INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The founding members and board of directors of the Research Coast Principium Foundation have announced the top eleven semi-finalists competing in the 2nd Annual Research Coast Business Plan Competition.
The event will be held Thursday morning, March 6 in the Wolf High Technology Center at the Susan H. Johnson Auditorium of Indian River State College’s Chastain Campus in Stuart, Florida.
Through the Business Plan Competition, the 501 C-3 Foundation seeks to bring together all the relevant elements of the Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties in support of business development and by creating jobs on the Research Coast.
The top 11 semi-finalists are: three from Indian River County (including Cyclo-Ocean, Orange LLC and Cross-Core Technology); three from St. Lucie (including Venergy Group LLC, DV8 Sports and Multaply ASAP); and five from Martin County (including Green Wing Group, Hurrishut, Outlier Yachts, The Florida Animal Career and Training School and Research and Teaching Hospital and ITS Fiber, LLC.
Please note that Multaply ASAP, DV8 Sports and HurriShut are clients of the IRSC Business Incubator.
The Indian River County semi-finalists are:
Cyclo-Ocean – is focused on renewable electrical power generation using the vast, untapped energy available from canals, rivers, tides and ocean currents (such as the Gulf Stream) all over the world. There are significant opportunities for power generation from currents that flow close to populations where unutilized power could be provided at a low-cost, clean form of energy to produce electricity on a 24/7 basis. Cyclo-Ocean technology addresses the environmental challenges using a simple anchoring system as opposed to costly moored or tripod systems that require long permitting and expensive barges and cranes for installation and service. Our positive displacement generators are towed to sites then anchored and ballasted to working depths which result in significant savings. www.cycloocean.com Paul Greyshock 772-224-4231.
Orange LLC – ORANGE is a family owned business that provides its customers with the highest quality, all natural, American made products. Included in the ORANGE product line offerings are gourmet food items featuring Florida citrus, a spa line of citrus-infused bath and body products, as well as an ORANGE-inspired fashion and accessory line. One of the ORANGE team’s primary goals is to make the world a better place by improving the environment and quality of life. From the beaches and the Indian River Lagoon, to the groves and farms, and residential communities, the desire is to foster respect for the land from which their products originate. www.very-orange.com Greg Bublitz 772-946-1386.
Cross-Core Technology – is the technology leader in turnkey solutions for companies in the ‘Gift Card’ industry, whose 2014 size is projected to be $275 billion. Founded in 2009, the company completed Beta Testing in 2012, and began production deliveries in 2013, where sales reached $3.9 million, essentially with a breakeven year. Revenues in 2014 are budgeted to increase 50-plus percent. The company has an all-star line-up of industry veterans who bring strong engineering skills and an industry presence as engineering leaders. Moving forward, the company is looking to add financial strengths and logistical managers. There is a clear path to $20 million in annual revenue with industry leading margins. www.cross-core.us Wally Lowe 772-492-9383.
“The business plan competition applicants, of which nearly 30 were received, validate the caliber of companies in our region, confirming the strength of our local business community,” said Foundation board member Michael Corbit, Workforce Solutions Director, Talent Acquisition Unit. “The finalists will be chosen on March 3 with the final five going to the competition on March 6.”
Attendees will receive a complimentary continental breakfast beginning at 8 a.m. followed by the 9 a.m. program which will conclude at noon. The opportunity to network with the experts, attending business mentors and members of the Foundation, as well as the participating businesses, will be held at the conclusion of the event.
Seating is limited; thus early registration is suggested. Admission is complimentary. Please visit www.rcbiznovation.com.
