17 Companies Accepted During 1st-Round Vetting For Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference

In its selection committee’s first round, the Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference (RMLIC) has chosen 17 of thirty regional companies to showcase their technologies on Thursday, September 17th at the Ritz Carlton in Denver. The announcement is made by John Collar, President & CEO of the Colorado Bioscience Association (CBSA), whose organization is co-hosting the inaugural event with the Arizona BioIndustry Organization (AZBio), along with regional industry partners in Montana, Utah, and New Mexico.

Companies selected in first-round vetting for the RMLIC include:

* Apoplogic - Aurora, CO
* BioAmps - Aurora, CO
* BioDesix - Broomfield, CO
* BiOptix - Boulder, CO
* Coherex – Salt Lake City, UT
* GlobeImmune - Louisville, CO
* High Throughput Genomics - Tucson, AZ
* Inviragen - Fort Collins, CO
* Kinetic Muscles - Tempe, AZ
* Lineagen - Salt Lake City, UT
* Medivance - Louisville, CO
* miRagen - Boulder, CO
* Myocept -Lafayette, CO
* Regenesis - Scottsdale, AZ
* ThermImage - Salt Lake City, UT
* ValvExchange - Aurora, CO
* Vital Access - Salt Lake City, UT

Link to the Business Wire release

From the UK - NewNet Profile: Colorado Cleantech Industry Association

"Christine Shapard, the executive director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association discusses why private investment is crucial in pushing cleantech forward, the effects of a new Administration and the potential impact to the industry of stimulus funding. . .

. . .‘Our aim is to make Colorado the epicentre of the cleantech industry in the US and the world. We are focused on making sure that companies grow in Colorado, so we are trying to build the business environment companies need to grow their operations and get their products out into the market place. There are currently more than 300 cleantech businesses operating in the area and we are home to the nation’s national laboratory devoted to renewable energy. We work very closely with the state legislature and lobby in Washington DC on behalf of the industry. In addition, we work alongside the Governor to ensure that companies are being heard and receiving adequate awareness.'"

Link to the Q&A with Chris Shapard about CCIA

Building a Successful Biotech Incubator: Proximity to Academic Hubs and Capital Remains a Crucial Factor in Hatching a Thriving Cluster

Gail Dutton included these quotes about Colorado in her July 1st feature in Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News:

Colorado is succeeding in this endeavor. Since committing the state to bioscience in 2003, bioscience investments through 2008 totaled $1.3 billion, ranking Colorado number 11 in the U.S. for bioscience venture capital investments, according to the just-released Colorado BioScience Association study. This was accomplished through state funding for proof-of-concept activities and through proceedings to strengthen bioscience infrastructure with increased university competency and business networks.

In 2003, Colorado decided to make the biosciences a key driver of the state’s future economy. Since then, its universities have increased bioscience research capabilities and added classes to support biosciences. Colorado is capitalizing on its strengths in medical devices by expanding the biotechnology sales and use tax credit to medical-device companies, maintaining a dedicated bioscience staff for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and making a long-term commitment by funding ongoing development projects, including medical campuses, technology parks, and superclusters. A Biosciences Executive Corps also has been created to mentor start-up companies, along with entrepreneurial support networks.

Link to the article

ColoradoBiz TV's Mike Cote Interviews Gov. Bill Ritter at the CCIA Launch

At the launch of the new Colorado Cleantech Industry Association on July 23, Gov. Bill Ritter talks about the significance of “clean tech” and renewable energy in Colorado and how the industry can contribute to job creation. Read more about Colorado’s ‘New Energy Economy’ here.

Link to the ColoradoBiz TV "Executive Edge" Interview

Link to Cote’s Colorado: Colorado clean tech goes to Washington

CCIA Launches Among Luminaries at the Governor’s Mansion

"On Thursday afternoon a dense collection of Colorado luminaries gathered at the Governor’s mansion to celebrate the launch of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) under the leadership of Executive Director Christine Shapard.

The mission of the association is to provide representation and advocacy, a unified voice, relevant programming and capacity development to the clean technology industry taking shape within the state. Shapard, who began building the new organization after a successful leadership role at the Colorado BioScience Association, noted CCIA’s 'dedication to making Colorado a world leader' in clean technology and cited its strong backing by ninety member companies, including Xcel Energy, Google, and Silicon Valley Bank."

Link to the Rocky Radar Report

Cleantech Trade Group Launches To Start-Up Acclaim

"Of the politicians, businesspeople, and academics who gathered at the governor’s mansion on July 23, the most relieved by far had to be Chris Shapard, executive director of the brand-new Colorado Cleantech Industry Organization. . .

First conceived nearly a year ago, the CCIA seemed at first like a slam dunk: 'When we first starting raising money back in September, everyone said, no problem! As the world economy came to a screeching halt, the road got tougher: some of the trade organization’s members are “on a payment plan,' Shapard said, but the CCIA, formed to lead and catalyze the renewable-energy industry at the heart of Colorado’s New Energy Economy, is now off the drawing board with more than 80 members and strong support from the Governor’s Energy Office, the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory."

Read Richard Martin's Report

New Colorado Cleantech Industry Association announced

On July 23, during launch festivities at the Governor's Mansion, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced formation of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA). The announcement was made together with Christine Shapard, founding Executive Director of the CCIA who said, "The CCIA is the only industry-led, industry-focused cleantech group in the state created to solidify Colorado's position as the nation's cleantech leader, new energy economy driver and technology innovator. We are one of only four cleantech business associations in the country."

Link to the MetroDenver News Center

Colorado Cleantech Industry Association Officially Launched

Gov. Bill Ritter, D-Colo., has created the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) with industry executives.

"The CCIA is the only industry-led, industry-focused cleantech group in the state created to solidify Colorado's position as the nation's cleantech leader, new energy economy driver and technology innovator," says Christine Shapard, founding executive director of the CCIA. "We are one of only four cleantech business associations in the country."

Link to the posting

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter & Industry Leaders Announce Formation of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association

DENVER, July 24 -- Yesterday, during launch festivities at the Governor’s Mansion, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced formation of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA).

The announcement was made together with Christine Shapard, founding Executive Director of the CCIA who said, “The CCIA is the only industry-led, industry-focused cleantech group in the state created to solidify Colorado’s position as the nation’s cleantech leader, new energy economy driver and technology innovator. We are one of only four cleantech business associations in the country.”

Link to NewsReleaseWire for the launch event release

9News Covers CCIA Launch - Cleantech: 'The only industry hiring right now'

"DENVER - The fastest-growing industry in Colorado might be the "only industry that's hiring right now," according to the executive director of a trade association formed to maximize its potential.

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association was officially launched at an event inside the Governor's Mansion on Thursday to celebrate the 300 companies who have already hired roughly 20,000 workers and brought in more than $300 million in venture capital last year alone.

'In my years of economic development, I see this as having more potential than the IT sector did,' said Chris Shapard, who runs the new trade group that lists Colorado's traditional energy companies, its research institutions, renewable technology leaders and state offices as its members. 'The passion that I've seen here is incredible. The drive, the energy, no pun intended, is much more than other sectors that I've seen.'"

Link to 9News coverage of the CCIA launch by Adam Schrager

Baxa Launches Enhanced Online Product Content

Baxa Corporation announces the launch of new interactive functionality to its Web site product pages that enables a 360-degree view and enhanced content. With this new feature, users can zoom in to see high-resolution product photos and, on key products, a 360-degree view.

Baxa Corporation markets and sells medical devices for use in health-system pharmacies and for patient care. Its OEM group provides specialty products for packaging with prescription pharmaceuticals. For more information about Baxa, or to demonstrate the new Web site features, visit http://tiny.cc/UleLk

Link to the PR Newswire announcement

U.S. Pharmacopeia Hosts "Aseptic Processing and Compliance Tools for USP <797>" at Baxa Corp STAR Center

Conducted in association with the Star Center, This two-day course, is designed to provide practical experience to successfully implemented USP <797> requirements in a healthcare settings. Participants will earn 21 hours of CE credit, including one (1) hour of law credit. Pharmacists, technicians and other persons involved in facility/clean room design or environmental controls will benefit from taking this course.

Link to the USP course overview

Link to the Baxa STAR Center

Denver Post: New, bigger homes take hold in Wellshire

"The thriving area in southeast Denver has a small-town feel."

Today's Denver Post featured the Wellshire neighborhood, where Holben Homes has two new homes for sale.

Quote from the article by Christain Toto: "Stephen Holben, president and owner of Denver-based Holben Building Corp., said Wellshire homes appreciated 5.3 percent last year and dozens of homes and townhouses are in various stages of planning or completion."

Link to the article

Link to the Holben Homes website

"Effectively Using PR To Turn Up The Volume On Your Brand" Now Posted At Experts.com

My "Effectively Using PR To Turn Up The Volume On Your Brand" article is now posted at the Experts.com resources center.

Link to the article

Link to my Experts.com profile page

Colorado Boasts Three Markets in the Milken Institute's North American High Tech Top 50

A new study from the Milken Institute shows three Colorado MSAs ranking in the top 50 of the "North America High Tech Economy: The Geography of Knowledge Based Industries Ranking." Link to support data per market:


Denver-Aurora, CO (MSA)

Boulder, CO (MSA)

Colorado Springs, CO (MSA)


The full report and executive summary of North America's High-Tech Economy: The Geography of Knowledge-Based Industries is available for free download after registration at http://www.milkeninstitute.org/nahightech/nahightech.taf.

Bioscience Colorado Magazine 2009-10, Now Available

Welcome to the 2009-2010 edition of Bioscience Colorado brought to you by the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA).

Bioscience Colorado is the only in-depth guide and directory to the bioscience industry in the state, and is distributed nationally and internationally by the CBSA, research institutions and economic development offices. The new magazine, includes articles showcasing Colorado companies, the history of Colorado bioscience industry, Colorado's global bioscience outreach and an overview of Colorado's broad welcome mat for bioscience startups.

The updated bioscience directory provides the most current listing of medical device, biotechnology, biofuels and pharmaceutical companies in Colorado. The directory also provides a comprehensive listing of service providers for the industry that are recommended by the Association.

Link to new issue