CALLING ALL BETA TESTERS

Cataloging New York State’s bio assets and communicating how economic development organizations can help life science and related businesses invest and grow in the Empire State is a priority for NY Loves Bio. What started out as content in a static interactive touch-screen kiosk will soon be live on the Internet. The programming required to transition the database to the Web is about to enter the Beta stage. We need trial users to test the online system before we go live to the world in early January. Please contact Deb Flack if you’re interested in being part of the team to test the programming and identify bugs or glitches.

Should You Be in the Database?
But, there’s no need to delay getting your organization’s profile in the NY Bio Asset Database until the online version becomes available. Every company, academic institution, and economic development organization in the state, working in the bio sector, should create a FREE profile in the database. Go to www.nybioregister.net to create you profile now. Unlike many databases that include nothing more than basic contact information, this is a valuable marketing tool that is just as important as a Web site or a brochure. Each profile provides an opportunity to present your latest marketing copy, and you can upload images and multimedia files to create an exciting, customized online presentation. Plus, it’s completely free – free to enter a profile and free to access data. All it takes is about 30 minutes of your time; no special Web development skills are required. In fact, most people cut and paste information from their Web site or other promotional pieces to complete the profile. Furthermore, this database will help the state’s economic developers in their efforts to retain and attract more bio business to regions around the state.

The database is designed to promote companies and support services with a connection to bio, including agricultural feedstock and chemicals; bio fuel; drugs and pharmaceuticals; medical devices and equipment or research, testing, and laboratories. The database also includes academic institutions, centers of excellence, tech transfer and commercialization offices, incubators, tech parks, venture capital and funding sources, and research labs.

Please visit www.nybioregister.net to enter information directly into the Asset Database; and ask companies and colleges in your area to add their profiles, too. It takes about 30 minutes of your time today; but the pay off will be invaluable in the future.