2011 promises to be an exciting year at STAR TEC! We are developing some new programs and events that are sure to enhance our impact on our local entrepreneurial community.

By George Shand, President & CEO      

TruLiance, LLC

           As hard as it may be to define what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, the true serial entrepreneur is an even rarer breed. 

            There are differing views of what makes a serial entrepreneur unique.  In fact, it's even been studied at the university level.  As quoted in a 2009 article in Entrepreneur, Clemson University Professor Wayne Stewart says that serial entrepreneurs are bigger risk takers, more achievement-oriented and have a higher preference for innovation - and he believes they are born that way! 

            Stewart adds that serial entrepreneurism is more than just an interesting occurrence; it's an important economic and social trend.  He estimates that about one-third of all new ventures are initiated by serial entrepreneurs and their firms tend to be larger.  His belief is that these higher success rates are fueled by their earlier entrepreneurial experiences and the ability to leverage a wider network of customers, suppliers, partners and funders.

To read the entire article Click Here. 

TEC Talk is a monthly breakfast, networking and education event specifically tailored for Tampa Bay's technology entrepreneurship community. 

Next month's program will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 8, at Microsoft, 5426 Bay Center Dr., 7th floor, Tampa 33607.

Watch for details in next week's TEC Talk email announcement.

Did you miss January's TEC Talk with Charles Armstrong, founder and CEO of SPARK LABS? View the PodCast on our website.   

STAR TEC is pleased to announce its Memorandum of Understanding with the University of South Florida, which establishes a partnership with the University of South Florida to support an entrepreneurial ecosystem for technology startups in the Tampa Bay region.

STAR TEC will join with USF's Tampa Bay Technology Incubator Network and USF CONNECT program, designed to create new technology businesses, develop public/private research and business relationships and support workforce and economic development.  Elements of the collaboration include:

· Create/enhance an entrepreneurial support system for local technology startups

· Encourage research collaborations for USF faculty and clients

· Deliver and promote technology entrepreneurship seminars

· Promote and participate in each other's events

· Provide opportunities for faculty and student assistance to clients

· Extend STAR TEC's mentorship network to USF's Incubator Network clients

To read the entire article click here   

Field Forensics, (www.fieldforensics.com),

a STAR TEC client since 2008, has recently added its line of FAST (Forensic Aroma Sensing Technology) products to its range of explosives detection devices to detect explosives in cargo shipments.

Referred to as a "canine in a can," Field Forensics' FAST products rely on knowledge developed through K-9 research at Florida International University's Forensic Science Lab that emulates how a dog's nose and brain identify odors. The FAST provides a Neat Odor Signature or NOSe, which is a more consistent and always available methodology that allows the analysis of the complete odor signature rather than relying on detection of just the explosives particles themselves. This is particularly important in dealing with packages that are well-wrapped and would not allow explosives particles to escape.

To read the entire article Click Here.