Presenting Companies
Distinguished Panel of Venture Capitalists:
The Polsky Center is proud to recognize our distinguished panel of venture capitalists for selecting this year's presenting companies. Panel members include:
Shez Bandukwala - ThinkPanmure
John Banta - Illinois Ventures, LLC
Brad Barton - NGP Energy Technology Partners
Travis Bradford - The Prometheus Institute
Amy Francetic - MVC Capital
John Denniston - Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
Tracy Marshbanks - First Analysis
Bret Maxwell - MK Capital
Eric Olson - DFJ Portage Venture Partners
Todd Peterson - DFJ Element Partners
Presenting Companies
Below are the selected emerging alternative energy start-ups operating in the Midwest who will present their business and technology at the forum. View the 2007 list of presenting companies (PDF).
10x Technology
10x Technology LLC designs and manufactures micro- and nano-structured polymer substrates. Widespread uses of these substrates include the film that improves the brightness of flat panel displays and the reflective sheeting that makes road signs visible at night. Most recently, 10x has focused on solar concentrators and LEDs, which represent an important step in low energy lighting. 10x operates from an 8,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Libertyville, Illinois. 10x is an early-stage, revenue generating company. It is currently producing materials for customers in several of the aforementioned areas and is seeking funding to support further expansion.
AlGalCo LLC
AlGalCo is an Indiana-based company established in 2006 to commercialize a hydrogen on demand strategy as one viable alternative source of energy. AlGalCo has solved the distribution and storage issues associated with hydrogen gas by generating the gas on demand at the point of use. The company has confirmed three critical commercialization elements: the process works, the output of the process is controllable and is sufficient for commercial purposes, and it is economically competitive.
All Cell Technologies LLC
All Cell Technologies LLC offers patented technology that enables the use of lithium ion batteries, the preferred energy storage choice in transport applications from electric bicycles, scooters, and wheelchairs through hybrid and plug-in hybrid automobiles. Freeing the U.S. from dependence on foreign oil requires the eventual electrification of our transportation system. Supported by a year and a half of experience powering a plug-in hybrid Ford Escape S.U.V., All Cell is negotiating supply of its inexpensive, compact, passive thermal management system to several manufacturers.
EcoThermics
EcoThermics is a technology pioneer in the greening of the heating and cooling industry. They are developing a breakthrough technology utilizing CO2 as a natural refrigerant that dramatically reduces carbon emissions while reducing the cost of heating and cooling by up to 50%. This technology will enable HVACR manufacturers to replace inefficient, environmentally harmful components with environmentally friendly alternatives that conserve energy and improve system performance. EcoThermics is located at the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center.
Eden Park Illumination
Eden Park Illumination is a young dynamic lighting technology company anchored in over fifty years of technology heritage through its affiliation with the Laboratory of Optical Physics and Engineering at the University of Illinois. The company is leader in the areas of research, development, and commercialization of Microplasma. Its team includes business and technology experts from diverse backgrounds and nationalities who collaborate to innovate and achieve excellence. Eden Park is aware of the impact of today's lighting technologies on our environment, and are continuously working to ensure that the products they develop and sell evolve with the changing needs of the environment.
iLight Technologies
iLight Technologies is a pioneer and leader in innovative and energy-efficient light emitting diode (LED) illumination solutions. iLight's products transform, excite, and energize corporate identities and architectural environments worldwide. Awarded 50 U.S. and international patents to date and with 50 additional patents pending, iLight is poised to continue to develop and offer new and creative LED lighting technologies. iLight is based in Chicago, Illinois and has a manufacturing facility in Cookeville, Tennessee, and currently employs approximately 65 individuals.
In-Pipe Technology
Founded in 1999, In-Pipe Technology Company provides engineered wastewater treatment technology and services that meet the escalating challenges facing today's municipalities. In-Pipe's patented technology and engineered solutions help customers achieve environmental compliance, eliminate noxious odors and corrosion, lessen the impact of fats, oils and grease, reduce operating costs, and maximize return on capital expenditures. Rather than passively waiting until wastewater arrives at the treatment plant, In-Pipe begins its proven process by treating the wastewater upstream in the far reaches of the sewer system, closer to the source.
LifeCrete
LifeCrete Eco-Masonry combines the normal structural and aesthetic focuses of building with a green, energy-efficient, and sustainable goal. LifeCrete has invented a new bio-masonry construction block, LifeBlock, made using industrial hemp core-fiber and ceramic-like cement. The LifeBlock construction system solves the major problems experienced in the construction materials industry. LifeCrete is based in Fairfield, Iowa.
NanoCarbons LLC
NanoCarbons LLC has produced high capacity electrocarbons that can be sold for lower costs with high operating margins. Eleven patent applications cover novel methods for engineering carbons with maximal usable nanosurface and optimal electrode morphologies. Every element of the technology has been proven using scalable commercial processes and precursors. NanoCarbons can be substituted directly into existing Ucap electrode manufacturing processes to address existing annual electrocarbon demand today of over $80 million.
ShadePlex LLC
ShadePlex LLC is an early-stage company formed in 2007 and located in Ypsilanti, Michigan (near Ann Arbor). The company's mission is to expand the utilization and affordability of solar technology through development of innovative applications in industrial and architectural fabrics. ShadePlex's PV-Rite solar-electric building fabrics are high powered, fully integrated and warranted with industry-leading fabrics and photovoltaic materials, and modular for easy fabrication and installation. They are nurturing a high quality, low cost, global network of suppliers and partners that include leading manufacturers of thin-film PV, adhesives, and industrial and architectural fabrics.
SmartSpark
SmartSpark Energy Systems is a power electronics company, specializing in the development of products that support the efficient transformation and storage of energy used in renewable technologies. SmartSpark's goal is to facilitate the mainstream adoption of green technologies, including electric and hybrid vehicles, advanced batteries and ultracapacitors, solar panels, and fuel cells, by providing products that make these technologies safer, more efficient, and longer lasting. SmartSpark Energy Systems has licensed several technologies from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Laboratories at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
SoCore Energy LLC
SoCore Energy LLC is a solar energy system developer headquartered in Chicago. SoCore sells solar power to businesses through installation of portable rooftop photovoltaic facilities on customer rooftops that contrast with the fixed nature of current solar installations. Customers of SoCore are commercial purchasers of electricity who stand to benefit from reducing their peak electric bill by way of a solar power purchasing contract, hedging their costs against future electricity price uncertainty, and seeing the benefits of a posistive, pro-alternative energy marketing message to their customers.
Turbulent Energy
Turbulent Energy is a technology licensing firm with a portfolio of seminal patents to dramatically increase the production of kinetic energy for intensive mixing, blending, activating, and separating of liquids and/or gases. Turbulent's efforts to commercialize the technology focus on two applications: combustion improvement and the de-oiling of water. In the race to develop higher performing engines with lower emissions, Turbulent's innovation is a possible "game changer."
