Sponsors

The University of South Florida is among the top 63 public research universities in the country, currently drawing in more than $300 million in sponsored research funds. The synergy that grows out of the use of current technology to both generate royalties and fund new research that will foster additional technology is especially noteworthy. USF opened its doors in 1960 to 2,000 students. Today, the USF System welcomes more than 47,000 students from across the country and around the globe.

The National Academy of Inventors was founded at the University of South Florida to recognize and encourage inventors who have a patent issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; enhance the visibility of university technology and academic innovation; encourage the disclosure of intellectual property; educate and mentor innovative students; and translate the inventions of its members to benefit society. A researcher's contribution reaches the benchmark of inventorship as recognized by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office because its discovery had no significant prior art, was not obvious to someone else skilled in the field, and had a specific use. Although every invention and every inventor is unique, some things are common to all. It takes imagination and ingenuity to be an inventor. The National Academy of Inventors serves a valuable role in the translation of science and technology within the university community, and for the benefit of society. For members of the Academy, this organization can serve to encourage creative thinking and the spirit of innovation, promote and enhance the development and utilization of inventions, and provide advice and guidance to new and existing inventors in their work.

HSN, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSNI) is a $2.8 billion interactive multi-channel retailer with strong direct-to-consumer expertise among its two operating segments, HSN and Cornerstone Brands. HSNi offers innovative, differentiated retail experiences on TV, online, in catalogs, and in brick and mortar stores. HSNi ships 50 million products and handles 50 million inbound customer calls annually. HSN, which created the television retail industry 31 years ago, now reaches 90 million homes (24 hours a day, seven days a week, live 364 days a year). HSN.com ranks in the top 30 of the top 500 internet retailers, is one of the top 10 trafficked e-commerce sites, and has more than a quarter million unique users every day. In addition to its existing media platforms, HSN is the industry leader in technological innovation including services such as Shop by Remote, the only service of its kind in the U.S., and Video on Demand. Cornerstone Brands comprises leading home and apparel lifestyle brands including Ballard Design, Frontgate, Garnet Hill, Grandin Road, Improvements, Smith+Noble, The Territory Ahead, and Travelsmith. Cornerstone Brands distributes 324 million catalogs annually, operates eight separate e-commerce sites, and runs 25 retail stores.

FLATE is a National Science Foundation's (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Center of Excellence for Florida.
FLATE has offices at St.Petersburg College, the College of Engineering at the University of South Florida and Hillsborough Community College and it partners with academic, industrial and government organizations throughout Florida to build a strong technician workforce in Florida by providing leadership in curriculum reform, models for effective outreach and professional develop for state of the art technologies.

AnyDoc Software announced its support as a Media and Education sponsor of the USF Young Innovator Competition. Founder and CEO, Charles Jackson received his B.A. in Economics from the University of South Florida and is recognized as a pioneer in the software industry, Jackson has launched two successful software technology companies that have been named in Inc. Magazine’s “Inc. 500” list a combined total of five times. Founded in 1989, AnyDoc Software leverages 20 years of experience to provide award-winning automated document, data capture, and classification solutions. More than 3,000 clients and 70,000 users worldwide in 45 countries rely on AnyDoc solutions to eliminate millions of hours of manual data entry while improving productivity and accuracy.

Tampa Armature Works (TAW), founded in 1921 is an official sponsor of the 3rd Annual University of South Florida Young Innovators Competition . TAW services, sells and maintains power generators and power distribution systems throughout the United States and the World. They also service, sell and provide predictive maintenance for: Electric Motors, Servo Motor Repair, Wind Turbine Repair, High, Medium and Low Voltage Motors, DC and Synchronous Motors, Nuclear Safety Related Motors, Power Generators, Transformers, Switchgear and VFD’s and DC Drives. Based in Tampa Bay TAW provide key new career opportunities for the area but also plays an integral part in efficient energy production including new green technologies.

We are pleased to announce the financial support of the University of South Florida Young Innovator Competition by Jack's Magic Products. All Jack’s Magic’s products are of the highest quality, and have been designed to produce results in all types of pools and with all types of sanitizing systems. Whether it’s stain identification, the removal of stains or discoloration associated with swimming pools, or preventative maintenance, there’s a Jack’s Magic product or system to meet the needs of every pool. Jack’s Magic products take the guesswork out of stain identification, removal, and preventative maintenance.

Tampa-based Hallmark Emblems is the leading manufacturer of embroidery and the authorized manufacturer for such prestigious licensors as Major League Baseball, National Football League, National Hockey League, Collegiate, and the National Basketball Association.

The Bay Area Manufacturing Association (BAMA) supports the USF Young Innovator Competition and the November 6th STEM Educator Workshop at Clearwater Beach. We are grateful to BAMA and Steve Meitzen who helped spearhead the effort to introduce Tampa Bay's science, technology, engineering, math and gifted student educators to the innovation competition. Established in 1954, BAMA was organized to serve the collective needs of the growing Tampa Bay manufacturing community. BAMA encourages development and growth of manufacturing industries through education and the exchange of information, while promoting business relationships amoung members.

The Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) was established by the Legislature in 1996 to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and to help develop the workforce to support those industries in the 21-county service areas of the University of Central Florida (UCF) and the University of South Florida (USF). In January 2005, the Council welcomed the University of Florida (UF) as a full partner of this unique economic development initiative, merging the strengths of three world-class universities and bringing the number of Corridor counties to 23.

Bright House Networks awarded the contest an Airtime Grant valued at $15,000. Anna Hopen, the founder of the contest appeared in a public service announcement that aired in more than one million homes. In addition to offering digital cable, high speed Internet and home phone services, Bright House Networks owns and operates two 24-hour local news networks.

Bluewater Media are experts in media, programming and production services. With more than 50 years of combined experience in television, film and multimedia their team of industry leaders have the depth and experience to deliver on any project. Their producers have worked with CNN, ESPN, MTV, HSN, PBS, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, NBC Network and a myriad of production companies. Bluewater has the talent and the experience to create ongoing series, one of a kind documentaries, original and innovative advertising campaigns and unique digital signage solutions.

MOSI Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry generously donated free annual passes to the top ten finalists and free day passes to every participant of the contest. MOSI is a not-for-profit, community-based institution and educational resource that is dedicated to advancing public interest, knowledge, and understanding of science, industry, and technology.

Outback Steakhouse is an Australian steakhouse restaurant. The Company’s strategy is to differentiate its restaurants by emphasizing consistently high-quality food and service, generous portions at moderate prices and a casual atmosphere suggestive of the Australian Outback. OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC, headquartered in Tampa, Florida was founded in 1988 by those who believe in hospitality, sharing, quality, being courageous and having fun! OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC is a company of restaurants that owns and operates Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Roy's Restaurant and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.

The Law Office of Smith & Hopen concentrates its practice exclusively on intellectual property matters which include patents, trademarks, copyrights and franchises. Firm members have been recognized as a leading practitioners in the area of high technology intellectual property development. The firm represents a substantial number of Florida universities as well as private corporations throughout the country.

LEDnovation is a pioneering product and technology company in the Solid State Lighting market. The company is committed to delivering energy efficient, eco-friendly lighting products through the development and deployment of innovative LED lamps and luminaires. LEDnovation’s technological breakthroughs use a fraction of the energy required to power incandescent bulbs without the use of mercury common in CFL or Compact Fluorescent bulbs.

From the very beginning, creative thinking and entrepreneurship were at the heart of the Learning Express concept. Store founders saw the need for a store that would offer high quality toys, books, and games for children all the way through their pre-teen years. Learning Express subscribes to the belief that toys should encourage creativity and learning, foster developmental growth, and, of course, be fun.

Partners Rick Fee and David Jeffries of Fee & Jeffries, P.A. sponsor the USF Young Innovator Competition today. Fee & Jeffries enjoys client relationships with all kinds of businesses, ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. They handle both the resolution of business disputes, as well as the ongoing transactional needs of our business clients. We are pleased to have their support.

Pure Postcards is a national leader in developing creative and unique direct marketing campaigns for entrepreneurs through Fortune 500 companies. Based in Clearwater, Florida, Pure Postcards has been a supporter of local education in science and innovation from the inception of this invention contest.

Sponsorships