RMI2 dubs 2009 a 'banner' year

December 11, 2009
RMI2 dubs 2009 a 'banner' year
www.coloradoan.com/article/20091211/BUSINESS/912110321/RMI2-dubs-2009-a-%5C-banner%5C--year
BY DAVID YOUNG
David Young@coloradoan.com
Rocky Mountain Innovation Initiative, or RMI2, held its year in review meeting Thursday dubbing 2009 a "banner" year.
The assessment of the year's efforts came during the year's final Innovation After Hours, a monthly networking and education forum, marking its second year in existence. The meeting highlighted the bioscience and clean energy clusters, GIS Alley and RMI2.
RMI2 Chief Operating Officer Kelly Peters stepped in for CEO Mark Forsyth, who couldn't be at the meeting.
Peters said the incubator is growing exponentially and looks to continue that success in 2010. In 2006, the initiative had one new client application.
In 2009 alone, RMI2 received 36 applications and has three more in their queue. Of that 36, nine were accepted.
Peters said RMI2 is working to be more regional by collaborating with the University of Northern Colorado and expanding meetings to Loveland in the future.
The incubator has grown to four facilities in Fort Collins at Mason Street and Mountain Avenue and plans to break ground on a new $7.3 million three-story building at College Avenue and Vine Street, which will include a 3,000-foot wet-lab.
Goals for 2010 include expanding their client base. Currently, RMI2 is composed of clean technology, software, bio science, green toys and medical device companies.
Peters said one main goal for the new year will be promoting the incubator's success more.
"We've found we are not bragging enough," said Peters, who plans to ramp up marketing for the organization.
Judy Dorsey, executive director of the Northern Colorado Clean Energy Cluster, a nonprofit economic development organization aimed at growing primary jobs in clean energy, noted such successes as the addition of VanDyne Super Turbo Inc., Wirsol Solar AG and Symbios Technologies, LLC.
Dorsey also noted the national and international attention received by FortZED, a set of public-private partnerships that use smart-grid and renewable energy technologies.
While 2009 was a tough year, Dorsey said, including recent news that Vestas Wind Systems A/S would temporarily halt production at its Windsor facility, she expects the region to fair better than others.
Both Dorsey and Peters agreed 2010 would be a year of potential growth with new projects to advance business in Northern Colorado.
"Know that Northern Colorado isn't in a vacuum," Dorsey said.