New companies growing at Innovation Park

Entrepreneurs Karunya Kandimalla and Greg Dudley both believe that if it were not for the Small Business Development Center at Innovation Park, they would probably not be able to pursue their business goals.

Kandimalla and Dudley are working on biotechnology projects, researching and developing active organic ingredients for use in medicine and everyday household items. Their young companies are utilizing resources and business support that are critical for the firms’ eventual success.

“All this started with a dream,” said Kandimalla, who owns the startup DiscovRx. “A lot of things needed to happen for us to get here.”

DiscovRx is using lab space at the small business incubator in Innovation Park to research and redesign all-natural oils in skin creams for babies and children. Kandimalla applied for one of Innovation Park’s Technology Commercialization Grants and was selected for funding.

Because of the grant and Innovation Park’s facilities, Kandimalla said he has the lab space he needs at an affordable rate, leaving him with resources to develop a Web site and brochures.

“I’m doing what I always wanted to do,” said the Florida A&M University School of Pharmacy professor. “I’m in academics, and most of my peers are in the industrial field. I thought I was missing out. It’s like a lawyer who studied law and has never been in the courtroom.”

The Leon County Research and Development Authority created the Innovation Park Technology Commercialization Grant program five years ago. The recipients are awarded up to $15,000 to help them develop their technology-related businesses, commercialize a technology and market the resulting products. The Research and Development Authority has awarded more than $200,000 in grants since the program was started.

Besides the grants and the incubator program, Linda Nicholsen, Innovation Park executive director, said the

Entrepreneurs Karunya Kandimalla and Greg Dudley both believe that if it were not for the Small Business Development Center at Innovation Park, they would probably not be able to pursue their business goals.

Kandimalla and Dudley are working on biotechnology projects, researching and developing active organic ingredients for use in medicine and everyday household items. Their young companies are utilizing resources and business support that are critical for the firms’ eventual success.

“All this started with a dream,” said Kandimalla, who owns the startup DiscovRx. “A lot of things needed to happen for us to get here.”

DiscovRx is using lab space at the small business incubator in Innovation Park to research and redesign all-natural oils in skin creams for babies and children. Kandimalla applied for one of Innovation Park’s Technology Commercialization Grants and was selected for funding.

Because of the grant and Innovation Park’s facilities, Kandimalla said he has the lab space he needs at an affordable rate, leaving him with resources to develop a Web site and brochures.

“I’m doing what I always wanted to do,” said the Florida A&M University School of Pharmacy professor. “I’m in academics, and most of my peers are in the industrial field. I thought I was missing out. It’s like a lawyer who studied law and has never been in the courtroom.”

The Leon County Research and Development Authority created the Innovation Park Technology Commercialization Grant program five years ago. The recipients are awarded up to $15,000 to help them develop their technology-related businesses, commercialize a technology and market the resulting products. The Research and Development Authority has awarded more than $200,000 in grants since the program was started.

Besides the grants and the incubator program, Linda Nicholsen, Innovation Park executive director, said there is additional help available from the Florida A&M University Small Business Development Center staff to help entrepreneurs develop their business plans, sharpen their financial management skills and learn various marketing methods.

re is additional help available from the Florida A&M University Small Business Development Center staff to help entrepreneurs develop their business plans, sharpen their financial management skills and learn various marketing methods.