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Space Florida, Florida Venture Forum Announce Winners of Florida Aerospace Capital Forum

Axion Technologies, Sensatek Propulsion Technology, Inc., Spintech, LLC Receive Space Florida’s Accelerating Innovation Award

Space Florida, Florida Venture Forum Announce Winners of Florida Aerospace Capital Forum

EXPLORATION PARK, MIAMI and TAMPA, Fla. (November 14, 2018) – Space Florida and the Florida Venture Forum, in partnership with Harris Corporation, are pleased to announce Axion Technologies, Sensatek Propulsion Technology, Inc., Spintech, LLC as the top three winners, respectively, of the inaugural Florida Aerospace Capital Forum. Held at the Guidewell Innovation Center in Lake Nona, the event featured 17 presenting companies and an opportunity to engage with the Florida Venture Forum investment community.

A panel of judges reviewed each selected company’s presentation and supporting materials. Axion Technologies was named the top company and received $50,000 of Space Florida’s $100,000 Accelerating Innovation Award. Sensatek Propulsion Technology, Inc., and Spintech, LLC were awarded the $30,000 and $20,000 cash prizes, respectively.

Axion Technologies, LLC. Tallahassee (www.axiontechnologiesllc.com), has patented a high–speed, parallel Truly–Random Number Generator (TRNG or QRNG) based on fundamental Quantum Mechanical principles, achieving speeds of 1–2GHz per stream and providing up to 250 streams per device –competitors currently provide 1–4 streams, mostly in the MHz range.

Sensatek Propulsion Technology Inc., Daytona Beach (www.sensatek.com), is a university technology spinout company formed to wirelessly detect extreme temperature and pressure. Their sensors allow wireless monitoring of harsh environments on application such as rocket motors that is not currently available on the market.

Spintech, LLC, Xenia, Ohio (www.smarttooling.com), the company is changing how composite parts are manufactured in the Aerospace industry because they simply and eloquently deliver Better, Cheaper, Faster for composite part manufacturing. Spintech manufactures custom Smart Tooling solutions that enable customers to make composite parts better, cheaper, and faster.

“Congratulations to today’s winners and presenters at our first-ever Florida Aerospace Capital Forum,” said Frank DiBello, President and CEO of Space Florida. “The attendance at today’s event is a strong representation of both Florida’s thriving start-up ecosystem as well as its flourishing aerospace industry. Space Florida thanks the Florida Venture Forum and Harris Corporation for their partnerships in hosting a successful capital acceleration conference.”

“Today’s Aerospace Capital Forum far exceeded our expectations, with a great turnout and incredible presentations by some of Florida’s most exciting Florida companies,” said Kevin Burgoyne, President and CEO of the Florida Venture Forum. “Congratulations to all our presenters, and especially to Axion Technologies, Sensatek Propulsion Technology and Spintech, and thanks to our sponsors and to Space Florida, which continues to lead the way for one of Florida’s most important and fastest growing industries.”

This event was an opportunity to broaden the spectrum of early stage, Florida-based aerospace and aviation companies and entrepreneurs, (as well as non–Florida entities with commitments to relocate), while engaging the industry with private equity, venture capital and angel investors.

Today’s event concluded with an Emerging Technologies and Investments in Aerospace Panel, moderated by Mark Bontrager, Vice President of Spaceport Operation for Space Florida. Panelists included Dr. Josh Bruckmeyer, Senior Technologist for Harris Corporation; G. Michael Lester, Technology Transfer Partnership Manager for NASA’s Kennedy Space Center; Todd Romberger, Vice President of Commercial Space for Space Florida; Andrew Rush, President and CEO of Made In Space; and Charles Uhrig, Head of Communications Investment Banking Group for Raymond James & Associates.

Harris Corporation, as the worldwide leader in aviation and aerospace, also partnered and contributed to the success of this event.

To date, Space Florida supported capital accelerators, have attracted more than $190 million in funding and investments for the participating companies.


About Space Florida: Space Florida was created to strengthen Florida’s position as the global leader in aerospace research, investment, exploration and commerce. As Florida’s aerospace and spaceport development authority, we are committed to attracting and expanding the next generation of space industry businesses. With its highly trained workforce, proven infrastructure and unparalleled record of achievement, Florida is the ideal location for aerospace businesses to thrive – and Space Florida is the perfect partner to help them succeed. www.spaceflorida.gov


About The Florida Venture Forum: The Florida Venture Forum is Florida’s largest statewide support organization for investors and entrepreneurs, helping emerging Florida companies connect with sources of capital from across the country. The organization provides programs statewide throughout the year in addition to hosting the Florida Venture Capital Conference, the Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition and the Early Stage Capital Conference. www.flventure.org


About Harris Corporation: Harris Corporation is a leading technology innovator, solving customers’ toughest mission-critical challenges by providing solutions that connect, inform and protect. Harris supports government and commercial customers in more than 100 countries and has approximately $6 billion in annual revenue. The company is organized into three business segments: Communication Systems, Electronic Systems and Space and Intelligence Systems. Learn more at www.harris.com.