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TSA looks for commercial software to manage Secure Flight
Managing the long -- very long -- No Fly and Terror Watch lists is not a simple task; TSA is looking to purchase commercial software to help manage its Secure Flight program which checks the information airlines collect about passengers against DHS terrorist watch lists
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Michigan's billion-dollar experiment in diversifying state's economy yields mixed results
In 2006 Michigan embarked on a bold experiment to save its economy: making loans to fledgling companies, investing money in venture capital firms and awarding millions in grants to university professors and nonprofit groups; the project's record is mixed, and some of the goals are yet to be achieved, but supporters say it is too early to judge the results
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The boom (or is it a bubble?) in federal cybersecurity
The Obama administration and Congress are allocating more funds to cybersecurity; much of that new spending, estimated at $6 to $7 billion annually just in unclassified work, is focused on the Washington region, as the federal government consolidates many of its cybersecurity-focused agencies in the area; some VCs warn of a cybersecurity bubble
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TrendMarket for first responders, law enforcement robotics to see robust growth
Market for first responders and law enforcement robotics reached $203.1 million in 2009; it is anticipated to reach $3.7 billion by 2016; market growth will come as border patrols and law enforcement agencies use robots to achieve broader security in a less expensive manner
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Intellectual Ventures: A genuine path breaker or a patent troll?
Intellectual Ventured has amassed 30,000 patents, spent more than $1 million on lobbying last year, and its executives have contributed more than $1 million to Democratic and Republican candidates and committees; the company says it wants to build a robust, efficient market for “invention capital”; critics charge that some of its practices are closer to that of a patent troll
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TrendUtilities to bolster smart grid cybersecurity
Annual spending on cybersecurity by electric utilities will triple by 2015, driven by investment in equipment protection and configuration management; between 2010 and 2015, Utility companies will invest more than $21 billion on cybersecurity
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Science & BusinessIrish government urged to heed entrepreneurs to rebuild economy
An Irish scientist and entrepreneur urges to government must do more to protect investment in research to encourage the creation of ‘‘world class’’ Irish companies; Donald Fitzmaurice said there were three ‘‘key enabling technologies’’ in the world -- biotechnology, nanotechnology, and information and communications technology. ‘‘They are important on their own but when they converge, they open up new important possibilities, such as new materials, artificial intelligence, modified biological entities"
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Nuclear mattersWorld heading for a uranium crunch
Nuclear power has become more attractive as a result of fluctuating oil prices and growing concerns about the environment; trouble is, the world is running out of uranium
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Company in the newsAxxana, a data storage and recovery specialist raises $9 million
Axxana, an Israeli developer of data disaster recovery solutions, has raised $9 million in Series B funding; Carmel Ventures led the round, and was joined by return backers Gemini Israel Funds and serial investor Moshe Yanai
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Financing infrastructureCalls Come for 'Programmatic' P3 Approach
Stakeholders in the market push for programmatic, rather than project-by-project, approach to financing infrastructure through public-private partnerships; "The cycle of infrastructure investment is ongoing since aging toll roads, hospitals, airports, and energy facilities need to be maintained and eventually replaced,” said Jennifer Tennant, assistant vice president for Moody’s
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TrendGrowing investments in smart grid
Investment is seen shifting from capital-intensive energy generating technologies, such as solar and wind, to those associated with energy storage, transportation and efficiency
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Technical backgroundU.K. to create largest technology fund in Europe
U.K. government's agency issued an RFP that sets out parameters for the creation of the largest technology fund in Europe; the government forecasts that this investment will be enough to create a 10-year fund worth £1 billion
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TrendInvestment in R&D sees thriving biometric markets
With security remaining a top priority at all levels of U.S. government, the biometrics market is seeing market stability and returns on their investments in R&D
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Where angels dare to tread: Angel investors profit
U.K. angel investors see substantial profit; a study of 1,080 investments -- more than half were directed at early-stage pre-revenue start-ups -- show that: 56 percent of investments made a loss; 44 percent led to positive returns; 9 percent generated more than 10-times the capital invested; the average internal rate of return (IRR) was 22 percent over four years
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Calm amid the stormFinancial crisis offers opportunities for start-ups
A world of failing corporate titans and changing government policy is chaotic, but chaos creates opportunity and leaner times bring focus; savvy and nimble start-ups are in a position to exploit the situation
The Long View
AnalysisUranium is good investment
Many analysts, disoriented by the fall of uranium prices from $130+ to about $45 a pound, fail to notice that the fundamentals of the uranium market have not changed
