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Today, Congressman Bill Posey hosted his second Entrepreneur Summit at the Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) in Melbourne. The summit was another opportunity for various entrepreneurs from across the Space Coast region to showcase their innovative technologies to the public and potential investors. Presenters included a wide array of industry sectors.

“It’s great to see such a high level of interest in entrepreneurship here on the Space Coast,” said Congressman Posey. “The more we can do to encourage investment in ideas like the ones we saw today, the more jobs we will be able to create and the more secure our future will be.”

“Today’s summit showed that the Space Coast’s entrepreneurial spirit is alive and thriving and that the innovative technologies and business concepts presented, along with the experienced and dedicated company leaders, will help to strengthen the region’s economy and make it more diversified and globally competitive,” said Chester Straub, Technological Research and Development Authority.

“We were so impressed with today’s presentations,” stated Victoria Northrup, President and CEO of the Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce. “From the Structural Composites advancements to the innovative Tree-Hugger concept, it is clear that Brevard County has some extraordinary and creative minds.”

The agenda included a keynote address by Congressman Bill Posey and presentations by ASA Entertainment Group, Baer Air, Inc., Gravitec Inc., Sanswire, Squeeze It, Inc., Structural Composites, Inc. and ThornProducts, Inc.

Presenters interacted with a panel of entrepreneurial professionals including Richard McNeight, Founder of Federal Systems, Randall Poliner, Managing General partner of Antares Capital Corporation, Charles Reisnick, Managing Partner, Inflexion Management, John Igoe, Partner, Edwards, Angell, Palmer & Dodge, Doug Hilmes, Managing Partner of Growth Innovators and Alan Smith.

Other speakers included RJ Scaringe of Avera Motors, Florida Venture Forum, Melbourne Regional Chamber of East Central Florida, and Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

“There are so many companies participating that realize the strong technology base in Brevard,” said RJ Scaringe, Founder, President and CEO of Avera Motors, Inc.

“Today’s symposium brought home two key points: that Brevard’s businesses are continually innovating, and that these companies are ready to move forward with products and jobs if we can find them the financial backing they need,” said Christine Michaels, President and CEO of the Melbourne Regional Chamber.

“The Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is honored to be part of Rep. Posey's summit and appreciates the hard work and dedication he has done for our community,” said Melissa Stains, President and CEO of the Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

Today’s event was in coordination with Technological Research and Development Authority, Brevard Workforce, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, Small Business Development Center at Brevard Community College, Women’s Business Center at Florida Institute of Technology, and Space Florida in presenting the Space Coast Entrepreneur Summit. It’s the second entrepreneur summit hosted by Posey and local area business groups.

“The entrepreneur summit hosted by Congressman Posey in October 2010 helped SebaiCMET, Inc. understand how to present our technology and business plan to investors. We also met other Brevard businesses to partner with, keeping investment dollars and jobs here in Brevard County. We need to go beyond emails and websites, meeting business owners in person, forming relationships that can have positive impacts on our local economy,” said Christine Tomasetti, Expert Consultant with SebaiCMET.

“As a presenter at the October Summit, I felt that the panel asked questions to make sure we were on the right path and were available to help us move forward," said Loretta Kish, President and CEO of Sea-Watch Technologies, Inc.