Two Chapel Hill, two Charlotte and one Durham startup companies are the latest recipients in grants from NC IDEA, an economic development group based in Durham.
The five firms received some $192,000 in non-dilutive grants.
Some 175 companies from 24 counties across North Carolina applied for the grants, and the five recipients were selected from among 11 finalists. The selection process took four months.
Bootsuite received the largest amount at $40,300.
Cell Microsystems received $39.600.
Clinical Sensors was awarded $37.500.
InfoSense received $38,000.
MailVU landed $37,500.
More information about the recipients:
• BoostSuite.com, which is based in Durham, is focused on web marketing optimization for small businesses. The product suite is designed to generate more online visitors and business leads. “Unlike current web marketing optimization products that bewilder and discourage small business users, BoostSuite takes only three minutes to set up, is easy to learn, and can be used by anyone,” the company says.
• Cell Microsystems, a Chapel Hill based startup, is developing research tools with the purpose of accelerating medical discovery. Its first product, IsoRaft System, is for cell sorting and cell separation.
• Clinical Sensors, which also is based in Chapel Hill, is developing and commercializing nitric oxide sensors for use in monitoring of serious medical conditions. Its technology is based on selective sensor membranes and lab-on-a-chip technologies that “enable early risk assessment of diseases and health conditions.” The company wants to develop and launch a new point-of-care device for sepsis risk assessment.
• InfoSense, a Charlotte-based firm, focuses on cleantech with acoustice sensing technology that it believes will boost toe wastewater collection industry. “The technology drastically improves the efficiency of assessing pipes for blockages,” the company says.
• MailVU, which also is based in Charlotte, is an online video platform designed to help companies with video marketing through outbound messaging and distribution, incoming customer testimonials, contents and hosting as well as embedding services.
NC IDEA launched the grant program in 2006, awarding some $2.3 million to 62 companies.
The next grant program will begin in February.
NC IDEA, a non-profit, is affiliated with IDEA Fund Partners, a venture capital firm. Both are based in Durham.
Get the latest news alerts: Follow WRAL Tech Wire at Twitter.
