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From: Bill Cone, Director, Coastal Bend Business Innovation Center (INNOVATION CENTER), Texas A&M
University-Corpus Christi
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To: Pedro Garza, Regional Director, Economic Development Administration (EDA); Jorge Ayala, Area
Director, Economic Development Administration ; Jessica Falk, Senior Program Specialist, Economic
Development Administration
Subject: Summary Biannual Progress Report, EDA Award Number: 08-66-04885 Coastal Bend Business
Innovation Center - University Center Program
Project Name :
University Center Program
Award # - 08-66-04885
Project
Manager:
Project
Description:
Report Period: August 1, 2013 – January 31, 2014
Bill Cone
Contact
Information:
(361) 825-3530 william.cone@tamucc.edu
Investment Funds for the University Center Economic Development Program at Texas A&M
University-Corpus Christi.

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The Coastal Bend Business Innovation Center serves as a catalyst for innovative ideas by guiding the entrepreneurial process supporting the creation of sustainable, successful Coastal Bend businesses.
Jobs-Client Companies
52 Applications 2013
464 1 Full Time, Indirect, Induced jobs
119 Full Time Employment (FTE)
42 Volunteers
Full Time Employees- Innovation Center
Director, Incubator Manager, Program Coordinator,
Administrative Assistant, Receptionist (Part Time)
Student Employees
1 Graduate Assistant
1 Graduate Associate
3 Research Associates 1
4 Interns
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Not interested
3
Referred 2
34
Soft-landing
3
Preincubation
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5
Incubation
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Current!Clients!
Total!Clients!Since!
Inception!
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Total!Direct!Jobs!(FTE)!
Contractors!
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1 !Based!upon!“IMPLAN”!multiplier!of!direct!jobs!
2 !Referrals!were!to!Small!Business!Development!Center!

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Acceleration,!
1!
PreS incubation,!5!
!$4,624,705!!
!$4,493,316!!
!$5,000,000!!
!$4,000,000!!
!$2,709,352!!
!$2,472,756!!
!$3,000,000!!
!$2,000,000!!
!$1,000,000!!
!$S!!!!
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SoftSlanding,!
2!
incubation,!22!
!$1,520,000!!
!$1,500,000!!
!$1,480,000!!
!$1,460,000!!
!$1,440,000!!
!$1,420,000!!
!$1,400,000!!
!$1,380,000!!
!$1,436,909!!
01/01/12!S!
12/31/12!
!$1,517,109!!
01/1/13!
S1/31/14!

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August 2013
Four Texas A&M University students were hired for the fall 2013 Internship Program. Students were responsible for carrying out four main initiatives: videos about different program offerings, an annual calendar of events including program offerings, developing the 2013 Entrepreneur Week, and our client data call.
After the Internship period, three of the interns were hired as student research assistants.
Client companies, staff, and advisory board members from the INNOVATION CENTER attended several different workshop sessions conducted by Dr. Kent Byus and Dr.
Scott Sherman of the College of Business.
Dr. Sherman in a coaching session at the INNOVATION CENTER
ScorGolf, the first accelerator client of the INNOVATION
CENTER, raised significant equity capital and greatly improved its web and e-commerce sites with the assistance of the Center and its resources.

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The INNOVATION CENTER received a special item, revenue neutral appropriation from the State of Texas of $550,000 for the fiscal years of 2014 and 2015. This represented a $50,000 annual increase over prior funding levels.
The Community Action Corporation of South Texas signed up for our pre-incubation program after seeing our advertisement in the Caller Times. Two representatives attended 6 sessions to accelerate and innovate new programs planned for their organization.
The INNOVATION CENTER received a “ University Center ” grant for $102,590 annually for the fiscal years
2014-2018 from the Economic Development Administration.
September 2013
Texas A&M University Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) applied to the Federal Aviation Administration to become one of six test sites nationally for the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles into civilian and military air space. TAMUCC selected the INNOVATION CENTER ’ s facility as the command and control center for this initiative.
The Student Economic Association and Finance Student Association from Texas A&M Corpus Christi visited the INNOVATION CENTER. The Incubator Manager informed students about the services provided and the client accomplishments achieved at the location.
The client company Arana Water Technologies, completed 4 patents for water and air treatment, and it is in the process to file its 5th patent for refinery wastewater desalination.
The client company Hydro Enviro Clean received a license agreement from Temple University of
Philadelphia for an all-natural process to remove metals from fracking water backflow and crude oil.

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October 2013
The INNOVATION CENTER has developed an annual strategic plan with the help of the Community Advisory
Board.
Thanks to an EDA construction grant of $1.4, million the INNOVATION CENTER held a grand Opening
Celebration for its “ Go-Green Center ” . The Ribbon Cutting was done by Dr. John Gamble, Dean of the
College of Business; Dr. Flavius Killebrew, President of Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and his wife
Kathy; Nelda Martinez, Mayor of Corpus Christi; Bill Cone, Director of the INNOVATION CENTER; and Todd
Hunter, State Representative. To watch the video follow the link: http://www.kristv.com/videos/businessinnovation-center-expansion/
The INNOVATION CENTER held its first annual Entrepreneur
Week from October 1 st to October 3 rd , 2013. Events were offered to encourage entrepreneurship around the Coastal Bend area. Client companies displayed their products and services to special guests from the area during the events. The
INNOVATION CENTER hosted over 180 attendees for the events.
Ribbon Cutting ceremony at the Grand Opening
One of the events was the first ever Coastal Bend Shark Tank. During the event, 6 entrepreneurs pitched their innovative businesses to judges and potential investors and other interested parties. Participants included: InnerGeo, Hydro Enviro Clean, Ergo Voice, ScorGolf, Hi Pheels, and Sirena Water Wear. Through a live poll, attendees voted through their mobile devices for their favorite pitch, which was Hydro Enviro
Clean.
On October 2 the INNOVATION CENTER graduated the first 4 client companies in the history of the program. Graduated companies are: Rugged Cycles, Amistad Community Health Centers, Risper ’ s Signature, and Great Sage, Inc.

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As committed in the University Center grant application, an informative package has been developed for the Pre-incubation program at the INNOVATION CENTER. This was to enhance marketing efforts.
The San Antonio Business Journal published updated information about the Lone Star Unmanned Aircraft Systems Initiative. According to the journal, high expectations have been set for the unmanned aerial command and control center to become the main center statewide. Follow the link to read the full article: http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/blog/morningedition/2013/10/texas-am-corpus-christi-vying-for-new.html
Entrepreneur showing his product from Hi Pheels
David Fonseca, Incubator Manager from the INNOVATION CENTER, attended the NBIA ’ s 23 rd Training
Institute in Fort Worth, Texas, learning more about incubation best practices.
A calendar of events has been developed and placed online and physically displayed at the location. It is posted weekly or as needed with report disclosures, educational offerings, events, conferences, meetings, birthdays, and timesheet due dates for student assistants.
The INNOVATION CENTER staff attended the Eagle Ford Shale Consortium Fall Conference held in Corpus
Christi in late October. The event served as a networking opportunity for the Center and for attendees from all over the region.
November 2013
David Fonseca, Incubator Manager, completed the Incubator
Management Certificate Program provided by the National Business
Incubation Association (NBIA). The certification included 24 hours of training in financial sustainability strategies, guidelines to funding startups, strategic planning, efficient marketing strategies for incubators, and facilities management.
Terry Koehler giving a pitch about his company
ScorGolf
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On November 20, local channel KZTV-10 featured the services provided by INNOVATION CENTER client companies Hydro Enviro Clean and Arana Water Technologies. These companies treat water backflow from
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the fracking process, produced water from oil and gas wells, wastewater from refineries and municipalities.
In so doing, they will reduce the cost of oil and gas drilling, production and refining, and make municipal wastewater safer for reuse, while conserving a precious resource. See the complete video at http://www.kztv10.com/news/companies-start-recycling-water-for-oil-companies/#_
Hydro Enviro Clean, a client company from the INNOVATION CENTER raised $128,000 in equity in the year
2013.
Client company Third Coast Controls produced a sales increase in excess of 200% between July and
November 2013.
The INNOVATION CENTER accepted American Aerospace Advisors,
Inc. as a soft-landing client. This company provides customers with high-quality and affordable surveillance equipment with an unmanned aerial vehicle system that serves multiple purposes including security, emergency response, advertisement, news and research.
The INNOVATION CENTER developed a new marketing plan for
2013-2014. The plan is targeted to small business owners and entrepreneurs wanting assistance developing their innovative ideas into successful businesses. The plan includes community outreach through speaking sessions, participation at events, and social media marketing. Since the implementation of the social media plan, the
Facebook audience has increased by 128%.

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December 2013
As stated in the University Center application, the INNOVATION CENTER searched for, interviewed, and hired Chau Hoang for the new position of Program Coordinator. She has an undergraduate major in international business and a master ’ s degree in business administration. She almost 2 years of prior experience with the INNOVATION CENTER and 3 years experience with IBM Vietnam, where she worked as a procurement strategic specialist.
The INNOVATION CENTER offered the opportunity to Texas A&M University Corpus Christi students to apply to the internship program for spring 2014. The Program is offered to all motivated and dedicated students who are in good standing with TAMUCC and have achieved a GPA of 3.4 and above.
Program coordinator Chau Hoang, completed certification from Wendy Kennedy Inc for their pre-incubation model now used by the INNOVATION CENTER.
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The INNOVATION CENTER received the support from the EDA to purchase a 3D printer. The purchase allows the organization to expand the services offered to client companies and outsiders interested in prototyping their products. Ergo Voice Inc, is the first company to use the device to print a prototype of the case for its wireless microphone transmitter.
Texas A&M University Corpus Christi was designated as on of the 6 test sites nationally by the Federal
Aviation Administration to conduct research for the integration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles into civilian and military airspace. The INNOVATION CENTER facility is headquarters for the Lone Star Unmanned
Aircraft Systems Center of Excellence & Innovation (LSUASC). This project will have an enormous economic impact on Texas over the next 10 years by creating an estimated of 1,200 jobs with an economic impact of $8 billion statewide and $260 million for South Texas.
Arana Water Technologies, a client company from the INNOVATION CENTER was awarded a desalination project contract for the Republic of Marshall Islands and is awaiting a final purchase order.

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The INNOVATION CENTER launched its Venture Mentorship Program for clients who need additional assistance with their businesses. Through mentorship sessions, clients have access to a diversified team of industry experts from more than 10 industry clusters. Mentors and clients are expected to commit 2 hours per month for at least 6 months. The effectiveness of the program is evaluated through milestone accomplishments, interactions between mentors and clients, and compliance with procedures and standards.
The INNOVATION CENTER redesigned its service model and programs. As a result a new website was launched with the assistance of student employees and our client company
Ensemble Group. The new website is part of the campaign to enhance the INNOVATION CENTER ’ s image and improve outreach. As part of this process, a group of technical writing Student employees at the graduation day students from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi identified ways of improving search engine optimization and website navigation. To see the redesigned website visit at: http://innovation4texas.com
6 student employees from the INNOVATION CENTER finished their studies at Texas A&M University Corpus
Christi. Degrees achieved include 5 Masters in Business Administration and 1 BBA in Accounting. Steven
Tran, who received his BBA in accounting, was promoted to Graduate Assistant while he pursues a Masters in Accounting.
David Fonseca, Incubator Manager from the INNOVATION CENTER, was asked to present at program for business incubators for the 3 rd Latin American Congress on Business Incubation held in Monterrey, Mexico.
Based on the reviews, Mr. Fonseca was invited to become a member of the training team for the National
Business Incubation Association (NBIA).
January 2014
A new website has been developed for the EDA-University Center Vibrant Economy Hub. The new layout eases the reading process and navigation throughout the site, and is completely updated. This was

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accomplished ahead of the UC grant schedule. Visit the new website http://innovation4texas.com/eda2014/.
The Coastal Bend Business Plan Competition announced the 2014 semi-finalists for Phase II of the contest.
Among the semifinalists there are 23 students from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and 3 clients from the INNOVATION CENTER. Those clients are Arana Water Technologies LLC, KeyLate solutions LLC, a graduate of our Pre-incubation program, and The AVA Method a new incubation program client.
The dean of the college of business (COB), the chair of marketing, and a professor of management from
TAMUCC along with the director and incubator manager from the INNOVATION CENTER attended the
United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) Conference 2014 in Fort
Worth, Texas. The conference focused on best practices for entrepreneurship instruction. The information will assist with the development of a new entrepreneurial track at the TAMUCC COB which is being setup for Fall 2014.
BillCutterz, a client company from the INNOVATION CENTER, was featured on the Diane Sawyer ’ s show on
ABC news in prime time. As result, BilCutterz received over 6,000 online sign ups within 2 hours of the broadcast. BillCutterz saves people money on their monthly bills including utilities, telephone, cable,
Internet, and others.
The INNOVATION CENTER kicks off its community outreach program with presentations to a Kiwanis Club and Rotary Club in Corpus Christi. The director and incubator manager introduced the concept of business incubation, the opportunities and services provided by the organization, and asked for referrals.
Completition of the Salesforce integration as the primary software platform at the INNOVATION CENTER has been completed. Salesforce implementation began in 2013 as an idea to merge all activities performed within the organization into a single database. Activities such as applications, job requests, reports, milestones, internal chat, and clients and staff information are tracked and managed through this cloud-computing software.

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The Incubator Manager from the INNOVATION CENTER joined the
Young Business Professionals in Corpus Christi as a board member of the organization.
Ergo Voice Inc., a client company from the INNOVATION CENTER signed a product development contract with NASA ’ s Johnson
Space Center and Jacob Engineering to do third party verifications on its technology and recommendations on how to improve the device.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) visited the An Unmanned Aircraft System performing a test flight
INNOVATION CENTER to learn about the progress at the Lone Star UAV Center.
INNOVATION CENTER was granted an affiliate membership to the Alliance Texas Angel Network (ATAN).
The Angel Investor Program of the INNOVATION CENTER is expected to begin in the first quarter 2014.
INNOVATION CENTER received its first international applicant, Jomeo. The company is based in Denmark and specializes in a cloud-based software that enables people with no programming or design skills to create high quality native applications for smartphones and tablets at lower costs than current methods.
They wish to enter the US market with their product and are considering the Innovation Center as their point of entry.
We began implementation of Lifeplan, a client accountability and engagement software, with 4 client companies. 3 of them are semifinalists in the Coastal Bend Business Plan Competition.
Students from the masters in accounting program at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi began the analysis of 2 client companies from the INNOVATION CENTER as part of their capstone graduation project.
They will conclude their analysis with a report to the companies ’ management.
Plans are set for 1 company, 3 students from TAMUCC, and, for the first time, research coming out of the TAMUCC to join the Pre-incubation Program starting in February. Two local banks will sponsor scholarships for 2 of the students in the program.

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Incubator Manager from the INNOVATION CENTER is invited to instruct at the NBIA ’ s 28 th International
Conference on Business Incubation to take place May 18-21 in New Orleans. 600 business incubator managers and economic development professionals are expected to attend this important event.
ScorGolf products are rated as the top wedges tested, by major industry publications such as Golf Digest and Golf Magazine.
BillCutterz was also featured on a Fox Business News national broadcast.
INNOVATION CENTER accepted The AVA Method as an incubation client. The AVA Method provides a cloud-based platform that is secure, simple, smart, and enhances collaboration for sophisticated event planners and consultants.
Sub-See Adventures, a client company from the INNOVATION CENTER completed 100% funding enabling
Sub-See to launch its eco-tourism, underwater submarine viewing experience in Jamaica. The company raised over $2 million for its innovative idea.
The INNOVATION CENTER accepted Balboa Map Company as a soft-landing client. Balboa Map Company develops and markets innovative information products derived from aerial and satellite imagery for farm, ranch, and timber management.
Receive 20 or more applications
Identify 5 more residents clients by the end of the period.
Create at least 26 more full time jobs.
Client revenue generation by the end of the fiscal year ending July 31 should exceed 5.5 million.
Provide at least 4 educational offerings.
Hire Office Coordinator.

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Attend NBIA conference, meeting/workshops by regional partners to seek chances to improve regional collaboration.
Continue implementation of community outreach plan.
Develop marketing packages for program offerings.
Compile, update, and disseminate regional economic and industry data for the regional community.
Client revenue generation for 2013 was projected to exceed $5 million. Several clients fell short of their revenue predictions for 2013. As a result, the combined client revenues totaled approximately $4.5 million. We are working with our clients to better understand revenue forecasts. Early indications show that there is a good possibility we will catch up with our projections for the reminder of the year.
We had planned 3 educational offerings for the last quarter of 2013. However the delayed completion on construction forced us to push this to 2014 due to the lack of facility space. We have held one in the
February and another one is planned in March.
We felt one short of our job creation target for this last reporting period. With the pace of hiring by current clients we believe as many as 26 FTEs will be created before our next reporting period.
We have obtained scholarship commitments from two area financial institutions to fund the pre-incubation costs for applicants from low to moderate-income households in Kleberg, Jim Wells, and Nueces counties.
This will help us increase awareness of our programs in rural areas of our region.
We are taking steps to create a formal angel investor organization to fill a significant gap in the entrepreneurial eco-system of the Coastal Bend region. On April 3 rd , 2014 we will host a meeting an organizational meeting for this purpose.