Wurks blog

High-tech entrepreneurs: Are you ready to take your start-up out of the garage and into an office?  Need advice on honing your business plan and meeting your objectives of profitability?  Enter EvoNexus, an incubator organization that takes companies under its wing (or into a boot camp, depending on your business skills).  I attended a presentation on this new San Diego-based organization yesterday and got an in-depth view into its application process, services provided, and current member companies.

San Diego regional tech trade group CommNexus saw a need for an industry-agnostic tech incubator for the area and put a plan into motion last year to make one.  EvoNexus was born with the help of some heavy-hitters from local tech companies and investment groups, cash donors, and volunteers.  The organization has proceeded through two admittance processes since inception and both were very competitive, yielding only six companies out of what sounds like hundreds of applicants (which shows San Diego is still is a hotbed for new tech).  Companies are offered office space, basic IT services, and management mentoring.  Members are also exposed to leading entrepreneurs and investors, a key benefit for businesses that need funding to achieve their goals.

I have to give a shout-out to two companies started by long-time friends that are currently under EvoNexus’ wing:  ecoATM and Pixon Imaging.  ecoATM has developed a kiosk where consumers can recycle their mobile phones and devices and, get this, they pay you for it!  Think Coin Star for gadget recycling.  You get to get rid of your phone without tossing it into a landfill here or elsewhere and you get some cash to boot.  Pixon Imaging has some pretty sweet technology for serious image enhancement.  At yesterday’s event, there were some sample photos that compared raw images to the ones enhanced by Pixon Imaging’s process and the difference is astounding.

There are four other businesses that made the cut:  IOsemi, which is working on chip solutions for high data rate and multi-band wireless applications; Medipacs, whose new infusion pump is disposable and uses no mechanical parts (one word: wow);  MicroPower Appliance, which has a low power IP-based camera that can run for up to a year on its battery; and TetraVue, whose imaging technology creates multi-dimensional images from just one angle instead of multiple cameras.

With its excellent management, staff, and process, San Diego is sure to see many great new high-tech companies prosper thanks to the efforts of EvoNexus and its donors and sponsors.