Two Northern Kentucky start ups awarded more than $630,000 in state tech grants

Two Northern Kentucky start ups, with help from Northern Kentucky ezonehttp://www.madisone-zone.com/Home.aspx, have been awarded a total of $630,000 in Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation grants.http://jacobsautomation.com/ Jacob’s Automation, which is moving from Norwood to Campbell County, Ky., was awarded $600,000 for further development of its development of PackTrak™ technology. PackTrak is an upgrade on the chain, belt and gear motors in traditional package movers. PackTrack relies on a direct-drive linear motor that is tracked by customized software. Jacob’s earlier received $200,000 from the Kentucky Enterprise funds to pay for patent expenses and for building two PackTrack demo units. “Given the economy and difficulty securing funding from traditional sources, the support we have received from the ezone and the KSTC programs has been invaluable and helped us invest in and further develop our technology,” said Keith Jacobs, Founder and President of Jacobs Automation. “We are focused on growing our company and excited to be part of the high-tech economic growth that is happening in the state of Kentucky.” DRSQUARED, in Covington, was awarded $30,000 for continued development of its web-based product designed to save web-based sellers’ time by allowing them to manage, post and track products for sale through multiple online platforms at a single point.”The KSTC grant gave me the momentum and confidence to push my idea forward,” said Rodney D’Souza, DRSQUARED’s founder. “The best part is that the ezone and KSTC provide the mentoring, networks and access to many non-monetary resources that will accelerate the growth of my business.” Northern Kentucky ezone is a division of Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corp. http://www.northernkentuckyusa.com/Home.aspxWriter: Feoshia HendersonSource:  Cheryl Besl, Strata-G Communications