UNDRF Partners

Alion

... With locations in 37 states and 14 counties, Alion is far from a start-up. Yet its Grand Forks location within REAC 1 is an example of how a company can expand. As a whole, the company’s work primarily comes from the Department of Defense. In Grand Forks, the focus is on surface engineering to improve reliability and function of engineered surfaces. To do this, they use super- finishing, cold spray and industrial laser technologies.
The Grand Forks location has been around for four years, taking that time to establish its needs, acquire and set up equipment for offices, labs and a processing facility. Accessibility to the UND School of Engineering and Mines has given the group a huge boost, not only with contract partnerships, but lab space and technicians. In total, Alion has 11 employees between its fulltime staff and those partners at UND.




www.alionscience.com

Avianax

... A partnership between Schiltz Food and Farms (Sisseton, S.D.), the UND Research Foundation, and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at UND’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Avianax was established to develop antibodies and vaccines for viral, infectious diseases like West Nile and the Avian Flu. In addition, Schiltz Goose Farms North and Goose R&D have been formed to develop value-added agricultural products residing in Tolna, N.D.
The idea began when Schiltz lost 30 percent of its goose flock to disease. As the largest goose producer in North America, that loss of birds meant a significant loss of revenue. Avianax, working with UNDRF scientists and Dr. Bradley’s laboratory are using goose eggs and sera from Schiltz to produce and develop antibody therapeutics and vaccines to West Nile Virus and influenzas with the hope of solidifying viable products. Those vaccines or antibodies will become business products produced by Avianax or in partnership with a big pharmaceutical or bio- tech company.




Dakota Harvest Bakers

... It all starts with passion. An epicenter of quality fresh ingredients, Grand Forks is the ideal location for a top-quality bakery. Paul Hojle and George Kelley opened their shop in downtown Grand Forks focusing on becoming a hometown bakery turned up a notch. Products used at the bakery are generally fresh and from the region, including dairy from a co-op in Thief River Falls, MN; Crystal sugar, wheat from the Dakota Mill, vine-ripened tomatoes from Park River, ND; Dakota Honey, and more. Products not from
the region focus on social responsibility, such as Fair Trade coffees. While these products tend to be more expensive, the owners believe the quality and taste have more than made up for it.
Make no mistake the company’s name is Dakota Harvest Bakers (not bakery). Even though there is a bakery, the focus is on the bakers. The focus is on the people, not the facility. There are roughly 25 people within the bakery who work between the downtown and REAC locations. Most people who eat at the REAC location work there, at the UND Center for Innovation, or elsewhere within the university. With a menu that changes each month, and soups and sandwiches made freshly each day, who wouldn’t want to stop in and enjoy?




www.dakotaharvest.com

Engineered Surfaces Center

... Established by the UND School of Engineering and Mines as a way to do research and development in the areas of surface wear and corrosion for the Department of Defense, additional goals include stimulating local economic development by transferring technology to local industry. ESC’s scientists and engineer services are also available to anyone who may wish to solve materials or corrosion related problems. The company’s fundamental and applied research and development have an emphasis of advanced surface engineering (superfinishing, laser treatment, thin film coatings, etc).




Ideal Aerosmith

... Ideal’s business strategy is to develop strategic partnerships with major aerospace primes wherein it can provide high value, low volume assemblies and services that are more efficiently performed by a smaller, more nimble supplier. It performs high-value contract and build-to- print manufacturing of test systems, fixtures, test adapters (ITAs), and cables. Ideal can provide test hardware and software design, as well as build-to-print electromechanical assembly.
The company uses its 3,000-square-foot lab and office space within REAC 1 to accelerate its research capability. This is a critical strategy for Ideal in order to maintain its technical leadership and define a strong path for future growth.




www.ideal-aerosmith.com

NovaDigm

... NovaDigm is developing innovative vaccines to protect patients from fungal and bacterial infections, which can be life-threatening and drug resistant. Based in North Dakota with additional research activities at LA BioMed, NovaDigm has received funding from Domain Associates, a leading health care venture capital firm, and collaborates with multiple government agencies.
NovaDigm’s efforts are focused on development of our lead Candida- Staphylococcal vaccine, NDV-3, which is scheduled to begin Phase I clinical studies in 2010. The Company intends to bring this vaccine into clinical development and seek partners for manufacturing and commercialization. NovaDigm is assessing additional bacterial and fungal vaccine antigens to expand its product candidate pipeline.




www.novadigm.net

DMD

... When you’re used to running your small business from your home, shifting to an office environment can do great things for your company. DMD rounds out REAC’s tenant base as the company with the least focus on science. A one-of-a-kind company for the area, DMD works with an extensive client list in the education, federally funded, health care, and government sectors to perform program evaluations, program development, primary research, grant writing, and research related to education. Since nearly all its clients are outside the Red River Valley and North Dakota, DMD proudly brings in its revenues as new dollars to the community. The company is also a great example of how individuals can operate a national business from a community they care about. Owners Don Vangsnes and Dean Schieve mostly interact with clients electronically, however, they do travel or bring in clients to Grand Forks, as well.




www.dmdprojects.com