Monday begins a 100-day push to get Greater Cincinnati's Regional Technology Initiative off the ground. Since most of the members of that effort will be watching football that day, they'll get to work Tuesday and have just 99 days to get it done.

        The initiative, you might remember, had its genesis in an effort begun locally at the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing Sciences (now called TechSolve), but needed a big push to get going. The Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce got involved, which led to the big push: In November, Procter & Gamble jumped on the bandwagon, contributing $250,000 and executive time to it.

        Since then, the chamber's Johnathan Holifield has been working to organize the committees that will set strategies for the technology initiative. Originally there were to be five committees, focusing on startup capital, research and commercialization, work force development, e-commerce readiness, and image.

        A sixth committee, on public policy, has been added to mesh local efforts with state-level efforts in Ohio and Kentucky. That's not just to be nice to the folks in Columbus and Frankfort. Where the strategies line up, there's likely to be state money available. Mr. Holifield said an application for a $250,000, two-year Ohio technology action grant has already been filed.

        P&G's call to action struck a chord locally. Mr. Holifield said he's had some 200 calls from people looking to volunteer. Not everyone will be working on the six committees, but come April, when the action plans are developed and announced, “there'll be plenty of work,” he said.
       

TF Logic wins backing        

        TF Logic in Kenwood has raised about $650,000 from individual investors, money that still comes trickling in. The company's real money-raising efforts began in November. “We're getting in the door, and we're getting better than in-the-door, we're getting callbacks,” said CEO Scott Smith.

        The company, started by former employees of Synchrony Communications and Convergys, is in a space being called “free-form collaboration.” It allows people in different places to share computer files, but also provides tools to track the files and provide notification when files are addded or changed.

        So, imagine a fleet of furnace repair men, armed with wireless computers. A furnace breaks down, the boss files the work order and the nearest repairman is automatically notified.

        That's the kind of application pondered, and there's competition forming. “There is decent money being spent,” Mr. Smith said.

        TF Logic has four customers using a version of the product, and a complete version should be available in January.
       

Forum on capital        

        Venture capital is hard to come by these days, but it's especially tough for women. A seminar in January should be of interest to women getting their ideas turned into businesses.

        The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the local chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners are hosting a forum on access to capital at 8 a.m. Jan. 31, at The Clarion in Covington. Contact the chamber at (859) 578-8800 for details.

        E-mail John Byczkowski at johnb@enquirer.com or call 768-8377. Find a list of local New Economy companies here.
       

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