NCD Technologies LLC
www.ncdtechnologies.com
Madison Scientist Turns Technology into Business
For a scientist, thinking like a business person can be a challenge. Just ask scientist Patrick Heaney, who in 2009 started NCD Technologies LLC around a technology he developed as a PhD student at UW-Madison. Fortunately for Heaney, UW-Madison Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Business Counselor Jack Reiners had the business savvy he lacked.
“I actually wanted to do some grant proposals and start a business before I graduated, but Jack kept me focused. He sort of reined in my scientific brain and made me think more objectively, more business like, so I could progress and move forward,” said Heaney.
SBIR Funding Success
Reiners connected Heaney to additional assistance through the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network (WEN) to submit a grant application, and in May 2010 Heaney received a $150,000 Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Science Foundation. Those grant funds helped to further advance Heaney’s nanocrystaline diamond coatings, a superior engineering material that can resolve current deficiencies for enhanced novel cutting to efficiently produce micro components.
Heaney also placed in the top 12 of the 2010 Governor’s Business Plan Competition, which he entered at the encouragement of Reiners and WEN.
Starting and Growing a Business
Heaney first encountered the SBDC through a class on commercialization taught by Reiners. “I defiantly learned enough in that class to know I should reach out and start working with Jack. He was very crucial in keeping me organized in the beginning. He also helped me develop a few scenarios, sort of business plan outlines, to better define what direction was best for me”
Heaney continues to work with Reiners as he moves toward commercialization. Early next year, Heaney will submit an SBIR Phase I report and commercialization plan, required for Phase II funding. “I will do beta testing next month with some real customers to get real industrial feedback as well as a better pricing strategy, so I can have a much stronger commercialization plan.“
Plans and Expectations
NCD has formed a strategic alliance with a manufacturer/distributor in Janesville, reports Heaney. “I will add my product to his catalog, so I can get an initial market penetration as quickly as possible. “
Currently utilizing space on the UW campus, Heaney works with UW Professors to develop a new hybrid process to further improve NCD coatings over anything currently on the market. He expects to hire employees by the end of this year and plans to build a commercial deposition chamber away from the university sometime next year.
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