Innovation News

Bexion Pharmaceuticals awarded $500K SBIR state grant for cancer research

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March 29, 2011

Bexion Pharmaceutical's work to treat a deadly form of brain cancer has earned a $500,000 boost from the state of Kentucky.The Covington-based biotechnology company has been awarded a state Small Business Innovation Research matching grant for its ongoing research into a cure for glioblastoma multiforme, an invasive brain tumor that can't be effectively treated now. The grant offers a partial match to a $1.5 million, Phase 2 SBIR grant that the National Cancer Institute Awarded Bexion late last year."By Kentucky matching that grant it allows us to expedite the process, so that we can move to clinical trials a lot faster," said VP of Business Development Margaret van Gilse. "We are working on developing the drug that will ultimately be used in the Phase I clinical trial." Bexion expects human clinical trials will start late this year or early 2012, van Gisle said. "In order to cultivate breakthrough technologies, life science companies need early stage funding. In Kentucky, we are doing everything we can to support this important cluster of our local economy with sources such as the Northern Kentucky ezone as well as with state and local support," said Northern Kentucky Tri-ED Chairman, Steve Pendery. "Northern Kentucky is certainly open for business in the life sciences corridor."Bexion Pharmaceuticals is a startup focused on finding cures and treatments for a wide range of cancers. Currently they are working with technology licensed from Cincinnati Children's Hospital. The company has three primary focuses: oncology therapeutics, oncology diagnostics and nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) delivery. Bexion is located at bioLOGIC Corp, a global life science investment and management company with a Covington office."Bexion Pharmaceuticals was awarded the highest matching grant possible from the state program due to the potential for commercialization of the drug treatment therapies the company is developing," said Gene Fuqua, acting commissioner of the Cabinet's Department of Commercialization and Innovation. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Northern Kentucky Tri-EDYou can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites

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Rockfish Brand Ventures division offers new funding source for Cincinnati startups

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Architecture + Design

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March 29, 2011

Rockfish Interactive, a growing digital branding agency that recently opened a Cincinnati office, is expanding deeper into entrepreneurial territory with a VC division.The company just launched Rockfish Brand Ventures to help fund digital startups focused in the consumer internet, mobile and retail sectors. In addition, Rockfish Brand Ventures will offer tech and marketing support. "This allows us to be a better partner with our clients. With the pace of change in the digital realm, if we want to be a true digital innovation partner we have to have our finger on the pulse of startups and emerging media," said Rockfish Interactive Chief Marketing Officer Dave Knox, who works in Cincinnati and sits on Rockfish Brand Ventures investment committee.The Northwest Arkansas-based, multi-media consulting and technology agency is among Inc. 500's fastest growing U.S. companies. It counts Fortune 500 companies like Walmart, Sam's Club, Cisco, Procter & Gamble and Tyson Foods among its clients. In addition to Cincinnati, Rockfish has offices in Little Rock, Dallas and San Francisco.Rockfish Ventures is exploring new territory in becoming an investment partner with the same types of clients Rockfish Interactive has helped create marketing campaigns and brand identities. Though Rockfish has national reach with investment in companies across the country, it offers Cincinnati startups another place to seek VC funding in their backyard.Rockfish Brand Ventures plans to make about 10 investments in the next 12-24 months and will partner with other VC firms and investment groups."From day one, Rockfish has been committed to digital innovation on behalf of our clients and our own company," said Rockfish Founder and CEO Kenny Tomlin. "In only five years, we have incubated and launched more than 10 brands and proprietary technologies, while simultaneously becoming one of the fastest-growing and award-winning digital agencies. This is a natural evolution to our model."Rockfish Brand Ventures isn't just offering dollars, an Advisory Board of industry veterans in technology, venture and marketing will also offer support to new companies.To find out more, or to apply, contact Rockfish online. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Rockfish Interactive CFO Dave KnoxYou can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites

Local web and marketing entrepreneurial team help Cincinnati businesses brand

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Architecture + Design

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March 29, 2011

Just five months after taking a website development job with a local company, Sean Vosler decided to strike out on his own starting Vezign, a web design and social media management company that specializes in the open source web design program Wordpress."I've always wanted my own business but for a long time I just didn't think it was practical; there were too many hurdles to get started. I decided that I wasn't happy at my job, and that if I could get three clients to start I could quit and at least get started on my own," said Vosler, of Loveland.Since then, Vosler has worked for dozens of local clients including Sol-Tech Group, KMG Sports Management and Puppyhood Pet Resort.He also designed a site for Resonate marketing, whose founder Jay Blumberg quickly teamed up with Vosler to offer clients marketing strategy and quality web utility."I met Jay through a client. At the time, I was getting pretty hungry for new clients and was really trying to increase my portfolio of work. He ran a small full-service marketing business that offered marketing planning and direct marketing services to several companies. I offered to do his website for free if he'd take some time out to help me with my marketing plans, and help me find new clients," he said.They soon began a professional relationship."It turned out we worked great together. With his experience in marketing we've been able to offer very high quality marketing plans that are built into my website designs, as opposed to building a website 'just because you need one,'" Vosler said.In addition to building sites, Vosler also provides social media management as well as digital photography and video services. He builds each site in a way that allows clients to take control of the content as they see fit when the company grows or changes. He is also versed in Search Engine Optimization, helping clients create sites that reach potential customers in the competitive search engine arena."We offer our clients an extremely effective method for reaching the clients that are looking for their services. For example, if it's a website for a restaurant, 9 out of 10 people are just looking for a menu and hours. They shouldn't have to wade through page after page to find the information they want. We also can offer them the ability to get directions to the restaurant, share their thoughts about the food, and then share their experience with their friends via social media. It's all about engaging the audience while making sure they find what they need," he said.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Sean Vosler, founder VezignYou can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites

CincyChic goes digital with new online show in OTR

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Arts + Culture

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March 29, 2011

Four years into breaking new ground with a local, online women's lifestyle publication, Cincy Chic founder Amy Scalia is taking the publication multi-media with the Cincy Chic show.The weekly program will be broadcast online each Monday as part of the content offered in the weekly Cincy Chic publication. Along with different guests, it will feature Scalia, producer Ilene Ross, and bar owner and bartender Molly Wellmann, who serves up a signature cocktail each show."We've been a publication for the past four years, and when you have a multi-media component, it really helps the stories come alive," said Scalia.The chat show will feature local business and products, fashion tips, and food and drink ideas. Recipes for drinks that Wellmann mixes during the show are posted online in the show's credits.The program is shot in Over-the-Rhine in a loft in the Gateway Quarter. "I love the feel of these urban lofts. When we looking for space, it gave us the feel that we were looking for. They have a lot of natural light, and just offer a great space," Scalia said.The program marshals local resources to bring it all together with the help of businesses that provide food, flowers, makeup and wardrobe. Production company Barking Fish Entertainment shoots the 20-30 minute show, which is currently seeking out sponsors, Scalia said. The show is another way for readers to get to know the people who make up Cincy Chic, and to promote local events and business owners, Scalia said. "This is a way to get to know us as people. Some people think Cincy Chic might be a franchise, and just one of many publications. But we want them to know this is by local women, for local women. And we want them to be a part of the show," she said.You can watch the show by subscribing to the free Cincy Chic newsletter, or online.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Amy Scalia, founder Cincy ChicYou can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites

NKU launches online Doctor of Nursing program this fall

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Health + Wellness

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March 22, 2011

Nurses looking to increase their skills will soon have a chance to take classes online through Northern Kentucky University.NKU is launching a Doctor of Nursing Practice starting this fall. The program, developed by university faculty, responded to a forecast shortage of doctors and nurses nationwide as baby boomers age."The DNP at NKU will provide the opportunity for program graduates to demonstrate scientific knowledge and practice expertise to assure quality patient outcomes," said Denise Robinson, regents professor and dean of NKU's College of Health Professions. "This high level of skill is needed to address the complexity of healthcare needs in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and globally. These nursing experts will be tomorrow's healthcare leaders."The practiced-focused, part-time program is designed for masters-level nurses to design, implement, manage and evaluate health care delivery systems and patients."The Doctor of Nursing Practice is an important solution to these growing healthcare needs and demands. Nurses will always practice nursing and physicians will practice medicine. Within that context, medicine and nursing are morphing into a new paradigm to respond to the type of care needed at this time in history," said Dr. Marilyn Schleyer, chair of the NKU Department of Advanced Nursing Studies.The 36-credit-hour, eight semester program will be online only, and the fall class will take up to 18 students. It will also have one to two synchronized audio and visual faculty/student interactions each semester at the faculty's discretion. For more information about the application process, contact Educational Outreach at edoutreach@nku.edu or call (859) 392-2400.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: NKU CommunicationsYou can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites

New Cincinnati Chamber program invites new and established residents to “Discover Cincinnati”

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General

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March 22, 2011

When a stranger asks anyone within 30 minutes of Cincinnati proper where they live, what's the likely answer? Blue Ash? Hyde Park? Mt. Washington? More likely than not, they'll reply Cincinnati.Cincinnati is a region where people live, work and shop across a swath of villages, townships and cities. But look closer. Even though a web of interstates and bridges can quickly take us from one part of town to another, there are still pieces of Cincinnati that in most people's minds remain separate from each another. East vs. West, Cincinnati vs. Northern Kentucky, city vs. suburb.A new program sponsored by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber "Discover Cincinnati" is working to put those pieces together, giving new and established residents a bigger view of Cincinnati in all its complexity and diversity.Discover Cincinnati is a series of exploratory sessions that take participants far and wide - literally and figuratively - across the city of Cincinnati and beyond.The sessions tie in with several a priorities of Agenda 360 and Vision 2015 regional planning initiatives of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, respectively."This is wonderful for anyone who is relatively new to the city and wondering how to learn all the local jargon that we take for granted that everybody knows. And I'm convinced that there are lots of people out there who have lived their entire lives in Cincinnati and may know their part of the community, but don't have a sense of the region as a region," said Dan Hurley, director of Leadership Cincinnati.It's important that those living here are comfortable and knowledgeable about areas outside their own if Greater Cincinnati is to thrive, Hurley said."That's how we function; we don't function as the City of Cincinnati and the City of Covington. We function as region," he said.You can register here for Discover Cincinnati The costs $250 and includes these sessions:Session 1 | Metropolitan Cincinnati from 30,000 feet: An introduction to our region, its character and its place in America. Monday, April 4, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Downtown CincinnatiSession 2 | Where the Past and Present Meet the Future: Your tour begins at the top of Carew Tower for an all-day exploration of Cincinnati's past, present and future with noted local historian Dan Hurley. Saturday, April 9, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Cincinnati Walking/Bus Tour, Lunch providedSessions 3 & 4 | Creating Quality Places in the Center City and Suburbs Reflecting the evolving priorities of our regional plans, Agenda 360 and Vision 2015, experience the proactive efforts in motion to create livable communities in Northern Kentucky's riverfront cities and suburban Fairfield.Session 3 Monday, April 25, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Molly Malone's, Covington, KYSession 4 Monday, May 2, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Fairfield Town Center, Fairfield, OHA second series is schedule to start Oct. 2 to 24.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Dan Hurley, director of Leadership CincinnatiYou can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites

Cincinnati Boomerang Effect organizer wants more African-American voices in marketing

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Diversity

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March 22, 2011

On March 12 a nearly 30-person strong Hip Hoppin' flash mob emerged at Newport-on- the-Levee. The unexpected and quickly choreographed three minute dance routine garnered attention, cheers and applause, but it was just a small part of a nationwide social media experiment.The dance gave a glimpse of Cincinnati's part of The Boomerang Effect II. It's a partnership of volunteer initiative SERVE 60™ and The Marcus Graham Project, which develops diverse talent in the advertising, media and marketing industry. The two national organizations came together for The Boomerang Effect II, a 60-hour mashup of networking, social media and community service.The Boomerang Effect takes its name from the early '90s movie Boomerang, where Eddie Murphy played an advertising executive. In that vein, among the aims of the weekend is to open the world of advertising and marketing to African-American and other minority professionals and students.This was the first year Cincinnati joined The Boomerang Effect; it was organized by local social media marketing entrepreneur Jeremy K. Smith. He quickly pulled the weekend together with help from a number of local resources. Eleven other cities participated including Detroit, New York, L.A., Miami and Milwaukee. Smith was formerly and sales and recruiting and has used social media for several years as part of his work. He recently started his own social media marketing company Authentic New Media. He believed the event was a good way to showcase a diverse crowd interested in social media and marketing. He estimates over 200 people participated over the weekend."I think it was fantastic. Coming into it, some people didn't think there would be support for something like it. That mainstream people wouldn't show up. But I was very pleased at how it played out. Everyone who decided to participate had fun," Smith said.It kicked off Friday night with a networking event at The Bowtie Café, opened by Bengals' player Dhani Jones. The mixer featured P&G Global Brand Manager Hamilton Brown and LebronJames.com Digital Media Manager Jay Bobo. Saturday was the flash mob event, with music provided by DJ Band Camp. Sunday the video was part of a Tweetathon, where the video with the most Tweets, views and likes was awarded $1,500 to support a nonprofit. Cincinnati didn't win, but the video has received more than 600 views.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Jeremy K Smith, president and CEO Authentic New MediaYou can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites

The Brandery, CincyTech resources bring startups to Cincinnati from Chicago

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Entrepreneurship

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March 15, 2011

Two Chicago startup companies are moving to Cincinnati, drawn by the resources of the CincyTech accelerator and consumer branding incubator The Brandery. Both companies - turboBOTZ, an online game retail platform and mobile coupon company Samplesaint - announced their moves just days apart.Vincent Chou has the mind of an entrepreneur mixed with the mentality of a gamer. His new company turboBOTZ takes an entrepreneurial approach to a common gamers' problem: efficiently buying and selling games at the best price possible."I've been a gamer since I was about five, and that never left me," Chou said with a chuckle.That's why he created turboBOTZ, an online platform/community network where gamers can buy and sell games. Chou co-founded the company with Pratap Shergill."Basically they have the ability to manage the games that they own, as well as to buy, sell and trade their games," said Chou, who's worked as a management consultant.He came up with idea after becoming frustrated with selling his own games to stores where he'd get pennies on the dollar for what he spent on them."I found out I wasn't the only person who felt this way, and then I went to business school with this concept," Chou said.The concept eventually made it to the finals of the 2010 New Venture Challenge business competition at the University of Chicago. The partners then took the idea to Chicago's Excelerate Labs incubator, but program operators thought it was a better fit for The Brandery.turboBOTZ was part of The Brandery's first class, and now CincyTech is investing $250,000 in the company, which must move here within 90 days as part of the investment.The second company, Samplesaint, aims to make the emerging mobile phone coupon trend easier for both consumers and retailers with technology that allows coupons to be more easily scanned. Generally digital coupons must be printed or retailers must manually enter coupon codes from a phone."I am looking forward to becoming more active in the terrific consumer marketing industry in Cincinnati," said company founder and CEO Lawrence Griffith, a Cincinnati native. "With companies such as Procter, Kroger, Macy's and dunnhumby, it is a hub of expertise about the consumer mindset. Samplesaint looks forward to finding its place in that ecosystem."Samplesaint's technology also includes access to a database that ties to the retailer's point-of-service, allowing identification, redemption and expiration date of coupons to be immediately determined. Griffith says the company plans to hire about 10 people this year.CincyTech is investing $250,000 in the company, which also has 90 days to move here. Samplesaint is the first African-American owned company in which CincyTech has invested.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSources: Vincent Chou, co-founder turboBOTZYou can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites

E’lon Cosmetics targets global, emerging women of color market

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Diversity

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March 15, 2011

Yolanda Webb's idea for a line of makeup products designed for women of color came after years of frustration over finding the right shades for herself as a young model."Twenty five years ago, I started in the modeling industry. Back then there wasn't makeup for black women," said Webb, a Detroit native who moved to Cincinnati and raised a family.Not much had changed over the years, she found, when her daughter was looking for just the right shades for herself."When my daughter was in the 12th grade, she had this same problem," she said. "We're talking about 10 years ago."Webb decided to take matters into her own hands, she developed and began selling her own line of high quality makeup E'lon Couture Cosmetics. The line, founded in 2002 and sold exclusively on the web, includes powder, cream and liquid foundation, bronzer, blush, eye shadow, lipstick, liners and more. The line also includes a skincare line for all skin types.The line is sold internationally to women of color in dozens of countries, a growing group of women who increasingly want to spend money on beauty products, Webb said.A look at the web site gives a peak into the international reach of E'lon Cosmetics. The site can be translated into just over a dozen languages including Afrikaans, Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Spanish, French and Swahili."You have a larger contingent of black women than ever who have disposable income and want to do something with it including purchasing makeup products," Webb said.E'lon Cosmetics tagline, "Celebrating The Beauty And Inner Strength Of Today's Black Woman," carries over into the company's E'Lon Couture. The magazine covers global beauty and fashion, of course, but digs into deeper cultural issues. Recent headlines include "The State of Being Black in America" and "Little Girls Lost" on the costs of fame at any price.The magazine, which began as a blog in 2009, has an international view like the cosmetics line. It caters to women who have traditionally been left out of business, fashion and culture, and want to be heard, Webb said."We felt like it was time do this magazine, you have to know about other cultures and people. If you want to do business here in Cincinnati, you have to know who these people are who live outside the US," Webb said.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Yolanda Webb, founder E'lon Couture Cosmetics, E'lon Couture PublishingYou can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites

Greater Cincinnati World Affairs Council website offers one-stop shop for international orgs

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Diversity

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March 15, 2011

Like any successful metro area, Greater Cincinnati has a strong and growing international community making a mark on local culture, business and education.Now the Greater Cincinnati World Affairs Council has launched a website to link those organizations, and their work. The site, "Global Cincinnati: Gateway to the World" aims to offer a one-stop shop for the region's international and interethnic organizations, as well as to give them wider exposure throughout the community. "Globalcincinnati.org is a way for any citizen in Cincinnati to get in touch with global resources and engage in global forums to improve their business, coursework, or career," said GCWAC Executive Director Erika Dockery. "Greater Cincinnati World Affairs Council is the center of excellence for international education and citizen diplomacy in the Tri-state."The site includes links to foreign chambers of commerce, businesses and trade associations as well as non-profit and educational organizations. There's also a section listing local experts with knowledge of specific fields, like history or language, along with their contact information. They can be reached for media interviews or speaking engagements.Perhaps the most dynamic portion of the site is the events calendar which will be constantly updated with a wide variety of international educational, cultural and business events across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.The Greater Cincinnati World Affairs Council is a longstanding, non-partisan organization founded in 1923 to build "global understanding and promotes international awareness through education, information and exchange of people and ideas."The site is just part of the council's web outreach. You can also follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Greater Cincinnati World Affairs CouncilYou can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites