Partner Spotlight - Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc.

This month, our Partner Spotlight highlights a resource aimed at opening the door for start-ups and entrepreneurs in early stage Biotechnology, Information Technology, and Renewable Energy companies by offering office and wet lab space, business services, and strategic support to local entrepreneurs.

"The Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI)

is Frederick’s first and only business incubator, and one of about

1,400 across the United States."

 

We heard from Kathie Callahan-Brady, FITCI's CEO who shared some history and future plans for the incubator.

1.  What is the mission of your organization? 

FITCI is a business incubator and accelerator created to encourage innovation and accelerate the development of businesses in Frederick. We know how critical it is to be supported by other CEO's and how hard it is to start and run a business. Which is why FITCI is led by a CEO as well as advised, guided and governed by seasoned CEO's. Our promise is to provide scientists and entrepreneurs who need direction to grow their business, tough love from proven growth fanatics so you can confidently take the next step to graduate. We have created a place where we want to grow our own businesses.

2. What are your top priorities?

Our priorities focus on programs that directly affect our clients' growth and their bottom line. From the strategic growth and advisory boards to the investment committee, all are designed to scale businesses. Focus is taken to capture Lessons Learned and then made available to FITCI members. We are in the process of revitalizing our Metropolitan Court location with new technology, equipment and new labs. A second FITCI location in Downtown Frederick at 118 N. Market Street is already underway.

Artists rendering of new incubator at 118 N. Market Street

3. How did the organization get started/tell us some history about your organization.

FITCI has a great history beginning 12 years ago at Hood College with a goal in mind to grown businesses in the local community. FITCI moved to Metropolitan Court 10 years ago and have served over 100 companies producing over 230 jobs for Frederick and generating over $26M annual revenues. FITCI remains connected to the local community and colleges.

4. Can you share any upcoming events or news about your organization?

Our Promotions committee is working hard to put together an exciting array of events. Our recent quarterly "Celebration Friday" kicked off with success stories from past FITCI companies including:

• RoosterBio raising $5.1M in capital along with their announcement to graduate.
• Trideum Bioscience's Dr. Mina Izadjoo won the first-place award for "Innovation in  North America" Award for the company's contributions for improving treatment of antibiotic resistsant pathogens.
• NEO's Technology, an application development and solutions provider of web-based enterprise solutions will also be graduating from FITCI in 2017. 
• TimberRock Energy Solutions graduated last August into beautiful Downtown Frederick and recently won the "Bright Lights Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship" for their work towards more accessible energy solutions.

“We’ve received strong support from both Frederick City and

Frederick County as we launched and expanded our clean energy services

across the Mid-Atlantic. Specifically, in our early-days, FITCI provided us

the top-notch, professional facilities we needed as we met with some of the

largest companies in the Fortune 500 and worked to earn their business. 

Now that we’re in Downtown Frederick, we enjoy being able to host those

same customers in a vibrant and dynamic business center.”  

                                                                      TimberRock CEO Brent Hollenbeck

                                                                                                     
 FITCI's Investment committee recently launched "Reality Check", modeled after the popular ABC program, Shark Tank. Reality Check is a friendlier version of the program designed to help startups get ready to pitch for funding. Like its name, the FITCI program provides entrepreneurs with a Reality Check before they take their pitch on the road to prospective investors. The Reality Check panel is composed of experienced professionals from the regions venture capital ecosystem.

Reality Check Panel

Lastly, stay tuned for the: 

1. Ft. Detrick Tech Showcase planned for September 9th.
2. The celebration and opening of our revitalized biotech incubator along with additional lab space.
3. The grand opening of the 2nd location of FITCI in beautiful Downtown Frederick

5. What type of companies are best positioned to take advantage of your services?

FITCI is designed exclusivley for startups and businesses who are looking to drastically scale their business. Our members are performance based, looking to drive better decisions and looking for results.

"FITCI offers fully furnished office space, wet labs with
ample work space and a shared Common Lab to help get your
company up and running quickly." 

If you go: FITCI

4539 Metropolitan Court, Frederick, MD 21704    Map it!

301-694-2999

New location coming soon!

118 N. Market Street

Frederick, MD 21701

Downtown Hotel at Carroll Creek Moves Forward

Recently the Mayor and Board of Aldermen unanimously approved $5.0 million in capital grants from the State of Maryland for the construction of public infrastructure to support the development of a full-service, 183-room hotel with meeting space and public parking in Downtown Frederick along Carroll Creek Park.  The hotel project agreements will ultimately go to the Maryland Board of Public Works for approval.  A Master Development and Funding Agreement will also be drafted for the Mayor and Board to review and approve before any funds are expended on the public parking project. The Developer, Plamondon Hospitality Partners, will be responsible for the construction costs for the hotel and meeting space, as well as ongoing maintenance and operations costs.

Last Wednesday, the project team presented the plans for the project to the City’s Historic Preservation Commission for initial review. The HPC moved that the Birely building currently located on the proposed project site is a contributing resource and of unusual importance. Accordingly, several workshops will be needed to review all aspects of this project before the HPC renders a final decision on the application for demolition of the structure. 

All meetings and workshops are public and the schedule can be found on the city website.

As well, documents and information related to the project can be found at the City's website or on the Hotel website. 

James M. Stockman Cancer Institute Opens July 31, 2017

Another major project is nearing completion; the James M. Stockman Cancer Institute will open for patients on Monday July 31. The new, state of the art institute will replace the existing Regional Cancer Therapy Center on 7^th Street.

The Frederick Regional Health System has made major investments in technology with the new facility with new equipment in CyberKnife, Radiation Therapy and Imaging, but more importantly, they have created better systems and focused on better processes to improve operations and patient experience.

The majority of their cancer services (Oncology Care Consultants, Center for Chest Disease, and FRHS CyberKnife Center) are moving to the new building. The Center for Breast Care will remain at FMH Crestwood. 

The new institute was built with an optimal healing environment, with internal, external, interpersonal and behavioral focus to facilitate an innate healing process. Close attention was paid to the physical environment that patients will experience going forward.

The design and construction included the use of  color, light, artwork, landscaping, privacy and soundproofing. All of these elements are present to support and create a positive experience for cancer patients and their families.

Other amenities that will be offered include:

•    Physicians, nurse navigators, social workers and financial counselors will provide support and coordination to the patients during each visit
•    Discharge processes, appointment scheduling, testing and any other follow up will be scheduled and explained by patient service coordinators in the exam room before the patient and family leave. Plans of care are important to patients and staff will make sure they are understandable and well organized.
•    Newly created "on stage/off stage" clinical design supporting patient privacy and staff confidentiality...staff work in the center of the building, not visible to patients receiving treatment.
•    All physicians and all staff have received additional training regarding self-care and positive interpersonal interactions with one another.
• The simple belief is that Happy Staff will support Happy Patients.

You can read more about the Cancer Institute on the FRHS website.