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Tech 50 Awards PreNominations Underway

Posted on by Jonathan Kersting

Do you know of a business that epitomizes the role that Pittsburgh’s innovation economy is playing in the region and in the world?  Please consider nominating that business as part of this year’s Pre-Call for Tech 50 Awards nominations.

This year, the Pittsburgh Technology Council has made major changes to both the nominations and the judging process.

As a key priority for this year’s Tech 50, we are looking to honor businesses that are creating the biggest economic impact in our region, but who are also using innovation to solve big problems. As such, past requirements for businesses to submit financial data are being lifted in favor of a more open process.

We need your help in identifying businesses to showcase as part of this year’s Tech 50. This year’s Awards will be held on October 10th.

For the first time ever, we are having a Tech 50 Pre-Call for nominations.  We encourage everyone to fill out THIS FORM and email to Michele Greenway atmgreenway@pghtech.org. The deadline for the Pre-Call is May 31.   Nominations will begin on June 3.


Why Nominate?

We encourage all tech companies to enter a nomination. Not a tech company? Nominate a client or business associate. Tech 50 has competitive categories no matter a company’s size or industry niche. Here are this year’s categories:

Solution Provider of the Year
The finalists in this category assist companies with the integration and adoption of technologies that support their operations, improve their custom­er experience, and ultimately improve the production of an organization. Among examples of qualified businesses include integrators and hardware producers/distributors. Companies will be evaluated on growth and the impact of their products or services.

Advanced Manufacturing Company of the Year
These companies manufacture advanced components and products for use in all industries. This category is also for companies employing leading-edge technologies throughout their manufacturing processes.

Innovator of the Year
These companies have developed unique technologies and solutions that have the potential of changing global marketplaces and to generate sub­stantial regional economic impact. Companies can be from any core technology cluster (health care, advanced manufacturing, information technology, energy, creative technology etc.) Companies can be any size in revenue or employee count.

Tech Titan of the Year
This category is designed for companies generating more than $50 million in revenue. These businesses span the fields of manufacturing, life sciences, green technology and information technology but are recognized in their own category as regional leaders in revenue generation.

Life Sciences Company of the Year
Life Sciences category companies improve our health and environment. Candidates deliver medical equipment; pharmaceuticals; health services; and biomedical, agricultural and environmental products and services.

Start-Up of the Year
Start-Up of the Year candidates are the future of southwestern Pennsylvania. Burgeoning entrepreneurial firms no more than five years old are eligible. Entrants should offer innovative products or unique services and show promise of becoming major economic forces.

Interactive and Application Developer of the Year
This category is open to any company that develops or designs applications, web design, software, branding, games, media production and/or social media as part of their business.

CEO of the Year
These are the people in the corner office who everyone looks to for direction. Entrants should be CEOs of tech companies in any cluster who make sub­stantial contributions to company performance and demonstrate outstanding leadership and high levels of peer esteem.
Nominations will be open on June 3 and it is easier than ever to participate!

We have streamlined the nomination process. One quick application gets the ball rolling. So why not nominate two or three deserving companies?

 

Benefits

There are so many benefits of submitting a nomination.  If you’re selected as a finalist you’ll enjoy:

  • Pre and post-event media coverage in TEQ, TechVibe Radio, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and more
  • Networking with more than 600 top tech execs/stakeholders
  • Presentation booth at Tech 50 Showcase of Innovation
  • Time to celebrate your achievements

Thank you for nominating and save the date for Tech 50!

Pepro introduces the Hybrid MicroSite mobile radio site

Posted on by theprossman
PEPRO LLC

PEPRO LLC

Pepro LLC, the leading manufacturer of shielded enclosure systems for stationary and mobile applications, is introducing the new Hybrid MicroSite radio site at CTIA in Las Vegas. The new site includes a two-bay shelter with 54 units of rack space protected by patented Faraday cage technology, a 20-foot tower and a trailer dismount system that can install the site for long-term use without disturbing the enclosed equipment.

The site includes three solar panels, batteries and DC-generator to power the site for months without fuel service. The Hybrid MicroSite is the second hybrid site launched this year by Pepro, joining the Hybrid Scout announced in March.

“Extreme weather events over the past year reinforced everyone’s awareness of the need for communications sites that withstand unpredictable circumstances,” said Kelly Lander, president of Pepro, LLC. “Pepro sites have always offered reliable protection against the elements, and the new Hybrid MicroSite goes a step further to protect against service interruption due to inaccessibility. It can serve as a long-term solution for remote locations or stand at the ready to be deployed in emergencies for as long as it’s needed without concerns about fuel service.”

The Hybrid MicroSite provides months of service without refueling, depending on factors such as available sunlight and the power needs of the equipment on site. Its unique trailer dismount system keeps the shelter level, giving one person the ability to set the enclosure in place without extensive training. These convenience factors make the Hybrid MicroSite especially useful in hard to reach locations where shipping in trained teams or fuel is inefficient or hard to schedule.

Pepro has provided shielded enclosures based on its patented Faraday cage technology for more than 20 years without a single loss of protected equipment. Every Pepro shelter meets rigorous standards, sustaining a one million volt, 87,000 amp direct strike with less than ten micro joules entering enclosure.

About Pepro

Pepro, LLC (www.peprollc.com) is the leading manufacturer of shielded enclosure systems for stationary and mobile applications. The company has provided state-of-the-art deployable radio sites without loss or failure since the company’s founding in 1992, a record of reliability attributable, in part, to a patented Faraday cage system to protect from lightning strikes, electromagnetic pulses (EMP), electromagnetic interferences (EMI), and radio frequency interferences (RFI). Pepro provides services to public utilities & public safety offices, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Homeland Security, states & local governments, Motorola and other organizations requiring a secure enclosure for sensitive electronic, computer, and radio equipment. Pepro, LLC is a veteran-owned, small business located in Oil City, Pennsylvania. Pepro products qualify for 8a, American Indian, and Woman-Owned Small Business contracting through a Master Service Agreement with Northwind Engineering, LLC.

PPG donates $50,000 to Math & Science Collaborative

Posted on by theprossman

 

PPG Industries Foundation

PPG Industries Foundation

The PPG Industries Foundation has donated $50,000 to the Math & Science Collaborative (MSC), a program operated by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit that helps K-12 educators gain a better understanding of how mathematical and scientific practices are used in the workplace.

“We are grateful for support from PPG and the PPG Industries Foundation in continuing to provide opportunities that strengthen the teaching and learning of math and science,” said Nancy Bunt, program director of the Math & Science Collaborative. “It is an example of how Southwestern Pennsylvania can work together to better prepare all students to fully participate in the future as mathematically and scientifically literate citizens.”

Under MSC direction, teachers and administrators from three Southwestern Pennsylvania school districts visited a PPG Industries facility and local sites of two other companies to observe how educational standards for math and science relate to actual workplace activities, and to learn how they can make teaching in their schools more applicable to real-world practices.

According to Bunt, the MSC coordinates efforts and focuses resources through innovative, evidence-based, regional approaches to the teaching and learning of math and science from preschool through college. The MSC Steering Council is comprised of representatives from school districts, nonprofit organizations, higher-education institutions, corporations and other stakeholders committed to strengthening the teaching and learning of mathematics and science.

“PPG is strongly committed to supporting the communities where its employees work and live, especially through educational programs that emphasize the importance of the STEM disciplines,” said Mehran Arbab, PPG director of glass science and technology and a member of the MSC Steering Council. “By collaborating with educators on such science, technology, engineering and math initiatives, PPG can help prepare tomorrow’s leaders in STEM-related careers that will be essential to advancing U.S. and global industries.”

Established in 1951, the PPG Industries Foundation demonstrates the values of PPG Industries by enhancing the quality of life in communities where the company has a presence. Interests of the foundation, in order of priority, are education, human services, culture and arts, and civic and community affairs. PPG also supports charitable causes by encouraging employees’ volunteerism and board service with nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.ppgfoundation.com.

 

About the Math & Science Collaborative

The Math & Science Collaborative (MSC) is Southwestern Pennsylvania’s regional approach to strengthening math and science education for all students from preschool through university by coordinating efforts and focusing resources. Founded in 1994 at Carnegie Science Center, it now includes more than 135 public and non-public schools in 11 counties. The MSC has been led by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit since 2002 and is supported by federal and state grants as well as local foundations. For more information, visit www.aiu3.net/Level2.aspx?id=440.

PPG: BRINGING INNOVATION TO THE SURFACE.

PPG Industries’ vision is to continue to be the world’s leading coatings and specialty products company. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in nearly 70 countries around the world. Sales in 2012 were $15.2 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.

Bringing innovation to the surface is a trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

SMI Announces Appointment of Chris Gormley as Chief Executive Officer

Posted on by Jonathan Kersting
Chris Gromley

Chris Gromley

SMI announced that its board of directors has unanimously elected Chris Gormley as Chief Executive Officer.   Gormley brings extensive social media, cloud, and big data marketing, operations, and development experience to the company.

SMI is a Pittsburgh-based tech company that collects and deciphers publicly available information on social media and open Internet sites for clients to use for anything from pre-employment background checks to due diligence on global alternative investments.

Chris Randall, co-founder and leader of the CEO search committee said, “We are pleased to have someone of Chris Gormley’s talent and technology experience to take the CEO role at SMI.    He uniquely blends big data, social media, and cloud software experience.   He knows what it takes to build a large, sustainable software and services company.”

Gormley said, “I am deeply honored and thrilled to join and to lead the SMI team, expanding on the product and core customers they have already established.”

Gormley is an experienced technology director playing an executive role in his fifth early stage software technology company.  His prior experience includes VP Product Management at FreeMarkets – which went public in 1999 and sold to Ariba in 2004, Chief Operating Officer at Tiversa, VP Marketing & Strategy at Haley Systems – later sold to Oracle, Omnyx /GE Healthcare, GE Plastics, and international management consulting firm McKinsey and Company.    Mr. Gormley holds an M.B.A. in Finance and Strategy from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

SMI is expanding rapidly, serving several hundreds of users in 15 different countries including one of the world’s largest asset management companies.   The company offers three types of fully automated, customizable search and analysis products: Eploy™ Solution for pre-employment screening, Egle™ Solution for legal research and investment diligence, and Social Fingerprint™ Solution for personal reputation management.

Gormley expects SMI to grow much larger.

“We are quickly adding to our core software development and commercial teams including Internet search and data analytics.   We see strong demand across employment, investigation, competitive intelligence, sourcing and supply chain management, and legal markets.    Professionals in these markets want a set-and-forget way of searching for publicly available social media and internet information that doesn’t involve endless commercial search engine use, IT or complicated ‘big data’ projects.   SMI makes finding information easy and contextually relevant to their professional use.”

Gormley succeeds co-founder Chris Randall as CEO of SMI.   Mr. Randall remains as a member of the Board and will continue to be actively involved in the company.

C-leveled Acquired FINTEL LLC, a leading provider of Data Services and Business Intelligence Solutions

Posted on by theprossman

 

C-leveled

C-leveled

C-leveled announced today that it acquired FINTEL LLC, a privately held company located in Madison, Wisconsin. Founded in 1999, FINTEL offers comprehensive data analytics, business intelligence and industry benchmarking.  FINTEL has a successful history of leading clients to better business decisions by unlocking the insights contained in their proprietary data set, the largest and most reliable financial benchmarking database of privately held companies.

C-leveled provides companies with the tools, services and assistance required to launch, develop and grow their businesses.   With a bench consisting of serial entrepreneurs, C-leveled breaks through limiting barriers faced by  startups and small businesses by delivering executive-level strategies, tactical tools, practical assistance and operational life cycle services.  “We have assembled the depth of talent that comes with decades of entrepreneurial experience.  With our acquisition of FINTEL, C-leveled will offer a new and powerful toolset to further enhance our services for the business community. At its core, C-leveled is entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs to prosper under the new rules of business engagement,” said Denise DeSimone, CEO, C-leveled.

FINTEL analytics provide a broad range of benchmarking and analytical tools to pinpoint problem areas, and provide diagnostics for improving performance. Examples of the capabilities are:  FINTEL Industry Metrics (FIM) reports is an analytics tool that offers unique and powerful insights into the financial profiles and performances of privately held companies operating across almost all industries; the FINTEL Business Scorecard (FBS) tool provides companies with a simple, quick and insightful snapshot of Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) in comparison with industry peers and competitors; the FINTEL Business Analyzer (FBA) is a full package suite offering access to FIM & FBS, along with a range of analytical modules with interactive “what-if” financial modeling to improve KPIs.

HONCHO, the C-leveled business analytics and intelligence site, will offer a dynamic community for entrepreneurs to connect, share ideas and advice, and provide tools that every business can utilize to improve performance. This entire suite of FINTEL tools is being integrated into HONCHO. HONCHO will provide companies the actionable insight into their operating performance with unparalleled competitive analytics and a robust knowledge base of tools, technology and recommendations to improve performance.

Boris Nenide, Co-Founder of FINTEL, will join C-leveled as Chief Technology Officer and Board Member.  “Boris provides unmatched advisory capabilities to his clients and to us, and we are very excited to have him as a member of C-leveled,” said DeSimone.

“FINTEL has worked for over a decade consulting for small and medium-sized businesses and teaching entrepreneurs how to navigate through competitive marketplaces,” said Nenide.  “We look forward to joining C-leveled to develop and launch great concepts for clients.”

About FINTEL

FINTEL was founded in 1999 by Boris Nenide and Dr. Robert W. Pricer and is a leading provider of data services and business intelligence solutions.  FINTEL has developed a suite of Web-based tools that combine powerful techniques of financial analysis developed by Dr. Pricer, with industry benchmarking powered by the largest and most reliable database of financial information of privately held companies from North America.

About C-leveled

C-leveled, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, is a leading provider of entrepreneur services and subscription-based software tools that help businesses to launch, develop and grow their business.  C-leveled addresses the business challenges faced by start-ups, growth initiatives for established companies and funding and exit strategies for entrepreneurs.