The Rice Alliance Names Most Promising Information Technology Companies

at 4th Annual Information Technology  Venture Forum

HOUSTON – (December 7, 2006) – The Rice Alliance for Technology & Entrepreneurship of Rice University recently announced the top ten most promising information technology companies at the 4th Annual Information Technology Venture Forum in Houston.

 Emerging information technology companies showcased their new ventures for an audience of more than 300 attendees, including: investors; venture capitalists; industry representatives; business leaders; advisors/mentors; service providers; and entrepreneurs.   

The two-day event culminated in an announcement of the Most Promising Information Technology Companies chosen from over 40 competitors.  The winners were chosen based on the companies’ elevator pitch presentations and were selected by a hand-picked judging panel made up of Houston area investors and business leaders. 

Following are the winning companies:  

Commerciant- is a provider of wireless, hand-held payment processing technology.  http://www.commerciant.com 

Gimmal Group- has a team of consultants and system integration professionals with deep expertise in Enterprise Content Management solutions.  http://www.gimmal.com 

Kinesix Software- develops software systems that allow users to improve their command-and-control functions with the most dynamic, sophisticated and accurate real-time graphics available.  http://www.kinesix.com 

MEDeCOACH- is a health improvement company that delivers an internet solution for changing lifestyle habits linked to high health care costs.  http://www.medecoach.com 

P.O.P. Broadcasting- has a technology that delivers content (advertising) wirelessly to the Point of Product worldwide through their P.O.P. Shelf Ads which deliver the advertiser’s message one-on-one.  http://www.popbroadcasting.com 

Public Games- is a game publisher with and Online Platform and Brand Licensing solution that enables third party game development studios to reach new Online Game markets faster.  http://www.publicgames.com 

Spring Medical Systems- develops and licenses Electronic Health Records solutions for physicians in private practice.  http://springmedical.com 

TenantMarket- is an online service that helps rental property owners fill vacancies faster with better renters by enabling landlords to search, find, filter and contact prospective renters.  http://www.tenantmarket.com 

Valt.X Technologies- develops failsafe computer security and desktop management semiconductors to protect and recover computers from electronic attacks.  http://www.valtx.com 

Vnet World- brings virtual classrooms to even the most remote places on earth.  http://www.vnetworld.com 

Panelists included nine of the leading venture capitalists from the state of Texas, and the keynote speakers were Ron Nash, Partner of InterWest Partners and Rob Schultz, Senior Director of Illinois VENTURES. 

The event was sponsored by the following companies:  Event Underwriter:  Baker Botts; Event Co-host:  CITI, Computer and Information Technology Institute at Rice University; Lunch Sponsor: Deloitte; Elevator Pitch and Networking Break Sponsor: Comerica Bank; Company Showcase and Reception Sponsor: Microsoft;

Supporting Organizations:  Houston Angel Network and Houston Technology Center; Media Sponsors: Houston Business Journal and BusinessMakers Radio Show.
 

About the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship

The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship (Rice Alliance) is Rice University's flagship initiative devoted to the support of technology entrepreneurship.  The Rice Alliance is a collaboration among the Brown School of Engineering, the Jones Graduate School of Management, and the Wiess School of Natural Science.

Since its inception in late-1999, the Rice Alliance has assisted in the launch over 175 new technology companies, which have raised more than $300 million in early stage funding. The mission of the Rice Alliance is to conduct research and support the creation of technology-based companies and the commercialization of new technologies.  The Rice Alliance provides entrepreneurs with a collaborative network and forum for support, education, and exchange of ideas.  It offers entrepreneurs access to the human and financial capital needed for success.

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