T h e I n n v a T o rA N e w s l e t t e r f o r E n t r e p r e n e u r s

T h i r d E d i t i o n , J u n e 2 0 1 2

When entrepreneurs Michael Finnegan and Thomas Endres first met with the Orange County IDA and the Orange County Business Accelerator in 2009, they had dreams of a full-scale commercial aquaponics operation right here in Orange County. With entrepreneurial assistance from the Accelerator as a resident client since January 2010, these men have now realized their dreams.

This year, Continental Organics became the first resident client of the Accelerator to graduate, and opened its 70,000-square-foot facility custom-built for aquaponics - the cultivation of fish and produce in a symbiotic environment - just minutes from the Accelerator on Mount Airy Road in New Windsor, N.Y. The Accelerator spearheaded the company’s business plan development efforts and helped raised $6 million in capital funds for the early-stage start-up, which ultimately plans for expansion to a 900,000-square-foot facility.

“We saw Mike and Tom put pen to paper since the start and it’s great to see them succeed,” said OCBA Managing Director Peter Gregory. “Though we enjoy working with our clients to improve their business plans, network and conduct other business development activities, it’s a pleasure watching our clients grow, prosper and graduate into an independent operation. We’re proud to see them flourish.”

A veteran-owned company, Continental Organics will employ 120 people at full build - at least half of them will be military veterans. With a list of strong clients, such as the Department of Defense, Hunt’s Point and The Culinary Institute of America, the aquaponics firm will be busy churning out 100,000 lbs. of tilapia and 3 million heads of lettuce per year right here in Orange County. “Orange County is the place to be,” said Finnegan. “The county planning department has a great focus on agri-business and a real plan for this business sector, one which many counties foolishly dismiss as a growing

industry. Additionally, the IDA has been extremely supportive of our endeavor, which led us to the Accelerator.”

Finnegan calls the Accelerator “Ground Zero for Orange County,” citing his early observations of heavy foot traffic from public officials, business leaders and other decision-makers on a daily basis. The Accelerator offers access to a network of advisors second-to-none, in a variety of industries, including marketing and public relations, finance, government affairs, communications and IT infrastructure, among other business functions.

Endres added, “The Accelerator gave us access to all the right government and civic officials in the county. From County Executive Ed Diana to Jim O’Donnell and Jim Petro of the Orange County IDA, there was definitely no shortage of advice and information flowing through the Accelerator. The ability to bounce around ideas with organizations, such as Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp, right next door, was also ideal.”

THE INTERSECTION OF CAPITAL, TALENT ... AND INNOVATION

Continental Organics opens state-of-the-art aquaponics operation, becomes first Accelerator graduate

(Continued on next page)

OCBA Managing Director Peter J. Gregory, at left, stops in for a tour of the new headquarters of Continental Organics in New Windsor with co-owners Thomas Endres and Michael Finnegan.

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( C o n t i n u e d f r o m f r o n t p a g e )

The start of 2012 has been very busy at the Accelerator as we expand services to our clients and reach out to a broader market to attract showcase startup companies to the Accelerator.

It is a bittersweet moment as we see Phil Crotty off into his “second retirement.” Among many other large projects Phil has completed in his career in Orange County, the Accelerator came to fruition from his initial concept to implementation. We wish Phil all the best in his future days and he, of course, will have a permanent coffee mug here for when he stops in.

The Accelerator has made great strides since its inception in 2009. Our clientele has grown to include 23 clients and tenants. The dream of Continental Organics co-owners Michael Finnegan and Thomas Endres have come to fruition. Our weekly business seminars have grown to include great speakers in a variety of business topics, including best marketing practices, strategy, avoiding the pitfalls of hiring and raising capital. Through the increasing use of technology, we’ve even conducted a remote seminar on the mobility product Evernote by featuring a subject matter expert who we video-conferenced with live from North Carolina.

In this newsletter, you’ll read about some of our newest clients - CSA2 and EOS Cases - and get an update from legacy client 4E Productions on their “Letters to Daddy” theatre production campaign. Check out the back page for an update on our seminar series.

But there is more work to be done.

In an ongoing effort to offer a larger variety of business development and marketing solutions to today’s entrepreneurial challenges, the Accelerator is stepping up its game to provide more exciting Pop-up Knowledge and Entrepreneur Knowledge Series seminars and ramping up efforts to bring more real jobs, right here at home in Orange County.

Hope you to see you at the Accelerator!

Sincerely,

Peter J. GregoryManaging Director

Dear friends,

Crotty

With nearly two dozen clients, there’s great opportunity to coordinate and cooperate with other entrepreneurs and fledging businesses, all on the same floor. Business solutions are always right around the corner: new media and online marketing with Frugaldoo, online reputation management with new client Cyber Securities Auditors & Administrators (CSA2), marketing tips with the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), event marketing with Community Communications, web development with Sugar Websites, and more.

“The synergy between clients here at the Accelerator is amazing. Innovation and collaboration are always in the works,” said Gregory. “As a matter of fact, most recently, CSA2 and long-time client Management Resources, Ltd. recently engaged in a business partnership where CSA2 will be providing online forensics support for Bob Rahn’s private investigative team. Our clients are always on the prowl for education and partnerships.”

The Entrepreneur Knowledge Series and Pop-up Knowledge Series have been a great resource for Accelerator clients, as well as business owners, public officials and business leaders throughout the Hudson Valley, New York State and the Northeast. The Accelerator’s competitive advantage reaches far and wide.

Gregory added, “The Accelerator is always looking for entrepreneurs with new, innovative ideas and technology to share with the consumer world. Every day, we’re helping companies pivot to respond to new market conditions. From health science to e-marketing platforms, and even to the semiconductor production of tomorrow with Futrfab, we’re open to the new generation of business and employment. The possibilities are endless here at the Accelerator…the intersection of capital, talent and innovation!”

For more info on Accelerator clients, check out ocaccelerator.com/neighbors.php

At full build, the new Continental Organics facility will churn out 100,000 lbs. of tila-pia and 3 million heads of lettuce every year.

Letter from the Managing Director

When it comes to customized iPhone cases, nothing beats a personalized, machined product from the Accelerator’s newest resident client Elite Outfitting Solutions (EOS). Owner John Koerner offers the ultimate in consumer luxury goods with his landmark product – an iPhone case designed with either aircraft grade aluminum, solid blocks of stainless steel, or G10 (glass-enforced laminate), and a unique look.

“I’m a machinist by trade and was looking for a way to increase my exposure,” said Koerner. “The Accelerator was a natural fit.”

Koerner credits the Accelerator for its great marketing seminars and network

of advisors. “I attended a recent seminar with branding maven Geri Mazur and came away with great advice and action steps. The seminars have definitely been a big help in marketing my custom products.”

For more info on Elite Outfitting Solutions, check out eoscases.com

Founded by a team of risk management experts, CSA² provides information risk management services and risk elimination products. It offers companies and professional organizations a reliable way to measure current risk exposure to potential cyber intrusions and to maintain compliance with state and federal laws.

“We take a holistic approach to security and privacy,” said Alan Heyman, EVP and Managing Director of Product Development and Technology Solutions. “We can help your company manage social media reputation – a particular strength of ours, streamline IT efforts, and provide solutions to a variety of other cyber security needs.”

The company has already take full advantage of its membership, having forged a relationship with another Accelerator client – Management Resources – offering online forensics for the private investigations firm.

Heyman added, “The Accelerator has been a great source of marketing advice and lead generation for CSA2. We look forward to continuing the relationship we’ve built with the Accelerator and other clients as we strive to help local companies become more secure and prosper.”

For more info on CSA2, check out csa2llc.com

New Client Profile: Elite Outfitting Solutions

New Client Profile: Cyber Security Advisors & Administrators

Client Q&A: Will Rodman, CEO, 4E Productions

4E Productions joined the Accelerator nearly two years ago as an associate client, then shortly thereafter matured into residency. In Fall 2011, the company launched its musical “Letters to Daddy” and has since commenced licensing and continued productions with school districts local and across the continent.

How’s life at the Accelerator?

The team here at the Accelerator has helped us solidify a place in the region. Without the contacts we’ve made within the county ranks, we would not have had such a successful launch of “Letters to Daddy.” The relationships we’ve forged have been instrumental in our success so far – many thanks to the Accelerator family.

The live performance industry can be tough at times. What’s keeping 4E Productions optimistic?

Trust and belief. We deeply trust in those involved in the campaign – local partners, the child actors and actresses, supporters and families – everyone who has stake in this project. We believe that

they’ll do their best to spread our message and help us achieve our mission, and enjoy the ride in the process.

What’s your next move?

Well, we’re still early in our evolution. We’re working on licensing the play to other school districts around the country and developing a marketing strategy to implement the launch. Our mission has always been to enlighten, empower and enrich everyone – it’s where our name comes from. We won’t stop moving until our message is heard around the world.

For more info, check out 4EProductions.com

OCBA Managing Director Peter J. Gregory stops in for a chat with EOS owner John Koerner.

Peter Gregory Managing Director pgregory@ocaccelerator.com

Kelly ReillyClient Services Specialistkreilly@ocaccelerator.com

Contacts...

Our Current Clients and Tenants...

In the three years the Accelerator has been offering competitive

advantage to entrepreneurs, Managing Director Peter Gregory has noticed

the number one business strategy lacking is a comprehensive marketing and

branding plan.

“Many entrepreneurs we have met with who are seeking business

assistance lack one of the most important elements of a strong business

plan – a marketing strategy,” said Gregory. “So, we’ve answered the call

with more seminars and more marketing and branding-based topics.”

The Spring 2012 Seminar Season featured nearly two dozen events with

exciting business topics, such as webinars, cloud computing, videography in

online marketing, mobile workforce strategy and more!

“We’re taking business development to the next level here in Orange

County. We’re bringing in former New York City business executives,

leading business organizations, such as National Federation of Independent

Businesses and the Procurement Technical Assistance Program, and local

technical experts to bring small business owners and entrepreneurs up to

speed on the latest technology and strategies.”

For more info on past events, and to stay tuned to the Fall 2012 season,

check out ocaccelerator.com/events.php

Accelerator taking marketing education to new heights in Orange County

OCBA Managing Director Peter J. Gregory, Carol Smith and Cynthia Marsh-Croll of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce talk to local businessmen and women about the chamber’s Entrepreneurial Assis-tance Program at a Pop-up Knowledge Series seminar at the Accelera-tor in April.

S O L A R

4 Crotty Lane, Suite 100New Windsor, N.Y. 12553

Office: 845.220.2208Fax: 845.220.2228ocaccelerator.com