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TechLaunch conference brings together tech groups, students in Idaho

June 30, 2005 /

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Idaho’s leaders in science and technology are working to shape the minds of the upcoming intellectuals and business professionals found right here in the state.

When the planners of last year’s TechLaunch conference started expanding and perfecting this year’s event, they decided to join the state’s outstanding students in business and technology in a yearlong collaboration.

That collaboration ended Wednesday in a competition at the Sun Valley Resort with winners earning cash — not to mention contacts and congeniality training.

TechLaunch 2.0 — coordinated by Idaho’s TechConnect offices, the Idaho National Laboratory, the Idaho Economic Development Association and the state’s office of science and technology — invited science and technology companies, government agencies, economic development professionals and business investors to come together with students for competitions focused on technology commercialization.

The goal? To showcase Idaho’s science and tech offerings in order to raise the profile of the state as a player among the broader investment community and lure external investors.

By Jennifer Liebrum
Times-News correspondent

Full Story: http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2005/06/30/news_business/business.2.txt

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BSU teams win cash prizes at TechLaunch 2.0

Andrea V. Hernandez
The Idaho Statesman

Two Boise State University teams scored first and second place in TechLaunch 2.0, a technology event this week that showcased their work in finding potential markets for inventions from the Idaho National Laboratory.

A BSU team made up of Dorri Lee and Anthony Hawkley won first place for their market assessment for a gas tungsten arch welding torch. The invention seals nuclear wastes in canisters for burial.

"I was totally surprised," Lee said. "I thought, ‘Maybe I’m going to win second place,’ but then they called the other team and I was blown away."

The other Boise State team made up of Kendall Burgemeister and J.J. Suitter won second place.

"We were absolutely thrilled that we won," Suitter said.

Full Story: http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050701/NEWS0202/507010333/1029/NEWS02