The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) recently unveiled its inaugural group of Executives-in-Residence.  These highly-qualified life sciences executives will mentor and advise emerging technology companies at the Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies (CCIT), the EDA’s life sciences incubator.  The Executive-in-Residence program was created in collaboration with BioNJ.  

Neil R. Milano, of Montclair, draws upon his extensive financial background with both large and small biotechnology businesses to mentor and advise the more than two-dozen tenant companies at CCIT.  As entrepreneurs know first-hand, access to early capital is critical; knowing how to correctly leverage that early funding to effectively grow a business is equally as important.  Through a series of office hours, Neil, the first Executive-in-Residence – Chief Financial Officer (CFO), looks to impart this knowledge to CCIT’s emerging companies.  

With more than 30 years of financial and operational experience, including the last 15 with start-up company management teams, Neil has led companies through an Initial Public Offering (IPO), raised growth capital, managed preferred equity deals and debt financings, and was brought in to lead a company through Chapter 11 filings and restructurings.  

As the CFO for Nautilus Neurosciences, Inc., Neil launched Cambia®, an FDA approved product for migraine headaches. While with Nautilus, he grew the company from two to 65 employees.  Neil was also recruited by private equity groups Tailwind Capital and Warburg Pincus, where he spent several years as CFO of many of their portfolio companies both in the United States and Brazil.  

Neil received both a Bachelor of Science and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Why did you choose to apply to the Executive-in-Residence program?
Having worked with startup companies for more than a decade and a half, I know the importance of mentoring and advising.  I believed, and am finding, that the Executive-In-Residence program is similar to an operating executive at a private equity firm, something with which I have extensive experience.  Senior executives with deep industry experience provide operational and financial support to portfolio companies.  With my life sciences background and the fact that I have worked as an operating executive in private equity, I feel that the Executive-in-Residence program is a meaningful way for me to mentor management teams and advise New Jersey-based growth companies.         

What do you hope to get out of this Executive-in-Residence program?  
Through my years of experience, I have come to learn that moving from a concept to a successful commercialization of product is a difficult road.   I hope to offer an independent perspective to founders and help them navigate business decisions such as fundraising, selecting advisory boards, hiring, strategic planning and financial matters.  My goal is to help guide CCIT’s emerging companies on the path to success, which, in and of itself, is my reward.  

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve heard over the years that you hope to impart on these emerging life sciences companies?
A Managing Partner of a large private equity firm once told me to identify a few key partners that share your values.  In order to build a successful organization, you are constantly in search of the right people or organizations, such as investors, vendors, employees and strategic partners, who will grow with you.     

What is the next challenge you want to undertake in your career?
My next challenge is to work with a private equity sponsor to identify and fund another life sciences start-up,  but most likely in a combined COO/CFO role and hopefully in NJ.  Having been part of seven prior start-up companies, I had the opportunity to work with great sponsors Tailwind Capital, Galen Partners and Warburg Pincus, all well respected life sciences investors.  

To learn more about CCIT’s Executive-in-Residence program, please visit https://www.njeda.gov/eir and follow @NJEDATech on Twitter and LinkedIn.

TRENTON, N.J. (May 15, 2015) – Actions taken by the Board of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) today illustrate the various ways the State is able to support the growth of small businesses.

“As the backbone of New Jersey’s economy, small businesses create jobs and have a critical impact on local economies,” said EDA Chief Executive Officer Melissa Orsen.  “The actions taken by the EDA Board today will broaden our reach to small businesses, both directly and through our expanding network of banking and community development partners.”  

A $1 million loan to New Jersey Community Capital will support the community development financial institution’s South Jersey Economic Initiative Fund (SJEIF), designed to expand local and regional capacity to generate jobs and economic growth in targeted areas of Southern New Jersey.  EDA assistance will be used to boost the loan fund portion of the $15 million initiative, supporting small businesses in Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem and Atlantic counties.

EDA also approved the addition of Atlantic Stewardship Bank to its growing list of Premier Lender banking partners.  Atlantic Stewardship Bank provides products and services to small and medium sized businesses and the professional community as well as those residing, working and shopping in Bergen, Morris and Passaic Counties.

To help lower the cost of borrowing for businesses, EDA works with over 30 banks, providing loan participations or guarantees. Banks that have been approved by the EDA for Premier Lender status benefit from faster turnaround and reduced risk. The streamlined process involves the EDA approving finance applications in as early as three to five business days, the result of which speeds the flow of capital to businesses. The EDA can participate in up to 50 percent of a bank loan for fixed assets (up to $2 million) or working capital (up to $750,000); the maximum guarantee for fixed assets and working capital is $1.5 million.

Premier Lender activity this month included the approval of a 32 percent EDA participation in a $4.7 million Santander Bank loan to support the acquisition of property in South Brunswick for specialty foods importer SLT Foods.  Plastic milk crate manufacturer Farmplast is purchasing the property it had been leasing in Parsippany with the help of a $3.9 million Two River Community Bank loan that includes a 45 percent EDA participation.

A $380,000 direct loan from EDA will allow two related small businesses to establish a permanent home in Elizabeth.  Pets First, Inc., an importer and wholesaler of pet clothing and accessories, and Impact Design, an importer of fashion accessories, expect to expand from a total of 10 to 25 employees with the purchase of the 37,500-square-foot industrial facility on 3rd Street.

Tax-exempt bonds will allow Triangle Manufacturing Co., Inc. to purchase a property in Upper Saddle River to house its operations, and will also help Pollaro Custom Furniture move its manufacturing operations to a permanent location in Hillside.  Triangle specializes in the precision engineering and manufacturing of highly complex, tight-tolerance machined parts and assemblies. Pollaro is a supplier of premium custom furniture to residential and corporate clients throughout the United States.  

The Board also approved a range of manufacturers through the Grow New Jersey Assistance Program (Grow NJ), highlighting how the program is now able to support small and mid-sized businesses looking to expand in New Jersey. Representing the anticipated private investment of over $17 million, the four projects would create an estimated 137 new jobs and support the retention of nearly 360 jobs certified as at risk of being relocated out of state.

Rubbercycle, LLC, a Lakewood manufacturer that recycles used tires into low cost, high quality rubber products, is considering moving its operations to New York; Northeast Precast, a manufacturer of precast concrete, is considering an expansion in Millville or North Carolina; Contemporary Graphics and Bindery, an FDA-approved manufacturer of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical packaging, is weighing a move to Camden; and, French-based manufacturer Groupe SEB USA is contemplating an expansion in Parsippany or New York.

The EDA is part of the state’s results-driven Partnership for Action.  Created by Governor Christie and led by Lt. Governor Guadagno, the Partnership is the hub for all economic development activity in New Jersey and is comprised of four interconnected and highly focused organizational elements: Choose New Jersey, the Business Action Center, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and the EDA.  

To learn more about opportunities for business growth throughout New Jersey, visit the state’s business portal at www.NewJerseyBusiness.gov or call the Business Action Center at (866) 534-7789.

TRENTON (May 15, 2015) – Furthering its commitment to bolster innovation in the Garden State, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) Board today approved technology-based pharmacy solutions service provider CareKinesis for tax credits of up to $9.69 million over ten years through the Grow New Jersey Assistance Program, the state’s main job creation and retention incentive program.   

Headquartered in Moorestown, CareKinesis partners with accountable healthcare organizations to provide and coordinate medication management services for individuals with complex medication needs. The company offers medication risk mitigation services, unique dispensing systems, and an online medication management portal.

Having grown by 100% year after year since it began as a startup in 2011, CareKinesis has outgrown its current headquarters and is looking to expand.  The company is deciding whether to expand its headquarters in Moorestown or relocate to Pennsylvania.  The tax credits approved today through the Grow NJ Program would encourage the company to remain and grow in New Jersey, including the creation of more than 190 jobs.  To date, nearly 30% of companies approved for tax credits through the program represent the greater technology industry.

According to EDA CEO Melissa Orsen, CareKinesis is a great example of a company that has benefitted from the various resources the State offers to support technology companies at every stage of growth.  

In 2012, CareKinesis received a $500,000 loan from the EDA through the Edison Innovation VC Growth Fund to support working capital needs.  Funding provided through this program can be used for key hires, product rollout, product enhancement, and marketing/sales.

@NJEDATech spoke with CareKinesis CEO Dr. Calvin Knowlton about the company’s experience in New Jersey:

What have you found most advantageous about starting CareKinesis in New Jersey?

I was born and raised here, completed my undergraduate work at a state university, opened my first pharmacy (and additional businesses) in New Jersey, and am raising my family here. With CareKinesis, and with my former companies, I have found that New Jersey offers a rich employee pool – we never look far to find bright, well-educated, dedicated, passionate team members.

How has CareKinesis benefited from funding it received through the Edison Innovation VC Growth Fund?

CareKinesis is pleased to have been able to meet all of the milestones we set out to achieve with the Growth Fund loan – these included hiring executive, administrative, and clinical staff as well as growing our operations and client base here in New Jersey and beyond.  Since 2012, we have formed our parent organization, Tabula Rasa HealthCare, and we have acquired two other related healthcare-oriented companies. We are grateful to have received EDA assistance to help propel us to where we are today.  

What is CareKinesis’ biggest success to date?

While we are achieving the financial successes that we hoped for, our largest success has been recognition by our peers and our clients for our outstanding clinical work. The CareKinesis mission is to improve lives by optimizing the medication use process, and every day we see evidence that our systems and services are measurably reducing hospitalizations, reducing falls, and improving medication safety. Every time we intervene to ensure that a patient is on the safest, optimized, personalized medication regimen, we succeed.  

What’s in store for CareKinesis in the near future?

We have recently begun to explore new markets beyond PACE, and there is much interest among various types of accountable care organizations – they are attracted by the wonderful patient outcome we continue to deliver for our clients. Our technology product suite continues to grow, and we are actively iterating our proven software systems so that they can be used by clinicians in a variety of care settings to help ensure safe and proper use of medications.

PACE is the Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, a Medicaid and Medicare program that enables patients to receive care from a team of health care professionals without going to a nursing home or other type of facility.

For additional information on programs and products available to New Jersey’s technology industry, visit https://www.njeda.gov/tls and follow @NJEDATech on Twitter and LinkedIn.

To learn more about opportunities for growth throughout New Jersey, visit the state’s business portal at www.NewJerseyBusiness.gov.

 

(Princeton, N.J.) – As National Small Business Week kicks off this week, Choose New Jersey, Inc. is offering small businesses across the Garden State an online tool, RPF Watch, which can help them potentially win millions of dollars in contracts.

With hundreds of Request for Proposals (RFPs) distributed on a daily basis, small businesses can easily miss opportunities for which they are qualified. For small businesses that depend on contracts, RFP Watch can be a game changer.

“We launched RFP Watch two years ago to help spur local economic development in our state,” said Michele Brown, President and CEO of Choose New Jersey. “The easy-to-use online tool is a simple solution to a big problem—how to get small businesses in touch with the many business opportunities within our state and beyond.”

RFP Watch aggregates data from more than 30,000 public and private sources to deliver more than 10,000 contracts leads each month on average. The tool alerts companies to bids and contracts most relevant to their businesses on a daily basis via e-mail.

“So many small businesses help power New Jersey’s economy,” remarked Brown. “RFP Watch is just one way that Choose New Jersey is helping small businesses succeed in the Garden State.”

RFP Watch is available to all companies with a New Jersey location for only $25. Businesses interested in a subscription to RFP Watch are encouraged to reach out to Choose New Jersey, its supporters or their local chamber of commerce to receive the special discount code.

For additional information about RFP Watch or to subscribe online, please visit http://rfpwatch.choosenj.com.

About Choose New Jersey:

Choose New Jersey, Inc. is a privately funded 501(c)(3) corporation charged with encouraging and nurturing economic growth throughout New Jersey with a focus on making the state’s most distressed cities engines for growth and opportunity. Through marketing, business attraction and lead generation activities, Choose New Jersey markets New Jersey as a premiere business location to both domestic and international businesses. Choose New Jersey is one of four elements of the Partnership for Action (PFA), which is led by Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno and also includes the New Jersey Business Action Center, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. For more information, visit www.choosenj.com.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) recently unveiled its inaugural Executive-in-Residence appointees.  This group of highly-skilled life sciences professionals will mentor and advise emerging companies at EDA’s Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies (CCIT) in North Brunswick.  The Executive-in-Residence program was created in collaboration with BioNJ.  

Over the next few weeks, NJEDATech will delve into the back-stories of the six Executives-in-Residence; next up, Dana Darst, of Pennington.
 
Dana Darst brings more than 23 years of experience to the position of Executive-in-Residence – Licensing, Commercial Operations and Strategic Planning.  He also brings a proven track record of guiding new businesses in the healthcare and life sciences industry through business planning, contract negotiations and partnership development, all of which he draws upon when advising and mentoring the more than two dozen tenants at the EDA’s life sciences incubator.  With a background in oncology, Dana will be especially helpful to the tenant companies that are developing anti-cancer technologies.
 
Using his commercialization skills, Dana was actively involved in the early-stage development of several start-up companies, including Navigating Cancer and Theranos.  As part of the senior leadership team for Onmark, Inc., an oncology group purchasing organization formed as the result of a Bristol-Myers Squibb spin-out, Dana helped grow the company into what was acquired by McKesson and is now a strategic business unit of that Fortune 50, $100 billion corporation.
 
Dana began his career in New Jersey, at pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J), where he held numerous positions of increasing responsibility at both the operating company and corporate levels, in product commercialization and corporate compliance, respectively.  As Executive Director at Quintiles Transnational, he developed and managed strategic commercialization partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, including a successful co-promotion alliance with J&J.  He is currently a management consultant for life sciences companies. 
 
Dana holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences from Rutgers University and a dual MS degree in Jurisprudence from Seton Hall Law School, with joint concentrations in Health Law and Intellectual Property Law.
 
Why did you choose to apply to the Executive-in-Residence program?
The program is providing me with opportunities to help drive innovation, right here in my home state of NJ.  Many of the emerging life sciences companies housed at CCIT are developing technologies with outstanding potential for improving healthcare in the U.S. through advancements such as new diagnostics and potential cures for cancer.  As a twenty-three year industry veteran, I have learned, first-hand, what it takes for start-up and small companies to grow new business with drug and device manufacturers via different partnership and commercialization models and strategies (e.g. licensing, strategic alliances, distribution, etc.).  This is a chance for me to share ideas and best-practices with leading entrepreneurs to increase their chances for success, which can ultimately benefit patients and consumers.
 
What do you hope to get out of this Executive-in-Residence program?
I would like to work with as many of the CCIT tenants as possible, to help them develop and refine their go-to-market strategies, which may include consideration of early-stage licensing and/or partnership deals with commercialization-stage companies.  If I am successful at helping even one entrepreneur to achieve his or her business goals, it will be a win-win.  Additionally, I look forward to expanding my own network in the emerging technology space within healthcare & life sciences. 
 
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve heard over the years that you hope to impart on these emerging life sciences companies?
“Find a problem—then develop a solution.”  Robert Herjavec, CEO & Founder, Herjavec Group.  My wife and I love to watch “Shark Tank,” and have developed a great deal of appreciation for each of the investors (“Sharks”).  In particular, I enjoy hearing the advice that Robert Herjavec gives to entrepreneurs.  It’s absolutely essential to know the market dynamics of the space that you plan to commercialize your products or services in.  This holds true for partnerships, as well.  Entrepreneurs should identify and consider potential partners in the life sciences industry (e.g. Licensees, Alliance Partners, Big Pharma Buyers, etc.) during early-stage development, to ensure that their strategic goals and target markets are in alignment before they go too far down a path.  It must be incredibly exciting for an inventor to develop what they believe will vastly improve healthcare.  But, the healthcare industry is both highly complex and in a state of flux, since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was effectuated.  Changes in Patent law are also impacting life sciences innovation.  So, in order to successfully go-to-market with their inventions, entrepreneurs need to have buy-in from payers, consumers and business partners that understand and believe in its value, too.
 
What is the next challenge you want to undertake in your career? 
Driving external innovation for a biotech, specialty pharma or device manufacturer, focusing on inorganic growth via licensing, strategic alliances, mergers and/or acquisitions.  My primary objective for studying Intellectual Property and Health law, from 2012 – 2014, was to compliment my background in life sciences professional services, and transition back to the manufacturer side of the industry.  My experience with start-ups and larger service providers can be invaluable to a manufacturer looking to grow their portfolio by obtaining rights to new and innovative biologics, drugs or devices.  Although I would welcome opportunities in different therapeutic areas, I am partial to oncology and immunology, based on my past experience and the positive impact that advancements in these areas can have on patients.  Specifically, I can see myself fitting very well in a senior leadership role within a corporate development group or an innovation center-of-excellence.

To learn more about CCIT’s Executive-in-Residence program, please visit https://www.njeda.gov/eir and follow @NJEDATech on Twitter and LinkedIn.

TRENTON, N.J. (May 7, 2015) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) today announced recent assistance to community business lenders in Mercer and Camden counties, helping to extend the State’s reach to underserved businesses and communities. Through the Loans to Lenders program, the EDA provides capital to financial intermediary organizations that offer loans and lines of credit to small businesses in local markets that may not qualify for traditional bank financing.
 
”Small businesses are vital to the State’s economy and community business lenders are able to fill a gap in the market to provide these important job creators with the support they need to thrive,” said EDA CEO Melissa Orsen. 
 
The EDA recently closed on a $500,000 loan to Regional Business Assistance Corporation (RBAC), a Trenton-based community business lender. The EDA also approved a $250,000 loan in April for Cooperative Business Assistance Corporation (CBAC), a community business lender based in Camden.
 
“The funding provided by the EDA will enable us to help more businesses with loans, allowing these entities to expand, employ more people, and strengthen their local communities,” said William Pazmino, RBAC Executive Director. 
 
Pazmino noted that RBAC has provided $15.7 million in microloans to more than 560 small businesses, with an average loan size of $27,600; 40% of the companies supported are start-ups, 35% are women-owned, and 40% are minority-owned.
 
Recent examples of RBAC’s support to small businesses include providing a loan from the Community Advantage Loan Fund to Family Supermarket in Trenton, to assist the minority-owned business with renovations, and the purchase of new equipment and inventory.  Beautiful Waxing Boutique, which recently moved from Mercerville to Princeton, also received a loan through the Community Advantage Loan Fund to support leasehold improvements.
 
CBAC provides financial and technical assistance to businesses in New Jersey’s seven southern counties.  In the past five years alone, CBAC has made 508 loans totaling over $18 million; During the past year, over 50% of CBAC’s loans have gone to support women-owned and minority-owned businesses, and 33% of CBAC’s loans are for businesses located in Camden.  CBAC was recently named “#1 Microlender” in New Jersey for 2014 by the U.S. Small Business Association.
 
“Small businesses are increasingly turning to community business lenders for financing, and the loan provided by the EDA is helping CBAC to keep pace with demand,” said Harry Stone, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBAC.
 
CBAC recently assisted Plastics Consulting and Manufacturing (PCM)  in Camden by partnering with the business’s bank to provide a loan to help the company rebuild and purchase new equipment and furnishings following a fire in June of 2014.  PCM was also approved for Grow NJ tax credits at the EDA’s September 2014 Board meeting.
 
The EDA is part of the state’s results-driven Partnership for Action.  Created by Governor Christie and led by Lt. Governor Guadagno, the Partnership is the hub for all economic development activity in New Jersey and is comprised of four interconnected and highly focused organizational elements: Choose New Jersey, the Business Action Center, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and the EDA. 
 
To learn more about opportunities for business growth throughout New Jersey, visit the state’s business portal at www.NewJerseyBusiness.gov or call the Business Action Center at (866) 534-7789.

TRENTON (May 5, 2015) – Showcasing the vast array of services available to New Jersey’s life sciences industry, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) will hold its first-ever vendor fair on Friday, May 8, at its Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies (CCIT) in North Brunswick.

From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, more than a dozen vendors will be on hand to highlight different services and equipment available to help companies thrive in New Jersey.

“The EDA knows that emerging life sciences companies have a lot of needs beyond securing funding,” EDA Chief Executive Officer Melissa Orsen said.  “Friday’s vendor fair will introduce life sciences companies to service and equipment providers that can help their businesses succeed.”

Vendors scheduled to attend include EisnerAmper, an international accounting and consulting firm; Porzio Life Sciences, LLC, which provides compliance services and products that enable companies to comply with global, federal and state regulations; Worldwide Life Sciences, which supplies laboratory equipment to life sciences companies; and, GenScript USA, Inc., a contract research organization that offers services and products to scientists.  A complete list of participating vendors is included below.

Home to more than two dozen seed-stage life sciences companies, CCIT offers its tenants affordable lab and office space and a wealth of resources, including: help identifying funding sources, access to small business development resources, and a newly-implemented Executive-in-Residence program through which highly qualified life sciences professionals advise and mentor tenants.

@NJEDATech spoke with CCIT Program Manager Anne-Marie Maman about why she created the vendor fair and what she expects of the day-long event:

Who should attend the fair?

Anyone working in life sciences should take advantage of this fair.  In one visit they will be able to collect information from a variety of vendors about their products and services.  

What are the vendors’ areas of expertise?

There is a broad range of products and services that will be represented at the vendor fair.  Visitors will be able to collect information on products used in their labs (like glassware, consumables and analytical instrumentation), on services required for preclinical through commercialization stages (like custom synthesis, contract manufacturing and testing) and on corporate strategies important for their successful growth (like compliance, regulatory, QA and accounting).

Why is the EDA offering this event?

We are often asked by vendors if we can help facilitate the introduction to our tenants and the NJ life sciences community.  We are also often asked by emerging life sciences companies about different vendors and their offerings.  Therefore we decided that a vendor fair would be an efficient way to connect the conversation and allow people to speak directly.

Friday’s vendor fair is one of many new programs EDA has introduced over the last year to support emerging companies.  Can you speak to one or two of the others?

We have initiated a new Lunch & Learn program – we just had our first session with Dr. David Kimball from Rutgers talking about “Partnering with Rutgers Translational Sciences.”  It was very well attended and focused on interdisciplinary collaborations at Rutgers and building strategic alliances with the private sector.  Our next Lunch & Learn will be on May 15th when Tim O’Rourke from EisnerAmper will address “Choosing the Right Corporate Entity and Saving Taxes.” Register for this program by emailing amaman@njeda.com.   

CCIT is located at:
675 US Highway One
North Brunswick, New Jersey 08902

To learn more about resources available to life sciences companies, visit https://www.njeda.gov/tls and follow @NJEDATech on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Life science startup companies interested in finding out more about CCIT should contact Anne-Marie Maman at amaman@njeda.com or at CCIT’s main phone number (732) 839-1880.

Scheduled Participants at Friday’s Vendor Fair

Advanced Analytical Testing Laboratories – provides analytical testing, research and development and consulting services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other FDA regulated industries;

Alliance Calibrations Group – offers analytical instrumentation services as well as sales and lab staffing services;

Axcellerate Pharma, LLC – provides contract manufacturing and research services to the biopharmaceutical industry;

Biotech Support Group LLC – produces licensed and proprietary products for genomics and proteomics research.

EisnerAmper, LLP – specializes in audit, accounting, and tax services, as well as corporate finance, internal audit and risk management, litigation services, consulting, private business services, employee benefit plan audits;

Expression Systems – supplies and services the commercial insect cell culture markets with media formulations, products and contract services.

GenScript USA, Inc. – provides research services and products to scientists;

Jeiven Pharmaceutical Consulting, Inc. – provides consulting services to pharmaceutical, bio- technology, medical device, and dietary supplement companies;

JTR & Associates, LLC – provides risk management services and insurance to technology and life sciences companies.

Porzio Life Sciences, LLC – enables companies to comply with global, federal and state regulations through compliance services and products;

Rentschler Biotechnologie GmbH – manufactures and provides fill-finish services for biologics development, pre-clinical through commercial.

Thermo Fisher Scientific – helps customers accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics and increase laboratory productivity.

Virtual Regulatory Solutions – administers regulatory strategy, services and technologies specifically for small and growing biopharmaceuticals; and

Worldwide Life Sciences – supplies laboratory equipment to life sciences companies.

 

 

Program Allows Eligible Businesses to Sell Net Operating Losses for Capital

TRENTON (May 4, 2015) – Continuing its commitment to grow the technology ecosystem in the Garden State, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) announced today that applications for the state’s Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer (NOL) Program are now available at https://www.njeda.gov/nol.

Administered by the EDA and the New Jersey Department of Treasury's Division of Taxation, the NOL program allows qualified technology and biotechnology companies to sell unused New Jersey net operating losses and research and development tax credits to unrelated profitable corporations to raise cash to finance their growth and operations.

“The NOL program provides access to much-needed capital for emerging tech and biotech companies in New Jersey,” EDA Chief Executive Officer Melissa Orsen said.  “Last year, 44 companies received an average of $1.2 million, and we hope to support even more through this year’s allocation.”  

New Jersey-based technology or biotechnology companies must meet several requirements to be eligible for the NOL program.  Requirements include (but are not limited to):

–  The company must have protected and proprietary intellectual property (pending or issued patents, copyrights, or exclusive licenses).  This property must be the primary business of, and exclusive to, the company;

–  The company can have a maximum of 224 employees that live and work in the United States.  In addition, the company must have a minimum of: 1 full-time employee working in New Jersey if incorporated or formed less than three years, 5 full-time employees in New Jersey if incorporated or formed more than three years but less than five years, or 10 full-time employees in New Jersey if incorporated or formed more than five years.  These employees must be offered healthcare coverage;

–  The company cannot have had positive net operating income for the last two years.  In addition, an eligible company cannot have a parent company with positive net operating income, or be part of a consolidated group of affiliates for federal income tax purposes with positive net operating income;

–  The company must have financial statements with all schedules and footnotes prepared according to US GAAP, by an independent CPA.  (Compilation, review or audit are all acceptable); and;

–  The company must file its corporate business tax returns with the NJ Division of Taxation by June 30, 2015.

Companies must submit an application online to the EDA by the June 30, 2015 deadline.

A complete list of requirements can be found at https://www.njeda.gov/nol. Questions about the program may be submitted to nol@njeda.com.  All responses will be posted on the EDA’s website.

The EDA is part of the state’s results-driven Partnership for Action.  Created by Governor Christie and led by Lt. Governor Guadagno, the Partnership is the hub for all economic development activity in New Jersey and is comprised of four interconnected and highly focused organizational elements: Choose New Jersey, the Business Action Center, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and the EDA.

To learn about programs and initiatives to support the technology industry, visit https://www.njeda.gov/tls and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn at @NJEDATech

Video Surveillance Company Benefits from New Jersey's Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer (NOL) Program
 

TRENTON (April 29, 2015) – Like many technology companies supported by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), DVTEL is a prime example of a New Jersey business whose products have a global reach.

As thousands of runners ran the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon last week, Ridgefield Park-based DVTEL was keeping a close eye on security at the event. For the last two years, the city of Boston has installed DVTEL technology, including a variety of HD surveillance cameras, along the marathon route for added security.

“Communities around the globe are working to achieve ‘Safe City’ status, which entails collating information from many different sensors, systems, and departments to achieve a more comprehensive, city-wide security posture,” said DVTEL President and CEO Yoav Stern. “For example, the City of Boston leverages DVTEL’s new video management software technology to provide security operators with unified access to a wide variety of devices and systems. The result is improved visibility into the security of high-profile events, such as the Boston Marathon.”
According to the company, DVTEL’s signature Latitude NVMS® video management software technology offers maximum security and better viewing capabilities for lower costs. One of DVTEL’s award-winning products, TruWitness, turns smartphones into live-streaming security cameras. TruWitness was an industry-first when it was launched in 2012, and the technology remains a crucial tool for first responders.

Since 2010, DVTEL has benefitted from New Jersey’s Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer (NOL) Program. The company was one of 44 companies that shared a total of $54 million through the NOL Program in Fiscal Year 2015.

Administered by the EDA and the New Jersey Department of Treasury's Division of Taxation, the NOL program enables companies to sell unused New Jersey net operating losses and R&D tax credits for cash to finance their growth and operations. The sale to unrelated profitable corporations in New Jersey has been critical to many New Jersey companies in managing their cash flow. The EDA will open the Fiscal Year 2016 application process for the competitive program on May 1.

The EDA spoke with DVTEL about the NOL program, the company’s experience in New Jersey and its plans for the future. DVTEL President and CEO Stern provided the following responses.

How has DVTEL benefited from funding it received through the NOL program?

The NOL program has helped fund our strategic expansion of marketing and technical efforts.The funding has been especially beneficial during a recent time of transition at DVTEL, as we’ve worked diligently to turn the company around from losses to profits.

Why did you choose to grow the company in New Jersey?

Several factors drew us to New Jersey: the proximity to financial hubs, including New York and Philadelphia, the ease of travel to international airports, and its ability to attract experienced engineering and technology personnel in Boston, New Jersey and the East Coast. We also appreciate the quality of life for families in New Jersey.. We’re just far enough away from New York City that this area provides a relatively lower cost of living for our employees while enjoying a shorter commute than people who are driving into the city.

What is DVTEL’s biggest success to date?

DVTEL transitioned from a start-up in New Jersey in 2003, with zero revenue and no product, to one of the world leaders in video surveillance technology. Today, we have offices in the U.K., Israel, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and Mexico, and yet we’re still headquartered right here in New Jersey, in the same location where it all started. What’s more, many of our New Jersey employees have significant tenure with the company — some as many as 12 years — which is proof of our strong ties as a company and our ongoing commitment to the New Jersey community.

What’s in store for DVTEL in the near future?

We are focused on growth and further building our business strategies to drive more opportunity within our key markets. With the help of the state of New Jersey and our incredible team, we are profitable and growing, and we’re looking forward to even more success in the years to come.

For more information about the NOL program and other EDA products and programs, please visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NJEDATech on Twitter and LinkedIn.