June 10, 2011  Sioux Falls, SD – Six new technology companies were prepared to launch through the N2TEC Accelerator Program held at the South Dakota Technology Business Center.

N2TEC is the National Network for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization. The group’s mission is to foster innovation, commercialization and wealth creation in rural regions of the United States.

“We had a very strong group of entrepreneurs in this year’s program,” says Kathleen Allen, N2TEC president and co-founder. “This is the third year we’ve held the Accelerator Program in South Dakota and we are excited to see these companies launch and potentially have a significant impact on the regional economy.”

The six entrepreneurs and their companies selected for the 2011 Acceleration Program were: Lauren Anema, medical diagnostic imaging; Steve Keough, pharmaCline; Michael Korstjens, Cortext; Royce McDaniels, Nism; John Meyer, Sandbox; and Adam VandeMore, GalDom.

Each participating company received a $2,000 stipend. Throughout the week the entrepreneurs received one-on-one business coaching and gained access to experts in the areas of business law, intellectual property, finance, management, equity investment and entrepreneurship. The week culminated with an opportunity to present to, and get feedback from, a panel of equity investors.

The 2011 Accelerator Program was funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration and Forward Sioux Falls. For more information about this program, contact Rich Naser at (605) 275-8010 or richn@sdtbc.com.