NMSS - Why Metro NM: Business Friendly Climate

Why Metro NM: Partnership & Commercialization

shawna — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 12:57:25 -0600

Partnership Opportunities

From commercialization agreements with the national laboratories to research affiliations with university departments, Metro New Mexico's robust science and technology community bolster industry clusters. Venture capitalists have discovered the abundant talent here in the form of technology-oriented entrepreneurs. Many companies find their start in an incubator or research park.

Both of New Mexico's two national laboratories have executed multiple Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA) and other programs as part of their mission to deliver research products to private industry.

CRADA (Cooperative Research & Development Agreement): Sandia and partner(s) collaborate on a joint R&D project.
State-funded assistance program: Sandia gives up to $10,000/year worth of technical advice and assistance to small businesses throughout the state.
Commercial License Agreement: Sandia conveys intellectual property rights to a non-Federal partner (licensee).
Entrepreneurial Separation to Transfer Technology (ESTT) program offers Sandia scientists and engineers the opportunity to help start a company.
Funds In Agreement (FIA): Sandia is reimbursed for work done for a non-Federal entity sponsor.
Designated Capability (DC) Agreement: Sandia develops generic documentation for various FIAs.
User Facility (UF) Agreement: A non-Federal entity sponsor uses Sandia resources or facilities to conduct scientific or technical research.

Commercialization Programs

Sandia National Laboratories
- works with industry to accelerate technology commercialization through Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs)
- helps small business through its Small Business Assistance Program, which received a boost in the 2000 Legislature.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
- has an active program for technology commercialization and technical assistance, including CRADAs
- partners with small businesses to bring new products and processes to market
- provides technical assistance, personnel exchange, technology development, maturation projects, and training in business skills through its Small Business Initiative.
Technology Ventures Corporation

aids in the commercialization of technology generated by New Mexico's federal laboratories and research universities.

Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute
- is one of the nation's largest independent research organization
- is only national institute focused solely on respiratory health
- facilitates transfer of LRRI technologies to the private sector and ensures their intellectual property protection through the LRRI's Technology Transfer Office.
Science and Technology Corporation @ UNM
- commercializes intellectual property and licenses technology created at the University of New Mexico
- manages the Science and Technology Park at UNM.
- In 2006 the STC granted 25 new licenses to private companies, leading to 8 new startup businesses in 2007
- In the 2007 fiscal year UNM earned $719,000 from technologies licensed for use of private companies
- STC licenses have led to the creation of 32 new companies and nearly 400 jobs since 1996
Technology Research Collaborative
- acts as a resource and helps generate momentum for both public and private sector entities interested in new job creation in the technology sector.

Why Metro NM: Other Advantages

shawna — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 14:48:36 -0600

Other Advantages

Build to Suit

All the communities in Metro New Mexico will help deliver a building quickly, even where no building exists. For example, Sprint PCS' 90,000-square-foot building in Rio Rancho was ready for occupancy in 82 days. In contrast to the typical process of architect design and bidding out construction, the design/build approach:

brings the sub-contractors into the design process
uses contractor insights and shared perspectives at the design stage to get the building underway fast
gets the building built right
is characterized by a single point of responsibility
includes assistance with permitting and fast-track applications.

To learn more about Build-to-Suit opportunities for a particular area, please contact the Alliance Member for that community.

International Trade

New Mexico's exports to Mexico and other countries continue to increase. To strengthen international trade relations with Mexico, the European Union and Asia, the Office of Economic Development established the International Trade Division (ITD) in 2004.

The division helps Albuquerque companies sell goods and services, particularly scientific and technical services, in foreign markets and attract foreign investment into Albuquerque.

Foreign Trade Zones

Albuquerque and Rio Rancho have Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) near their business districts and distribution facilities.

Since merchandise in a FTZ is considered outside U.S. Customs territory, FTZs have many benefits, such as:

eliminating duty on subsequently transshipped, re-exported, or destroyed goods
reducing duty on manipulated, processed, assembled, or manufactured goods
deferring duty on goods until they leave the zone

Further information on exporting, border issues, NAFTA, and New Mexico's export trade record are available online.

New Mexico 9000

The NM 9000 program is a year-long, affordable prep course for companies wishing to qualify ISO 9001:2000. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international certification and standard for quality-management practices. The demand for such certification grows yearly as the global economy becomes more integrated.

Since the state program started in 2000, 101 companies have graduated; of those, about 25 have gone on to obtain certification.

Why Metro NM: Trade Associations

shawna — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 14:38:53 -0600

Trade Associations

Many trade associations offer channels to local business resources by promoting growth, expansion, and vital industry networking.

Kachina Chapter of Society for Technical Communication-The New Mexico Kachina Chapter is part of the Society for Technical Communication (STC). Our local chapter covers the Central/Northern New Mexico area, including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Los Alamos.
New Mexico Biotechnology and Biomedical Association-With over 40 local participants, NMBBA provides community for the industry, pursues commercialization of life science ideas and provides a focal point for identifying resources necessary to promote the growth of bioscience businesses.
New Mexico Information Technology and Software Association-NMITSA is a nationally-recognized information technology and software leader and provides focused, value-added services and initiatives to both industry and associate members.
New Mexico Optics Industry Association -NMOIA is dedicated to bringing together optics-related businesses, institutions, and professionals to foster the growth of this very important industry in New Mexico.
New Mexico Venture Capital Association -NMVCA works toward representing the state's growing capital investment industry with a single, unified voice and to enhance the development of New Mexico's start-up business climate.
Technology Industries Association -A trade association of private technology companies, especially information technology.

Professional Associations

Advancing Productivity, Innovation, and Competitive Success Society (APICS)-offers certifications, training tools, and other educational resources to enhance performance and grow your company, bottom line.
New Mexico Industrial Development Executives Association (NMIDEA)-provides networking, professional development, education and training opportunities for its members interested in economic development in New Mexico.

List of other Professional Associations in New Mexico.

Why Metro NM: Research Facilities

shawna — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 14:17:46 -0600

Research Facilities

Metro New Mexico's unique research assets offer multiple benefits and partnerships to local business.

Albuquerque hosts:

Sandia National Laboratories
Air Force Research Lab Directed Energy Directorate
University of New Mexico, a Class I Research University with its Centers for High Technology Materials, Non-Invasive Diagnostics, and High Performance Computing among others.

Santa Fe is home to:

Los Alamos is the home of Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Research Parks & Business Incubators

Sandia Science & Technology Park is a research and industrial park near Sandia National Lab, whose tenants include EMCORE and Ktech Corporation.
Science & Technology Corporation @ UNM facilitates transfer of university inventions to the commercial market place.
The Santa Fe Business Incubator, which has grown to 30,000 square feet, has nurtured 33 companies and generated nearly 200 jobs.
WESST Corp Enterprise Center, opening in 2007, is designed to house 18-30 businesses targeted to artisan manufacturing, digital media production and "green" enterprise.

Research Affiliations

Research affiliations abound in Metro New Mexico. From small research or measurement centers within large institutions like UNM or Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB), to world-class national laboratories, the state has vast research and development resources. Check out:

Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate: Develops, integrates, and transitions science and technology for high-power microwaves, lasers, adaptive optics, imaging and effects.
Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory: Operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, the lab operates a New Mexico observatory; collects, processes and distributes data from the global network stations; and develops, tests and evaluates seismographic instrumentation.
Center for Advanced Studies: State-funded center for excellence housed within the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of New Mexico. Research focus is on tiny scales, intense fields, and complex systems.
Center for Global Environmental Technologies: Develops new technologies and engineering approaches to solve problems related to stratospheric ozone depletion and global warming.
Center for High Technology Materials: One of New Mexico's Centers of Technical Excellence, CHTM is renowned for its work in semiconductor and thin-film materials growth; high resolution fabrication, optoelectronic device design and fabrication; laser spectroscopy and laser processing of materials; semiconductor manufacturing metrology; and thin-film technologies.
Center for Micro-Engineered Materials: Hosts the National Science Foundation's Ceramic and Composite Materials Center. Research objectives are to understand and use molecular and near-molecular processes to synthesize improved ceramic materials with controlled composite structures at nano- to micro-length scales.
Earth Data Analysis Center: Provides services in geospatial data technologies.
High Performance Computing Education and Research Center: Provides supercomputing for government agencies, UNM, other academic institutions and industry.
Hydrogen Technology Partnership (HyTep): HyTeP's vision is leadership in hydrogen and fuel cell technology‚ New Mexico hopes to develop the first hydrogen-based economy in the United States.
Manufacturing Engineering Program: Offers advanced degrees in Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Mechanical and Equipment Manufacturing, and Semiconductor and Electronics Manufacturing. Degrees require industrial internships. Many courses are offered to company lab sites through instructional televisions (ITV) and satellite.
New Mexico Engineering Research Institute: The gateway to UNM's technology and intellectual assets, NMERI conducts innovative research, education, and economic development for federal, state and regional organizations, industry and foundations. NMERI has operated continuously since 1961 as the contract research arm of the University of New Mexico's School of Engineering.It has achieved national and international recognition in such fields as:
- community and business development
- sustainable development
- environmental engineering and finance
- engineering and prototype development
- modeling and analysis
- threat reduction and critical infrastructure protection
- space power and propulsion
- unconventional energy resources
- information technology
- technical communication
- professional development and training.
The Santa Fe Institute: A private, independent organization whose research seeks to understand complex systems through an interdisciplinary approach. The institute attracts internationally-known scholars, including Nobel Laureates, to Santa Fe for its workshops and research programs.

Why Metro NM: Access to Government

shawna — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 12:19:31 -0700

An open door to state & local government

New Mexico is a small community - government officials, politicians and 'can do' civil servants take constituent service seriously. It's not uncommon to have officials, whether elected or appointed, return your phone calls or emails immediately. While every government has some elements of bureaucracy, it's easier to navigate in New Mexico.

Frequently Used Government Links

Official New Mexico State Government Website

New Mexico Government Telephone Directory

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson

Senator Jeff Bingaman

Senator Pete Domenici

Congresswomen Heather Wilson

Congressman Tom Udall

Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez

Belen Mayor Ronnie Torres

Los Lunas Mayor Louis F. Huning

Moriarty Mayor Adan Encinias

Rio Rancho Mayor Kevin M. Jackson

Santa Fe Mayor David Coss

Why Metro NM: Financial Incentives

shawna — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 14:59:29 -0700

State and Local Incentives for Businesses Expanding in or Relocating to New Mexico:

Incentives for Manufacturing Companies:

Incentives for Aerospace and Aircraft Industries:

Incentives for Energy and Agriculture:

Incentives for Customer Support Centers:

Incentives for Film Production Industry:

Incentives for Rural Communities (includes Belen, Estancia Valley and Los Lunas):

Other Financial Advantages:

No inventory tax.
Franchise taxes of only $50 per year.
Cultural preservation tax credit for restoring a property on the New Mexico Register of Cultural Properties.
Lottery scholarships - free college tuition to all eligible New Mexico high school graduates.
In-state tuition at UNM and TVI for transferring families.
R&D tax reduction for services sold to out-of-state buyer for initial use.
The Severance Tax Loan Program allows the state to buy bonds of companies rated at least Baa or Bbb as long as proceeds are used to establish or expand businesses in New Mexico.
Community Development Block Grants - loans in most Metro New Mexico communities can be used for real property, equipment and construction based on hiring a certain number of low-to-moderate income employees.
Portion of Severance Tax Permanent Fund available for investment in qualified venture capital funds located in New Mexico.
Private Equity Investment Program - A portion of Severance Tax Permanent Fund available for investment in qualified venture capital funds with an office in New Mexico.
New Mexico Co-Investment Partnership - a New Mexico private equity fund managed by Fort Washington Capital Partners, which invests equity or debt capital in New Mexico-based businesses.

Why Metro NM: Access To Capital

shawna — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 14:56:06 -0700

Venture Funding

Venture capital funds, backed by matching amounts from the state of New Mexico and charged with investing in New Mexico companies, put an unprecedented $140 million into businesses around the state in 2005, and the pace of funding has increased significantly in terms of the number of venture capital deals reported - 30 companies received $121.3 million in 2007. That compares to $68.9 million invested in 27 deals in 2006, and $93 million in 17 companies in 2005, which was, until now, the record year in terms of total capital invested. Additional venture capital funds and angel investors are actively looking for deals in the state.

Major recipients of venture funds in 2007 included:

Acoustic Cytometry Systems
Advent Solar
Altela
Aspen Avionics
Enerpulse Inc.
Exagen Diagnostics
Gourmet Pet Supplies
Intellicyt (formerly Sage Sciences Inc.)
Knowledge Reef Systems Inc.
Miox
One Connect IP Inc.
Packet Analytics Corp
TRED Displays
Wellkeeper Inc.

Venture capital opportunities in Metro New Mexico are available for companies seeking start-up, seed, growth, mezzanine, or late stage financing. Venture companies and resources include:

Altira Group LLC offers venture financing for technology enterprises in the energy industry, *$100 million.
Blue Sage Capital invests in growing, small middle-market southwestern companies, *$170 million.
Capital Formation Institute a nonprofit organization conducting research and providing education on early-stage capital formation.
Coronado Ventures Forum offers education and networking for investors and entrepreneurs.
Epic Ventures is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage, information technology and life science investments, *$170 million.
Flywheel Ventures focuses on information technology, security and materials sciences companies in the Southwest/Rockies region,*$40 million.
Fort Washington Capital Partners co-invests in New Mexico-based companies alongside other venture capital firms that serve as lead investors, *$1.1 billion.
Gathering of Angels supports entrepreneurs through monthly gatherings where companies present business plans to angel investors.
Impact-New Mexico offers small-town businesses hands-on help expanding their marketing, hiring new executives, cleaning up bookkeeping and preparing for growth.
Invencor/IVF provides equity capital for seed and early stage high technology companies in emerging markets, *$17 million.
Mesa Capital Partnersis an early-stage private equity firm investing in high–potential small businesses in industries and geographic areas under-served by other capital providers.
New Mexico Angels (formerly New Mexico Private Investors) was founded in 1999 to 'invest in innovation.' Their members make independent seed-level investments, share research, and coach companies in which they invest. The Angels seek companies with 'world class potential from technology based on patented/proprietary products or processes.'
New Mexico Community Capital provides equity capital and management resources to tourism, consumer and business services, light manufacturing and sustainable energy companies, *$9 million
Psilos Groupis expanding to Santa Fe from CA and NY to make investments in healthcare companies in the southwest, *$250 million.
Technology Funding Inc., one of the largest managers of public venture capital funds in the U.S., has an office in New Mexico, *$130 million.
Technology Ventures Corporation (TVC) promotes commercialization of technology spun off from Sandia National Laboratories and research universities. TVC links technologies and investment sources with start-up companies and existing businesses, and runs the annual New Mexico Equity Capital Symposium.
Tullis-Dickerson & Co., Inc.provides seed through late stage capital to leading growth companies in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, *$353 million.
Valley Ventures is an institutionally funded venture capital partnership of experienced venture capitalists and managers investing in and assisting emerging growth companies in the greater Southwest, *$63.8 million.
Venture Capital Investment Program allows the State Investment Council to invest from 6% to 9% of the New Mexico Severance Tax Permanent Fund in venture capital firms that maintain a NM office and invest in NM companies.
Verge is a highly motivated venture capital fund that invests in seed-stage, high-growth ventures right here in New Mexico, *$20 million.
Village Ventures is an early stage venture capital firm investing in entrepreneurs building technology and life sciences companies, *$100 million.
vSpring Capital is a traditional early-stage venture capital firm targeting information technology and life sciences companies headquartered in the Intermountain West region, *$200 million.

*2006 total capital under management