Initial Successes Earn Contract Renewal With George Mason University
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. June 3, 2013 – SHINE Systems & Technologies (SHINE), a leading intelligence analytics, biometrics, technology integration, and consulting firm based in Charlottesville is celebrating a successful pilot year of the Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP). The program, sponsored by the George Mason University (GMU)-based Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, supports Virginians, particularly small businesses, entrepreneurs and inventors who are trying to commercialize new technologies, to move their innovations to market. ICAP delivers a Client Market Assessment (CMA) valued at $2,000 and a Roadmap for Commercialization and Counseling to selected clients which is valued at $4,000. The only cost to the recipient of the service is their time to fill out the application.
The outstanding 2012 pilot-year results earned SHINE a contract renewal for 2013. Based on the 20 Client Market Assessments that were performed, 13 clients were selected to receive commercialization roadmaps and counseling customized to their needs. Four new businesses were started, $196,000 was secured in capital investments and sales were increased by $121,000. Seven clients were not selected for additional support but recognized and appreciated the value provided. The process has been declared “invaluable in helping us to adjust our strategic planning, mission, vision, goals and objectives.” Another client explained that working with SHINE Systems “got us to focus on that market and push that promotion differently, showing a 15% increase in sales.”
Susan Lee-Merrow, Virginia SBDC Network and ICAP Program manager, remarked that, “In the feedback there is usually much relief and hope because clients now have concrete steps to follow that make sense and are doable.” Interested parties should click on the Virginia SBDC Network logo below for more information and the ICAP application.
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ABOUT SHINE SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGIES
SHINE Systems & Technologies (SHINE) is an innovative SBA certified HUBZone small business headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia with expertise in intelligence analytics, biometrics, technology integration and consulting services. We bring to our customers comprehensive capabilities across many industries and business functions, as well as federal, state and local government. Merging our industry knowledge, service and product expertise with ground-breaking technology capabilities, we identify trends and develop solutions for our clients. Please visit us at www.shinesystech.com.