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: News
New Hampshire Bio/Medical Council & Industry News
August 2008
Research Partnership Grants Offered
The New Hampshire Innovation Research Center (NHIRC) is seeking proposals for its Granite State Technology Innovation Grant, which supports research partnerships for New Hampshire companies with college and university laboratories.
The grants support research projects in new technologies under development in the private sector. It is a competitive process, with oversight by representatives from industry, government and academic institutions. Projects vary from proof-of-concept to a substantial investment in engineering or process design. Companies are required to provide matching funds or services.
A nonbinding letter of intent on company letterhead is due September 15, 2008. The Request for Proposals, with topics of interest and instructions, is posted on the NHIRC website, www.nhirc.unh.edu.
The most recent recipients are:
For More Information:
Contact Paula Pelletier
UNH Office for Research Partnerships and Commercialization
(603) 862-0123
to top
New Hampshire Biotechnology Council in the News
July 2008
The New Hampshire High Technology Council and the New Hampshire Biotech Council: Taking a lead in branding the state's successes
By Richard Fabrizio
Seacoast Online (see original story)
New Hampshire remains a stalwart in the high-tech sector with the eighth-highest concentration of such jobs among the states in 2006.
Those jobs account for 7 percent of the New Hampshire's private-sector workers and the impact of this group is beyond what the percentage suggests. The Granite State's high-tech companies make up one-third of the gross state product.
"Technology in New Hampshire is alive and well," said Fred Kocher, president of New Hampshire High Technology Council, a trade group with 250 members stretching from the Seacoast to North Country to the Connecticut River.
The number of tech jobs has risen slowly in the state in recent years, according to the AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association). In 2006, there were 38,202 — about 6 percent above 2003. But, there's much work left to do for New Hampshire to return to its technological peak when it had nearly 48,000 high-tech workers in 2000.
Going beyond that is going to take an effort to brand New Hampshire as a technology state. And, according to Kocher, the 25-year-old New Hampshire High Technology is perfect for the job.
"Right now New Hampshire's high-tech part of the work force delivers 33 percent of the gross state product," he said. "That tells a story, but we need to tell that story outside of the state."
Gov. John Lynch approached the council last year and asked if it would work with him and the N.H. Department of Resources and Economic Development to brand New Hampshire as a high-tech state. The council is now working with DRED to develop a branding plan and Kocher said the first signs of such should come by fall.
New Hampshire has a success story to tell, but Kocher said its high-tech sector faces real challenges like a faltering domestic economy, retiring baby boomer workers and a depleted pool of qualified employees to replace them.
The NHHTC was founded in 1983 by a group of concerned high-tech business owners. Their goal? Bring together representatives from the private and public sectors to establish and maintain financial, technical, management, legislative and educational support programs that encourage innovative research and technology-based industrial development in the state, its Web site states.v The council offers diverse programming that includes Intellectual Property, Wealth Management and MIT Enterprise forums. It has a hand in legislative affairs and offers scholarships for the children of its members. The NHHTC also presents annual awards and created a New Hampshire High-Tech Hall of Fame.
The NHHTC celebrates and promotes its sector and its members. It names a product of the year, which last year went to UltraVision Security Systems of Salem. UltraVision's UltraSensor product is a cutting edge covert intruder detection system.
The NHHTC seeks to raise its member profiles and possibly attract investment dollars. There is no better example of all the parts of the machine whirling together for success than the NHHTC's 2008 Entrepreneurs of the Year.
Paula Long, Peter Hayden and Paul Koning were honored at the NHHTC Awards Recognition Banquet on June 9. The trio started EqualLogic in 2001 and it rose from "an attic to a billion dollar-plus valuation in just seven years," according to the NHHTC. EqualLogic of Nashua manufactures a scalable iSCSI storage solution for IP SAN environments. It was recently acquired by Dell for $1.4 billion.
"These are great companies that are growing and succeeding," Kocher said, "and we recognize them with these awards that give them recognition and marketing opportunities."
Dawn Wivell is director of the International Trade Resource Center at Pease International Tradeport, a NHHTC member specializing in market opportunities.
"It's so exciting for me to see what new technologies are coming out," she said. "It's innovation that's going to carry the economy."
The ITRC helps companies enter the global marketplace, a critical need as the faltering American economy pushes New Hampshire's high-tech companies to look overseas.
"Our member companies doing business overseas are doing better than those companies just doing business here," Kocher said.
According to Wivell, the majority of New Hampshire exports are in the high-technology arena. "Much of the growth in America's exports falls under the umbrella of high-tech," she added.
The relationship between Wivell's office and the NHHTC creates a synergy that is at the core of trade associations.
"Working with the high-tech council allows us many opportunities," Wivell said. "We can reach out to several members in one fell swoop and do joint programs to promote exports."
That relationship extends to New Hampshire's promising biotech sector.
"Biotech is high tech," said Paula C. Newton, president of the New Hampshire Biotechnology Council and a market research specialist with the New Hampshire International Resource Center at Pease.
Newton said the Biotech Council is in the process of creating a new name for itself to better encompass all things that fall under the general bio-tech moniker.
"There's life sciences, med-tech, bio-med," Newton said. "There's so much you would consider high tech like computerized activities and software that are used in bio tech."
The NHHTC helps the Biotech Council push outward. The two groups signed a memorandum of understanding that both would work to address each other's companies when dealing with similar issues or challenges.
But the NHHTC is not limited to awards, forums and networking meet-ups. It's taking on one the biggest threats to the future of the state's high-tech sector, perhaps even the New England economy as a whole.
Kocher calls it the "big squeeze."
"It's our number 1 priority right now," he said.
The big squeeze refers to the number of baby boomers exiting the work force for retirement. The rise of America's high-tech economy parallels the baby boomers' ascent through the business world.
"Too many tech companies are losing their engineers and technicians," Kocher said. "They're retiring and they can't find enough college graduates and trade school graduates to fill those posts. It could mitigate the growth of some companies and technologies if we don't do something about it."
The challenge is exacerbated as firms can't get enough foreign workers because of limited H-1 work visas. Richard Gustafson, president and chief operating officer, Global Relief Technologies of Portsmouth, said the exodus of younger workers from the region heightens the need to act now.
"A number of younger folks have chosen to exit New England states for warmer and dryer weather," Gustafson said. "Companies like GRT need to promote a healthy, great working environment here to keep our workers here and get others to come here."
Global Relief Technologies was among the organizations featured in Jay Childs' documentary, "Communities and Consequences," based on the book by the same name by demographer Peter Francese and Lorraine Stuart Merrill, the state's agriculture commissioner. The prevailing message: The state is losing younger workers so important in replenishing its work force.
Childs is a NHHTC member through his firm JBC Communications of Portsmouth. While his firm is not high-tech he derives benefits from its membership in the council and fully supports its mission.
"High tech is really where the good, high-paying jobs are going to be for the next generation of people who are going to build the New Hampshire economy," Childs said. "A real, robust high-tech industry in New Hampshire is going to benefit my company and benefit me as a citizen of New Hampshire in a lot of ways we may not even think about."
In response to the "big squeeze," the NHHTC made education its top priority and outreach led to a partnership with the New Hampshire College and University Council to create a new Web site that matches college students with company internships and entry-level jobs.
Also, the NHHTC and a coalition including the University of New Hampshire's School of Engineering and Physical Sciences last fall opened a new middle and high school for science and design in Merrimack. In addition to its science-based curriculum, the charter school will teach foreign languages with Mandarin Chinese as its core language.
"You have to set the stage early on in junior high and high school to get them interested in engineering and technology so more will go on to college to major in those areas," Kocher said.
According to one study, that stage has to be set soon. The percentage of young workers holding bachelor's degrees in New England will continue to decline through 2020, according to a Nellie Mae Education Foundation report in June 2006. And even fewer among them are expected to hold degrees in the engineering, technologies and the sciences.
Membership cost in the NHHTC is based on sales. Companies with annual sales of less than $1 million pay $200 a year. Those with annual sales of more than $10 million pay $1,500 a year. For information on how to join the council, visit www.nhhtc.org.
to top
June 2008
Newton Honored for Biotech Work
CONCORD – New Hampshire Biotechnology Council President Paula Newton was recently recognized with a citation from the Office of the Governor for her work in creating opportunities for the industry’s growth in the state.
As President of the Council for the past four years, Newton has been instrumental in the creation of a new website for the group, developing an outreach strategy to attract expanding medical device companies to New Hampshire and coordinating participation in industry trade shows to raise visibility of the Granite State as a preferred business destination.
In addition to being President of the Council, Newton serves as Market Research and Information Analyst for the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Office of International Commerce. In this role, she is responsible for assisting New Hampshire companies with international trade opportunities, export logistics and documentation issues.
Newton also manages the NH International Trade Resource Center Resource Library and has extensive experience in the biotechnology, medical devices, and clinical diagnostics industry segments.
Reach the original press release from NHEconomy.com
to top
Entrepreneurial Internship Program Connects Businesses to UNH Students
DURHAM, N.H. -- In today's competitive job market, companies are increasingly tapping into state educational institutions to secure quality high-tech workers. At the University of New Hampshire, businesses and students benefit from an entrepreneurial internship program that has successfully matched students with businesses for nearly a decade.
In its ninth year, the Entrepreneurial Internship course places seniors at the Whittemore School of Business and Economics with entrepreneurial ventures in various stages of business development and firms that service the entrepreneurial sector. These mentoring relationships allow companies to utilize the student resources available to them while the students gain valuable work experience.
"The students look forward to the exposure and experience from working with interesting and exciting companies and the close contact with business professionals at these organizations. While the students don't necessarily have the technical experience needed in many high tech start-ups, they do provide the business education that helps such companies thrive," said Jeffrey Sohl, director of the UNH Center for Venture Research, who teaches the class.
"Many of the graduates have gone on to continue working with the company that they interned with, making this a great opportunity for companies to get a first-hand look at the up-and-coming future workforce," Sohl said.
Companies that have participated in the past include PC Connection, Portsmouth Tea Company, CCA Global Partners, eCoast Sales Solutions, Good Leads, VKernel and PelletSales.com.
"Our company has participated in and benefited from UNH's entrepreneurship course since the program's inception in 2000," said Roger Brock, vice president of employee relations and staffing at PC Connection, Inc. "Our ongoing association with the program has allowed us to increase our exposure to the Whittemore School student population. This exposure has had a direct positive impact on our corporate sales recruiting efforts, resulting in new hires from former class participants."
Students work 8 to 10 hours a week for 13 weeks, as well as attend weekly in-class meetings where they learn about topics such as venture capital, private angel investors, due diligence, and the new economy in New Hampshire. In addition to the internship and class time, the students team up to work with nonprofit organizations.
"PelletSales.com was fortunate to have had the help of Kiryl Harris, who came to us as an intern through UNH, and who then came aboard on a full-time basis after graduation. Kir brought an innovative perspective to our business, particularly with regard to how to become more 'green' ourselves," said Jon Strimling, president of PelletSales.com.
The cost for companies to participate in the internship program ranges from $500 to $750 per student interning at the company. Companies within a one-hour commute from UNH's Durham campus are preferred. Companies interested in participating or learning more about the fall 2008 internship program should contact Laura Hill at 603-862-3341 or .
"I was impressed with the quality of students and their willingness to roll up their sleeves and get the work done" said Alex Bakman, founder and CEO of VKernel.
to top
November 2007
BIO Calls for Industry Aid for San Diego
While it's fortunate that there have been no reports of any injuries suffered by our biotech colleagues in the San Diego fires, it will take the wider community a long time to recover, and they need our help. The Biotechnology Industry Organization's (BIO's) regional affiliate, BIOCOM, has joined forces with BIO-member Invitrogen to establish two relief funds. One is for immediate needs (the Fire Relief Biotech Immediate Response Fund). The other is for long-term help with rebuilding (the Fire Relief Biotech Recovery Fund). Both funds are intended to aid the wider San Diego community. Each will provide grants to non-profit relief organizations recommended by the San Diego Regional Disaster Fund Board. Please join BIO in donating to one or both of the funds.
To donate online with a credit card, go to www.sdfoundatyion.org, click on "Click Here to Donate" and select one of the biotech funds under "Donor Designations." To donate by check, write a check payable to either fund and mail it to:
The San Diego Foundation
2508 Historic Decatur Rd.
Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92106
If you prefer to make a stock donation, please call The San Diego Foundation at (619) 235-2300.
In only seven months, the worldwide biotech community will descend on San Diego for the BIO International Convention. Let's show this sunny city what terrific guests we are. Let's help them out now, in their hour of need.
to top
September 2006
NHCTC's fall workforce training workshops
Attention Colleagues –
The fall schedule of Workforce Training presented by NH Community Technical College Stratham/Portsmouth is available for your review and reference. Computer training, Project Management, Sales Training and more are listed on the below flier at convenient times and affordable rates. Customized training is always available and can be presented at your company or at one of our Seacoast locations – in Stratham campus or Portsmouth at our Pease Academic Center located at the International Tradeport.
For more information, contact me directly via email vmahar@nhctc.edu or by phone (603-559-1580).
Valerie J. Mahar
NH Community Technical College
Workforce Training Flier
NH Biotech Congratulates N.H. Teacher of the Year Carolyn Kelley
The New Hampshire Biotechnology Council would like to congratulate New Hampshire Teacher of the Year Carolyn Kelley. This award is great for Carolyn, for Biotechnology education, for the Seacoast School of Technology, and for career and technical education in general!
Tech school teacher is state's top educator
November 2005
Cocktails & Conversation:
NHBC's mixer featuring networking for the biotechnology, life science, medical device and diagnostic communities. This mixer will be held at the offices of Devine, Millimet & Branch in Manchester.
NHCTC Receives Federal Biotechnology Grant
The New Hampshire Biotechnology Education and Training (NH BET) Center at the New Hampshire Community Technical College (NHCTC) Pease International Tradeport Campus has been awarded three important federal grants during the past fourteen months. The grants are to build the education and training infrastructure for biotechnology and biomanufacturing education and training locally, state-wide and throughout the Northeast region consisting of 12 states (NH, ME, VT, MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, northern VA and the District of Columbia)...
to top
August 2005
CrystalVision Partners with New Hampshire Biotechnology Council
August 2005 NH Biotechnology Council and CrystalVision enters into agreement for development and sustained maintenance of the Biotech Council's web site.
BIO 2005 in Phildelphia
The New Hampshire Biotech Council exhibited as a regional entity in collaboration with Vermont and Maine, and occupied a three-booth corner space with a custom designed booth. The first day we had more visitors than previous BIO's combined! They were all very interested in the regional approach and particularly, the status of the industry in northern New England. We've secured a five-booth corner for BIO 2006 in Chicago. Please contact the council for information as to how you can be a part of or located near this space.
to top
Collaboration with the NH High Technology Council (NHHTC)
In early August, the NH Biotechnology Council and the NH High Technology Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Besides working on areas of mutual interest, this MOU will provide NHBC members "membership rates" at NHHTC events, and visa versa.
to top
July 2005
Medical Devices
In cooperation with the New Hampshire International Trade Resource Center and the New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership, NHBC is developing a consortium based program for an international marketing effort for the medical device sector. Medical device companies will receive information later in 2005 regarding this project and related information of interest.
to top
June 2005
International Northeast Biotechnology Corridor Events
NHBC is represented as an officer on the Board of the International Northeast Biotechnology Corridor (INBC). This group, formed in 2000 as a result of the intention of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, promotes activity within the member states and provinces. At present Marine Biology and Medical Devices are focuses of INBC's activities. As opportunities and events are organized notification of these events will be sent to members of the Council and posted on our website with links to the event's website. Many events will be offered at a lower rate to members of the NHBC.
to top
August 2008
Research Partnership Grants Offered
The New Hampshire Innovation Research Center (NHIRC) is seeking proposals for its Granite State Technology Innovation Grant, which supports research partnerships for New Hampshire companies with college and university laboratories.
The grants support research projects in new technologies under development in the private sector. It is a competitive process, with oversight by representatives from industry, government and academic institutions. Projects vary from proof-of-concept to a substantial investment in engineering or process design. Companies are required to provide matching funds or services.
A nonbinding letter of intent on company letterhead is due September 15, 2008. The Request for Proposals, with topics of interest and instructions, is posted on the NHIRC website, www.nhirc.unh.edu.
The most recent recipients are:
- Foss Manufacturing Company, LLC of Hampton, with Dr. James Harper, professor of physics, UNH
- Newport Computer Services, Inc. of Rochester, with Dr. A. R. Venkatachalam, professor, Whittemore School of Business and Economics, UNH
- Velcro Group Corporation in Manchester, with Dr. Glen Miller, professor of chemistry and materials science, UNH
For More Information:
Contact Paula Pelletier
UNH Office for Research Partnerships and Commercialization
(603) 862-0123
to top
New Hampshire Biotechnology Council in the News
July 2008
The New Hampshire High Technology Council and the New Hampshire Biotech Council: Taking a lead in branding the state's successes
By Richard Fabrizio
Seacoast Online (see original story)
Those jobs account for 7 percent of the New Hampshire's private-sector workers and the impact of this group is beyond what the percentage suggests. The Granite State's high-tech companies make up one-third of the gross state product.
"Technology in New Hampshire is alive and well," said Fred Kocher, president of New Hampshire High Technology Council, a trade group with 250 members stretching from the Seacoast to North Country to the Connecticut River.
The number of tech jobs has risen slowly in the state in recent years, according to the AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association). In 2006, there were 38,202 — about 6 percent above 2003. But, there's much work left to do for New Hampshire to return to its technological peak when it had nearly 48,000 high-tech workers in 2000.
Going beyond that is going to take an effort to brand New Hampshire as a technology state. And, according to Kocher, the 25-year-old New Hampshire High Technology is perfect for the job.
"Right now New Hampshire's high-tech part of the work force delivers 33 percent of the gross state product," he said. "That tells a story, but we need to tell that story outside of the state."
Gov. John Lynch approached the council last year and asked if it would work with him and the N.H. Department of Resources and Economic Development to brand New Hampshire as a high-tech state. The council is now working with DRED to develop a branding plan and Kocher said the first signs of such should come by fall.
New Hampshire has a success story to tell, but Kocher said its high-tech sector faces real challenges like a faltering domestic economy, retiring baby boomer workers and a depleted pool of qualified employees to replace them.
The NHHTC was founded in 1983 by a group of concerned high-tech business owners. Their goal? Bring together representatives from the private and public sectors to establish and maintain financial, technical, management, legislative and educational support programs that encourage innovative research and technology-based industrial development in the state, its Web site states.v The council offers diverse programming that includes Intellectual Property, Wealth Management and MIT Enterprise forums. It has a hand in legislative affairs and offers scholarships for the children of its members. The NHHTC also presents annual awards and created a New Hampshire High-Tech Hall of Fame.
The NHHTC celebrates and promotes its sector and its members. It names a product of the year, which last year went to UltraVision Security Systems of Salem. UltraVision's UltraSensor product is a cutting edge covert intruder detection system.
The NHHTC seeks to raise its member profiles and possibly attract investment dollars. There is no better example of all the parts of the machine whirling together for success than the NHHTC's 2008 Entrepreneurs of the Year.
Paula Long, Peter Hayden and Paul Koning were honored at the NHHTC Awards Recognition Banquet on June 9. The trio started EqualLogic in 2001 and it rose from "an attic to a billion dollar-plus valuation in just seven years," according to the NHHTC. EqualLogic of Nashua manufactures a scalable iSCSI storage solution for IP SAN environments. It was recently acquired by Dell for $1.4 billion.
"These are great companies that are growing and succeeding," Kocher said, "and we recognize them with these awards that give them recognition and marketing opportunities."
Dawn Wivell is director of the International Trade Resource Center at Pease International Tradeport, a NHHTC member specializing in market opportunities.
"It's so exciting for me to see what new technologies are coming out," she said. "It's innovation that's going to carry the economy."
The ITRC helps companies enter the global marketplace, a critical need as the faltering American economy pushes New Hampshire's high-tech companies to look overseas.
"Our member companies doing business overseas are doing better than those companies just doing business here," Kocher said.
According to Wivell, the majority of New Hampshire exports are in the high-technology arena. "Much of the growth in America's exports falls under the umbrella of high-tech," she added.
The relationship between Wivell's office and the NHHTC creates a synergy that is at the core of trade associations.
"Working with the high-tech council allows us many opportunities," Wivell said. "We can reach out to several members in one fell swoop and do joint programs to promote exports."
That relationship extends to New Hampshire's promising biotech sector.
"Biotech is high tech," said Paula C. Newton, president of the New Hampshire Biotechnology Council and a market research specialist with the New Hampshire International Resource Center at Pease.
Newton said the Biotech Council is in the process of creating a new name for itself to better encompass all things that fall under the general bio-tech moniker.
"There's life sciences, med-tech, bio-med," Newton said. "There's so much you would consider high tech like computerized activities and software that are used in bio tech."
The NHHTC helps the Biotech Council push outward. The two groups signed a memorandum of understanding that both would work to address each other's companies when dealing with similar issues or challenges.
But the NHHTC is not limited to awards, forums and networking meet-ups. It's taking on one the biggest threats to the future of the state's high-tech sector, perhaps even the New England economy as a whole.
Kocher calls it the "big squeeze."
"It's our number 1 priority right now," he said.
The big squeeze refers to the number of baby boomers exiting the work force for retirement. The rise of America's high-tech economy parallels the baby boomers' ascent through the business world.
"Too many tech companies are losing their engineers and technicians," Kocher said. "They're retiring and they can't find enough college graduates and trade school graduates to fill those posts. It could mitigate the growth of some companies and technologies if we don't do something about it."
The challenge is exacerbated as firms can't get enough foreign workers because of limited H-1 work visas. Richard Gustafson, president and chief operating officer, Global Relief Technologies of Portsmouth, said the exodus of younger workers from the region heightens the need to act now.
"A number of younger folks have chosen to exit New England states for warmer and dryer weather," Gustafson said. "Companies like GRT need to promote a healthy, great working environment here to keep our workers here and get others to come here."
Global Relief Technologies was among the organizations featured in Jay Childs' documentary, "Communities and Consequences," based on the book by the same name by demographer Peter Francese and Lorraine Stuart Merrill, the state's agriculture commissioner. The prevailing message: The state is losing younger workers so important in replenishing its work force.
Childs is a NHHTC member through his firm JBC Communications of Portsmouth. While his firm is not high-tech he derives benefits from its membership in the council and fully supports its mission.
"High tech is really where the good, high-paying jobs are going to be for the next generation of people who are going to build the New Hampshire economy," Childs said. "A real, robust high-tech industry in New Hampshire is going to benefit my company and benefit me as a citizen of New Hampshire in a lot of ways we may not even think about."
In response to the "big squeeze," the NHHTC made education its top priority and outreach led to a partnership with the New Hampshire College and University Council to create a new Web site that matches college students with company internships and entry-level jobs.
Also, the NHHTC and a coalition including the University of New Hampshire's School of Engineering and Physical Sciences last fall opened a new middle and high school for science and design in Merrimack. In addition to its science-based curriculum, the charter school will teach foreign languages with Mandarin Chinese as its core language.
"You have to set the stage early on in junior high and high school to get them interested in engineering and technology so more will go on to college to major in those areas," Kocher said.
According to one study, that stage has to be set soon. The percentage of young workers holding bachelor's degrees in New England will continue to decline through 2020, according to a Nellie Mae Education Foundation report in June 2006. And even fewer among them are expected to hold degrees in the engineering, technologies and the sciences.
Membership cost in the NHHTC is based on sales. Companies with annual sales of less than $1 million pay $200 a year. Those with annual sales of more than $10 million pay $1,500 a year. For information on how to join the council, visit www.nhhtc.org.
to top
June 2008
CONCORD – New Hampshire Biotechnology Council President Paula Newton was recently recognized with a citation from the Office of the Governor for her work in creating opportunities for the industry’s growth in the state.
As President of the Council for the past four years, Newton has been instrumental in the creation of a new website for the group, developing an outreach strategy to attract expanding medical device companies to New Hampshire and coordinating participation in industry trade shows to raise visibility of the Granite State as a preferred business destination.
In addition to being President of the Council, Newton serves as Market Research and Information Analyst for the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Office of International Commerce. In this role, she is responsible for assisting New Hampshire companies with international trade opportunities, export logistics and documentation issues.
Newton also manages the NH International Trade Resource Center Resource Library and has extensive experience in the biotechnology, medical devices, and clinical diagnostics industry segments.
Reach the original press release from NHEconomy.com
to top
Entrepreneurial Internship Program Connects Businesses to UNH Students
DURHAM, N.H. -- In today's competitive job market, companies are increasingly tapping into state educational institutions to secure quality high-tech workers. At the University of New Hampshire, businesses and students benefit from an entrepreneurial internship program that has successfully matched students with businesses for nearly a decade.
In its ninth year, the Entrepreneurial Internship course places seniors at the Whittemore School of Business and Economics with entrepreneurial ventures in various stages of business development and firms that service the entrepreneurial sector. These mentoring relationships allow companies to utilize the student resources available to them while the students gain valuable work experience.
"The students look forward to the exposure and experience from working with interesting and exciting companies and the close contact with business professionals at these organizations. While the students don't necessarily have the technical experience needed in many high tech start-ups, they do provide the business education that helps such companies thrive," said Jeffrey Sohl, director of the UNH Center for Venture Research, who teaches the class.
"Many of the graduates have gone on to continue working with the company that they interned with, making this a great opportunity for companies to get a first-hand look at the up-and-coming future workforce," Sohl said.
Companies that have participated in the past include PC Connection, Portsmouth Tea Company, CCA Global Partners, eCoast Sales Solutions, Good Leads, VKernel and PelletSales.com.
"Our company has participated in and benefited from UNH's entrepreneurship course since the program's inception in 2000," said Roger Brock, vice president of employee relations and staffing at PC Connection, Inc. "Our ongoing association with the program has allowed us to increase our exposure to the Whittemore School student population. This exposure has had a direct positive impact on our corporate sales recruiting efforts, resulting in new hires from former class participants."
Students work 8 to 10 hours a week for 13 weeks, as well as attend weekly in-class meetings where they learn about topics such as venture capital, private angel investors, due diligence, and the new economy in New Hampshire. In addition to the internship and class time, the students team up to work with nonprofit organizations.
"PelletSales.com was fortunate to have had the help of Kiryl Harris, who came to us as an intern through UNH, and who then came aboard on a full-time basis after graduation. Kir brought an innovative perspective to our business, particularly with regard to how to become more 'green' ourselves," said Jon Strimling, president of PelletSales.com.
The cost for companies to participate in the internship program ranges from $500 to $750 per student interning at the company. Companies within a one-hour commute from UNH's Durham campus are preferred. Companies interested in participating or learning more about the fall 2008 internship program should contact Laura Hill at 603-862-3341 or .
"I was impressed with the quality of students and their willingness to roll up their sleeves and get the work done" said Alex Bakman, founder and CEO of VKernel.
to top
November 2007
BIO Calls for Industry Aid for San Diego
While it's fortunate that there have been no reports of any injuries suffered by our biotech colleagues in the San Diego fires, it will take the wider community a long time to recover, and they need our help. The Biotechnology Industry Organization's (BIO's) regional affiliate, BIOCOM, has joined forces with BIO-member Invitrogen to establish two relief funds. One is for immediate needs (the Fire Relief Biotech Immediate Response Fund). The other is for long-term help with rebuilding (the Fire Relief Biotech Recovery Fund). Both funds are intended to aid the wider San Diego community. Each will provide grants to non-profit relief organizations recommended by the San Diego Regional Disaster Fund Board. Please join BIO in donating to one or both of the funds.
To donate online with a credit card, go to www.sdfoundatyion.org, click on "Click Here to Donate" and select one of the biotech funds under "Donor Designations." To donate by check, write a check payable to either fund and mail it to:
The San Diego Foundation
2508 Historic Decatur Rd.
Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92106
If you prefer to make a stock donation, please call The San Diego Foundation at (619) 235-2300.
In only seven months, the worldwide biotech community will descend on San Diego for the BIO International Convention. Let's show this sunny city what terrific guests we are. Let's help them out now, in their hour of need.
to top
September 2006
NHCTC's fall workforce training workshops
Attention Colleagues –
The fall schedule of Workforce Training presented by NH Community Technical College Stratham/Portsmouth is available for your review and reference. Computer training, Project Management, Sales Training and more are listed on the below flier at convenient times and affordable rates. Customized training is always available and can be presented at your company or at one of our Seacoast locations – in Stratham campus or Portsmouth at our Pease Academic Center located at the International Tradeport.
For more information, contact me directly via email vmahar@nhctc.edu or by phone (603-559-1580).
Valerie J. Mahar
NH Community Technical College
Workforce Training Flier
NH Biotech Congratulates N.H. Teacher of the Year Carolyn Kelley
The New Hampshire Biotechnology Council would like to congratulate New Hampshire Teacher of the Year Carolyn Kelley. This award is great for Carolyn, for Biotechnology education, for the Seacoast School of Technology, and for career and technical education in general!
Tech school teacher is state's top educator
November 2005
Cocktails & Conversation:
NHBC's mixer featuring networking for the biotechnology, life science, medical device and diagnostic communities. This mixer will be held at the offices of Devine, Millimet & Branch in Manchester.
NHCTC Receives Federal Biotechnology Grant
The New Hampshire Biotechnology Education and Training (NH BET) Center at the New Hampshire Community Technical College (NHCTC) Pease International Tradeport Campus has been awarded three important federal grants during the past fourteen months. The grants are to build the education and training infrastructure for biotechnology and biomanufacturing education and training locally, state-wide and throughout the Northeast region consisting of 12 states (NH, ME, VT, MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, northern VA and the District of Columbia)...
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August 2005
CrystalVision Partners with New Hampshire Biotechnology Council
August 2005 NH Biotechnology Council and CrystalVision enters into agreement for development and sustained maintenance of the Biotech Council's web site.
BIO 2005 in Phildelphia
The New Hampshire Biotech Council exhibited as a regional entity in collaboration with Vermont and Maine, and occupied a three-booth corner space with a custom designed booth. The first day we had more visitors than previous BIO's combined! They were all very interested in the regional approach and particularly, the status of the industry in northern New England. We've secured a five-booth corner for BIO 2006 in Chicago. Please contact the council for information as to how you can be a part of or located near this space.
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Collaboration with the NH High Technology Council (NHHTC)
In early August, the NH Biotechnology Council and the NH High Technology Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Besides working on areas of mutual interest, this MOU will provide NHBC members "membership rates" at NHHTC events, and visa versa.
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July 2005
Medical Devices
In cooperation with the New Hampshire International Trade Resource Center and the New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership, NHBC is developing a consortium based program for an international marketing effort for the medical device sector. Medical device companies will receive information later in 2005 regarding this project and related information of interest.
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June 2005
International Northeast Biotechnology Corridor Events
NHBC is represented as an officer on the Board of the International Northeast Biotechnology Corridor (INBC). This group, formed in 2000 as a result of the intention of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, promotes activity within the member states and provinces. At present Marine Biology and Medical Devices are focuses of INBC's activities. As opportunities and events are organized notification of these events will be sent to members of the Council and posted on our website with links to the event's website. Many events will be offered at a lower rate to members of the NHBC.
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