ETC ENTREPRENEURS HONORED AS INNOVATORS OF THE YEAR

October 17, 2006 Press Release

BALTIMORE, MD - Baltimore City’s Emerging Technology Centers (ETC), a venture of the Baltimore Development Corporation, announced today that two entrepreneurs associated with its incubator programs were recently honored at the Daily Record “Innovators of the Year – 2006” Awards Ceremony.

Juan Tosoni, Founder and CEO of TX2 Systems, Inc. and current ETC client, was selected as “Innovator of the Year” for creating an enterprise software system that manages mergers, acquisitions and divestures.  The system is an interactive web portal that brings together the many integral and complex components of a merger or acquisition.   TX2’s technology is being used by Fortune 100 companies and several of the largest law firms in the world.

Kim Schaefer, Principal of TerraLogos: eco architecture, pc, is an architect of nearly 30 years experience and a LEED Accredited Professional of the US Green Building Council.  Ms. Schaefer was selected as “Innovator of the Year” for dedicating her practice to incorporating the principles of Sustainable Design in both the projects and services that she offers to her clients.  She is also one of the founders of TerraLogos Green Home Services, Inc., the newest ETC incubator client.

“I am very pleased to see these individuals honored as part of this select group by the Daily Record,” said Ann Lansinger, Executive Director of the ETC.  “I am also proud of the fact that the ETC was able to contribute both to their success and to helping make Maryland the Innovation location.”

The Innovator of the Year award program was initiated in 2002 by the Daily Record to seek out and recognize entrepreneurial ventures throughout Maryland that have demonstrated the spirit of innovation by creating products, services, or programs that benefit their businesses, industries, or communities. The judging criteria include originality, impact, challenges and value creation.

Nearly 50 companies have set up operations in one of ETC’s two Baltimore City incubators since the beginning of 2005.  The ETC’s incubator facilities are located in Canton and at Johns Hopkins Eastern, site of the former Eastern High School.

About the ETC (www.etcbaltimore.com) 

The ETC, a venture of the Baltimore Development Corporation, is a non-profit business incubator focused on growing early-stage technology and biotechnology companies.  The ETC promotes economic development, providing business, technical, and networking connections to help these companies grow and prosper – adding to both the job and tax base of Baltimore City. To date, ETC client companies have received over $145 million in funding and have been issued nearly 200 patents.  Since 1999 ETC has provided assistance to 117 companies and 81 percent of its graduate clients are still in business.

ETC’s incubator facilities provide participating companies with direct, customized business assistance, including technical assessment, marketing assistance, business modeling, mentoring, and access to funding sources in addition to a wide array of physical amenities, including fully wired office space, flexible leases, shared basic services and equipment, and technology support.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - CONTACT: Matthew Pugh (410) 727-6855