Application process begins April 16
NEWPORT, Ky. (April 2, 2013) — UpTech, Northern Kentucky’s business accelerator, is looking for entrepreneurs who have “the next big idea to make the world a better place,” for UpTech II. The application process begins April 16, and winners will be announced in July.
Launched in 2012, the intense, six-month accelerator program is designed to attract and accelerate entrepreneurs and act as a catalyst for seeding informatics companies in the region.
“UpTech is seeking entrepreneurs who can benefit from its relationship with Northern Kentucky University’s College of Informatics,” said Amanda Greenwell, UpTech program manager.
UpTech defines informatics as collecting large amounts of data and converting that data into usable information to solve real-world problems. For example, in the world of Health Informatics, there are large amounts of data contained in health records that date back to our birth. Technology is used to aggregate this information into one accessible location. Health informatics focuses on getting the right information to the right person at the right time. Its purpose is to provide healthcare professionals with a patient’s total healthcare picture, so that they can make informed decisions about their treatment.
As Tri-ED, Vision 2015 and Northern Kentucky University (NKU) continue their efforts to build an informatics industry in Northern Kentucky, NKU will continue to support the community’s business start-up effort that began in UpTech I.
“UpTech’s competitive advantage, UpTech’s secret sauce if you will, is the support of NKU, especially the College of Informatics and the College of Business,” said Casey Barach, cofounder, UpTech.
UpTech will work with NKU to engage faculty-guided students who will use their talents to support selected UpTech company projects. This will include student developers from the Center for Applied Informatics as well as applied research students drawn from several programs in the College of Informatics and College of Business, helping these early stage UpTech companies build a business from the ground up.
“Uptech’s mission is to create an informatics industry in our region,” Greenwell said. “We have made several improvements in our UpTech application process, distribution of funding, and support network services and are excited to launch our second round.”
New for UpTech II application process:
♦ Webinar education sessions will be conducted to explain the program and application process. To register for the webinar, please visit www.uptechideas.org.
Webinar dates are:
• Friday, April 5 at noon
• Monday, April 8 at 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 9 at 9 a.m.
• Monday, April 15 at noon
♦ All applications will be submitted online.
♦ The top 20 applicants will participate in a virtual interview.
♦ The top 20 applicants will be coached through a practice pitch session before presenting live to investors.
New for UpTech II distribution of funds:
In year two, UpTech has enhanced its fund distribution process.
1. $20,000 will be available upon acceptance into program.
2. An additional $30,000 will be available and distributed based on mutually agreed success milestones.
3. Follow-on funding is available post UpTech 6 month program.
New for UpTech II Support Network:
UpTech will provide each business with six months of free, premium office space, along with a dedicated team of essential business professionals providing financial, law, accounting, and marketing/public relations support. New to the support network team will be sales support.
Applying for UpTech II
More information on applying for UpTech II can be found on the UpTech website atwww.uptechideas.org. Applications will be available online beginning April 16. The first round applications will be due by May 24, with winners being announced in July 2013.
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