production design manager for Chemistry Innovation. “There is no question that we can learn a lot from touring a facility like this, seeing how formulation science is being tested and applied on a daily basis. And hopefully we can establish some collaboration between the work being done here and similar efforts in the U.K.”

Formulation science has emerged as one of the more innovative conduits for building partnerships that will enhance economic, educational and technical development in countries worldwide. Dr. Robert Lochhead, chair of the Department of Polymers and High Performance at Southern Miss, has taken a lead role in advancing this emerging science.

“Raw materials are not usually useful in their pure state,” said Lochhead. “They must be formulated with other ingredients to make them useful. The fibers in clothing that we wear use formulations; the food we eat often has to be formulated; the paint that we coat everything with has to be formulated as does the plastics we use and even the steel in our cars. So formulation touches our lives many times every day.”

Lochhead noted that U.S. and British groups have been in discussion for several years to advance formulation science and engineering and also to produce and share best practices for educating the modern formulator. These discussions culminated in a Formulation Mission to the United States by a British delegation from May 3-6.

“Our knowledge of the fundamentals of formulation has now advanced to the state that formulation is being recognized as a distinct science,” said Lochhead, who has served as President of the Association of Formulation Chemists. “The Royal Society of Chemistry has acknowledged this fact by creating a group dedicated to the science and engineering of formulation and British universities have developed master’s and doctoral degrees in formulation science and formulation engineering to formally educate bright students for careers in these fields.”

Within the past month, Lochhead teamed with fellow polymer science professors at Southern Miss to formulate an oil dispersant that will prevent spilled oil, like that from the Deepwater Horizon explosion, from sticking to birds. This oil-spill mitigation technology was based upon what scientists knew from the formulation of today’s advanced laundry detergents. He notes that formulation scientists are also working on sophisticated drug delivery system that are designed, for example, to exactly target diseased cells in the body with curative drugs, while leaving the healthy cells untouched.

“The opportunities for innovation and new technology are truly limitless,” said Dr. Colin Tattam, projects director for Chemistry Innovation, who participated in the U.S. visit. “A big part of what we do is help raise the profile of high value manufacturing. And this mission should certainly enable us to do that.”

Read full article here

Hattiesburg's Entreprenerus & Innovators celebrate The Accelerator 1st Birthday

2011-04-09T11:05:00.001-07:00

On April 8th, 2011, Hattiesburg's entrepreneurs and innovators celebrated The Accelerator's first birthday. A fantastic crawfish boil, golf driving competition, and music were part of the festivities to kick off year two. Congrats to all Accelerator companies for your hard work.

View photos

International tenant moves into The Accelerator

2011-01-19T13:02:00.000-08:00

Bracco Diagnostics, a multi-national company with headquarters in Milan, Italy, is the newest tenant in the University of Southern Mississippi’s state-of-the-art science incubator known as The Accelerator.

Bracco’s Healthcare Protective Products Division in Hattiesburg will utilize The Accelerator’s resources to begin manufacturing a lotion that neutralizes chemical warfare agents that can prove hazardous to military personnel. The lotion is already used by the U.S. Department of Defense and most NATO militaries.

“We selected The Accelerator at The University of Southern Mississippi because their expertise and resources will allow us to further the development of new technologies in healthcare protective products,” said Tim Henry, vice-president and general manager of Bracco’s Healthcare Protective Products Division.

For full story:

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20110119/NEWS01/110119017/Multi-national+company+moves+in+to+Southern+Miss++Accelerator

Clean energy company selects Hattiesburg

2011-01-06T15:13:00.000-08:00

Stion announced they are locating their solar-panel manufacturing facility in Hattiesburg. Stion, based in San Jose CA, will create 1,000 jobs with their $75 mil investment.

Full article: http://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/solar-energy-news/stion-to-build-solar-manufacturing-plant-in-mississippi-010611/

Southern Miss and Noetic Technologies winn Innovation Leadership Award

2010-12-15T13:37:00.000-08:00

Jackson, MS - Noetic Technologies, and The University of Southern Mississippi were recently
awarded the John I. Rucker Community Innovation Leadership Award. The honor was
bestowed at the Eleventh Annual Conference on High Technology, hosted by the Mississippi
Technology Alliance.

The Rucker Award is given in recognition of leadership for organizations that are a
government, academic, and private sector partnership. These organizations are recognized
for the development of a strategic innovation-led economic development program focused
on technology, research, entrepreneurship, and capital formation. Noetic and Southern
Miss were awarded based upon the unique model of a private company/academic institution
technology transfer process.

Accepting the award on behalf of Noetic and USM were Kelli Booth, Vice President of
Marketing for Noetic Technologies, and Dr. Denis Wiesenburg, Vice President of Research
at Southern Miss. “We’re honored to receive this award alongside our partner”, said
Booth. “Southern Miss has been our closest strategic ally since 2004, and we look forward
to many more years of partnership”.

Dr. Les Goff, President and CEO of Noetic added “The Noetic/USM partnership
continues to develop and promote a process that supports technology development
and entrepreneurship that meets our customer’s needs" .

Accelerator Grand Opening

2010-09-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

Known simply as The Accelerator, The University of Southern Mississippi’s unique business incubator is providing an enormous boost to start-up companies in the Gulf South region.

“This state-of-the-art facility represents opportunities for students, researchers and companies to take an idea and carry it to its fruition as a useful product or service,” said U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.). “In the end, it is a process – which now has a home in The Accelerator – that can lead to more job creation and economic growth in Mississippi.”

Cochran joined other state and local dignitaries for the official grand opening of The Accelerator held on Friday, Sept. 17 at The Garden, Southern Miss’ innovation and commercialization park.

Officially labeled The National Materials Science Innovation and Commercialization Accelerator, the incubator provides ample space for offices, laboratories and storage; the latest advances in technology and expert guidance for companies attempting to grow a business from the ground up. Currently, the 60,000-square foot Accelerator is operating at approximately 60 percent capacity.

“Throughout our history, Southern Miss has illustrated time and again our willingness to think creatively and act boldly,” said university President Martha Saunders. “The Accelerator stands as a lasting testament to the relentless pursuit of a vision that began as a simple idea more than a decade ago. I believe it is this attitude that makes Southern Miss attractive to entrepreneurs looking for an environment in which they can grow and thrive.”

The Accelerator’s anchor tenants include the following:

· Ablitech, a biotechnology company specializing in Versadel technology under development for curing cancer and other genetic abnormalities.

· Crosslink, a technology leader in Electroactive Polymer Materials focused on providing clients with technically advanced solutions that bring step-change improvements to their products and drive commercial sales.

· KDL Solutions, a professional forensic science company dedicated to providing timely, accurate information to clients.

· Scigenesis, which develops novel, high-performance, stimuli-responsive coatings and film adhesives.

· Mississippi Polymer Institute, which provides workforce development, expert consulting and technical service, produce development, rapid prototyping, pilot manufacturing and product commercialization to Mississippi’s polymer industry members.

· Noetic Technologies, an innovation and commercialization company assisting clients through the multiple phases of technology development, commercialization, process engineering, marketing and business start-ups.

Accelerator Executive Director Sunny Corral said the business incubator is strategically positioned to provide budding companies a blueprint for success in today’s highly competitive marketplace.

“If there is an opportunity to enhance a material’s performance, The University of Southern Mississippi is the place to do it, and The Accelerator is the facility that will equip industrial partners and early-stage companies with the tools required to do this,” said Corral.

http://www.usm.edu/news/article/southern-miss-holds-grand-opening-business-accelerator

Accelerator "nurtures" new businesses

2010-08-02T07:33:00.000-07:00

The cure for cancer could be in the backyard of Hattiesburg residents if Ablitech has anything to do with it.

Founded in 2006, Ablitech's signature product is Versadel, which has the potential to stop cancer and most degenerative diseases through the targeted delivery of genetic material into specific cells.

The company is testing a drug that will target and kill cancer cells but leaves healthy cells unharmed. Lab testing has shown the drug's effectiveness on pancreatic, brain and bladder cancer, CEO Ken Malone said.

"We have very positive results for it in the lab," he said.

The company was created in 2006 by Lisa Kemp, who was then a University of Southern Mississippi polymer science Ph.D. student and Nick Hammond, a Ph.D. candidate in medicinal chemistry at the University of Mississippi. The two were part of an entrepreneurship program.

Ablitech is one of six businesses located in The Accelerator, the first building in Southern Miss' 521-acre industrial and commercialization park on Classic Drive called The Garden.

For full article: http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20108010348

Entrepreneur Magazine names Hattiesburg in "Innovation Nation"

2010-07-24T19:35:00.000-07:00

From Entrepreneur.com,
"Whatever your entrepreneurial aspirations, there's a city to match your needs, accelerate your company's growth and improve your quality of life. Which is the one for you? Entrepreneur identifies 50 cities and 10 lifestyles energizing businesses of all shapes and sizes."

"Hattiesburg, Miss.
The University of Southern Mississippi partnered with the local Area Development Partnership to create the Business Launchpoint incubator to foster small-business development."

http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneur/2010/august/207496.html

Accelerator offers state-of the resources to companies

2010-06-15T12:43:00.000-07:00

WDAM visited The Accelerator on June 3rd to learn about The Accelerator opportunity and meet our companies.

WDAM Accelerator news spot from Christian Corral on Vimeo.

The Accelerator's First Three Months

2010-06-14T20:25:00.001-07:00

http://www.wdam.com/Global/story.asp?S=12645216

Ablitech speaks on NCIIA Entrepreneur panel

2010-03-24T12:26:00.000-07:00

Lisa Kemp, co-founder of Ablitech, an Accelerator tenant, speaks on NCIIA VentureWell panel March 24 in San Francisco as an Entrepreneur.

The Accelerator Opens it's doors

2010-03-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

A rough economic climate isn't stopping Southern Miss from extensively transforming its Hattiesburg campus in 2010.

It starts with the unveiling of two ambitious, multi-year projects. The Accelerator, the first building in Southern Miss's 521-acre industrial and commercialization park on Classic Drive called The Garden, has turned on the lights after nearly a decade on the drawing board.

The building's mission is simple: Rent space to companies with intellectual property in high performance materials, so they can utilize university researchers and facilities to turn that property into marketable products. So far three startup companies and a university corporate partner have signed up to inhabit the building.

The Accelerator is the first of many buildings expected to sprout in The Garden, which has 200 acres of developable land. The Garden is looking at a 10- to 15-year build out and has cost $35 million in federal, state and city dollars, according to Vice President for Research and Economic Development Cecil Burge.

Read the full story

Hattiesburg perfect for business

2010-02-21T11:17:00.000-08:00

Hattiesburg may be near perfect for business start-ups
South Mississippi Business Journal
By MARYAN PELLAND

HATTIESBURG
CNNmoney recognized Hattiesburg as the 9th best place to launch a small business and specifically talked about the work that Business Launchpoint, Hattiesburg’s incubator, did in contributing to this. Locals see multiple reasons Hattiesburg is a nearly ideal place to launch an endeavor.

Business Launchpoint, Hattiesburg’s business service incubator, graduated its third fully fledged self-supporting enterprise in October and will tackle the new year with other entrepreneurs. The graduate, Will’s Way, is a psychiatric counseling center for children.

Established and operated by Dr. Kimberly Bellipanni and Dr. Dannell Roberts, the practice was established less than 18 months ago and is growing. Statistics traditionally indicate small businesses can’t expect to flourish in the first three years.

“The incubator — amazing,” Bellipanni said. “They provided everything from office space, understanding pricing and leasing, to a copy machine and guidance through a marketing plan — how to monitor our growth. By time we moved out, we had an established business, income and a future.”

... read full article here

Construction almost complete

2010-02-01T20:45:00.001-08:00

Final touches are wrapping up on The Accelerator, and we are excited to announce operations will begin in March 2010. Below are a few images.

Hattiesburg ranks #9 in Best Place to Launch a Business

2009-10-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

CNN Money article cited Hattiesburg’s “long-standing tradition of entrepreneurship” as a primary reason for ranking the city in the Top 10 Best Places to Launch a Small Business.

Read full article here: http://money.cnn.com/smallbusiness/best_places_launch/2009/snapshot/142.html

Explore The Accelerator

2009-08-18T08:29:00.000-07:00

The Accelerator is open for site visits. To schedule yours, contact sunny.corral@usm.edu

The Accelerator's world-class laboratories

2009-07-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

Example of how The Accelerator's laboratories will look once construction is complete:

Picture of The Accelerator laboratories under construction: