Two companies started by VCU faculty, student group nominated for tech awards

By Lorraine Cichowski
VCU News Services

Two local companies founded by VCU faculty members have been selected by the Greater Richmond Technology Council as finalists for awards given annually to honor top technology organizations in the Richmond area.

OrbitalMed, LLC, a telemedicine company, was chosen as a finalist in the Infineon Technologies' Technology Innovation Award category. This award is given to an organization that has developed or uses technology that holds significant promise. OrbitalMed was co-founded by Ronald C. Merrell, M.D., chair of surgery.

kSERO Corp., which develops early learning products, was nominated for the council's Computer Resource Team Technology SkillBuilder Award. This award is given to an institution or organization that executes its mission by integrating and promoting technology as an integral part of the learning or work experience. kSERO was co-founded by Donald J. Abraham, Ph.D., professor of medicinal chemistry and director of the Institute for Structural Biology and Drug Discovery.

Also nominated for the SkillBuilder Award was VCU's ChemEngine, the first student-run chemical engineering consulting company in the nation. The company, which was started by two engineering students in 1999 and sponsored by Gary S. Huvard, Ph.D., associate professor and assistant chair of chemical engineering, rents an office at the School of Engineering. It is open to all chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering students and has delivered projects for various companies, including DuPont.

Both kSERO and OrbitalMed are headquartered at the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park, adjacent to the VCU Medical Center.

Winners will be announced May 1 at the council's 8th Annual Technology Stars Awards Gala. The awards gala is expected to attract approximately 800 individuals, corporate and community leaders, entrepreneurs and pioneers in the Greater Richmond region.