Two bwtech@UMBC Incubator Companies Named Finalists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 25, 2009

CONTACT:
Deborah Shapiro
Marketing Manager
410-455-1509
dshapiro@umbc.edu

The ACTiVATE® program congratulates 2006 graduate Kris Appel, whose company, Encore Path, was honored at the ninth annual Maryland Incubator Company of the Year (ICOY) Awards on June 16. Encore Path was the winner in the Technology Transfer category.

Appel started her business upon completion of bwtech@UMBC’s year-long ACTiVATE® program, which trains mid-career women with significant business or technical experience to start companies based on technologies licensed from area universities and research institutions. Appel is one of 92 women trained in the program’s first four years. Over 25 companies have been launched by ACTiVATE® graduates. Encore Path develops stroke rehabilitation technologies and recently launched sales of the Tailwind arm rehabilitation device, based on technology licensed from the University of Maryland at Baltimore.

“The ACTiVATE® program provided me with the knowledge and mentoring I needed to start my own business. I am honored that my company is considered among the best early-stage companies in Maryland and I look forward to its continued growth and success,” said Appel.

“This award affirms the value of the ACTiVATE® program in producing successful companies. We congratulate Kris on what she has achieved with her company and have no doubt that Encore Path has a very bright future,” said David Fink, the ACTiVATE® program manager.

Encore Path, is based at the Emerging Technology Center in Baltimore. Two current bwtech@UMBC incubator companies, Amethyst Technologies and Columbia BioSystems, were ICOY award finalists in the Technology Services and New Incubator Company categories, respectively. Amethyst Technologies provides cGMP compliant services for organizations engaged in FDA-regulated activities and Columbia BioSystems is developing products in the field of molecular nano-diagnostics, using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the rapid detection of pathogens such as MRSA. Amethyst is owned by 2007 ACTiVATE® graduate Kimberly Brown.