'High Impact' project focuses on innovative companies
Business First, by John R. Karman III - March 25, 2005
Helping local fast-growth and innovative companies overcome obstacles that might impede their progress is
the goal of a new program created by Louisville-Jefferson Count Metro Government and Greater Louisville Inc.,
the metro chamber of commerce.
The initiative, which is the called the High Impact program is a public-private partnership designed to
serve a variety of emerging and established companies by identifying needs and providing an array of
support services.
For more than a year, officials with Louisville Metro and GLI have interviewed local business executives
and compiled data on their firms to form the first High Impact portfolio of companies. They identified
350 local firms that could be considered for the distinction.
The initial 61 businesses chosen for the portfolio were scheduled to be introduced yesterday during an
event the Galt House Hotel & Suites after Business First's press deadline.
Now that the portfolio has been created, a number of support activities are in the works, including CEO
roundtable discussions, networking events and forums for sharing best practices, according to Lisa
Bajorinas, director of the High Impact portfolio for the chamber.
In addition, through their participation in the program, High Impact companies can be connected by metro
government or GLI to capital access, talent attraction and business expansion resources, she said.
"We make a lot of introductions," Bajorinas added. "We broker a lot of relationships through this program
to try to get knowledgeable resources attached to whatever their particular need is."
Mayor has talked to executives about variety of issues
"We want to make sure that we follow through on their concerns and that we analyze the trends and make
sure that we can respond."
- Jerry Abramson
Louisville Metro Mayor
The High Impact program was established by Louisville Metro mayor Jerry Abramson's office after a series
of discussions with local entrepreneurs, members of the banking and venture capital communities and
leaders of several fast-growth companies.
It is being funded by Louisville Metro through a $100,000 budget appropriation.
Abramson said he already has spoken directly to executives at a number of the High Impact companies to
gauge their level of satisfaction with the local business climate, to examine positive and negative trends
and to answer questions and address concerns.
Topics of conversation have ranged from "nitty-gritty" problems, such s the need for a traffic light near
a business, to "reasonably sophisticated" issues, including business attraction and retention efforts,
the mayor added.
"We want to make sure that we follow through on their concerns and that we analyze the trends and make
sure that we can respond," Abramson said.
Companies fall into three categories
The 61 companies in the High Impact program fall into three categories, Bajorinas said.
"Gazelles," or fast-growth business, are companies at least 4 years old, profitable with $1 million in
annual revenue and have achieved at least 20 percent revenue growth in each of the past four years.
Of the 61 High Impact firms, 35 fall into this category.
"Renaissance firms" are "a bit more mature companies," Bajorinas said, and are going through some type of
"significant revitalization," such as a product launch, expansion to a new market, senior leadership
adjustment or ownership change. Eighteen businesses in the portfolio have been designated as renaissance
firms.
The third group is "enabling companies," which are described as smaller firms that provide a vital product
or service that allows other business to thrive. Examples are business incubators, investment firms and
technology providers.
Eight of the High Impact firms are in the enabling category.
Ben Blincoe, president and CEO of Premier Packaging Inc., a corrugated box manufacturer located at
Jefferson Riverport International, applauded the new High Impact initiative. Premier Packaging is
one of the companies included in the portfolio and is considered a gazelle.
He called the program "a great idea" because it will provide companies with a way to learn about business
development and attraction initiatives.
"It's getting tougher to do business in Louisville," he said, but projects such as the High Impact program
should help business owners.
High Impact Portfolio of Companies
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The Gazelles
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Accent Marketing Services
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CRM solutions including customer care, loyalty marketing, customer satisfaction, sales
support and lead generation.
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ADSnetcurve
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Design, implement and support IT solutions.
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Advanced Imaging Concepts Inc.
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Electronic medical records (EMR) software developer for the healthcare industry.
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Appriss Inc.
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Software-based, voice application developer for Federal and government protection of citizens.
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Autodemo LLC
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Software and web site demonstration developer.
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Bays-Brown Laboratories Inc.
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Manufacturer and distributor, through retail and contract consultants, of high-end skincare product line.
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Doe Anderson Inc.
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Full service advertising, PR, direct marketing, design, interactive, and CRM agency.
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Emergint Technologies Inc.
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Health data solutions company providing clinical data for research activities and homeland security.
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Fellon-McCord & Associates
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Energy consulting and management services to large commercial and industrial customers.
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First Commonwealth Mortgage Corp.
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Regional, Internet-based mortgage broker.
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First Omni Mortgage Network
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Regional, Internet-based mortgage products and services.
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Five Star Development Inc.
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Designer and builder of condominiums, apartments and other structures.
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Genscape Inc.
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Originator of real-time U.S. power supply information via the web using patented technology.
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High Power Technical Services Inc.
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Satellite television seller and installer of DISH (data interchange for shipping) network systems.
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Hosting.com
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Web hosting, web and software application development and wireless services.
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ICAP Energy LLC
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Energy brokerage firm.
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Inspire Medical Inc.
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Staffing company for emergency rooms in hospitals in rural KY and S Indiana with qualified physicians.
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Interactive Media Lab
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Multimedia lab specializing in design & development of interactive, video and online solutions for businesses.
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LeapFrog Inc.
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Interactive media agency specializing in web design; search engine marketing; web hosting and connectivity.
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MedAssist Inc.
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Outsourcing firm to healthcare providers, primarily hospitals nationally, for patient, eligibility, reimbursement mgmt and collections services.
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Monty's Plant Food Co.
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Manufacturer, marketer and seller of natural plant food and plant enhancement products.
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My Career Network.com LLC
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Regional job portal and candidate tracking software.
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Neace Lukens
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Insurance agency, risk management and benefits solutions provider.
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Premier Packaging
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Maker of custom box and foam packaging materials.
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Quilts by Donna
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Designer and distributor of quilts, handbags, jackets and accessories via gift shops, quilt stores, catalogs and tradeshows.
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Risk Management Services Corporation
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Third party administrator providing risk management services such as claims administration, loss prevention and program administration.
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Rx Crossroads
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Develop and manage tailored product support programs for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device manufacturers.
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Stored Value Systems Inc.
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Introduced the first-ever magnetic-striped retail gift card to shoppers in 1995 and provide electronic gift certificate and card-based transaction programs.
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Summit Energy Services Inc.
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Manage the energy needs of F500 companies.
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Thoroughbred Technologies LLC
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Remanufacture and recycle inkjet cartridges.
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U.S. Voice & Data
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Seller and installer of telephone, voicemail, WAN, audio/video, teleconferencing systems and structured cable.
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U.S. Wireless Online
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Digital, wireless broadband services.
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V-Soft Consulting Group Inc.
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Information technology staffing and consulting firm.
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Xodiax Data Centers-a peak 10 company
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Provide co-location of mission-critical servers, web hosting, disaster recovery solutions and Internet access.
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ZirMed Inc.
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Software developer enabling physicians to file claims electronically.
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The Renaissance Companies
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Advanced Business Solutions
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Provider of computer services, as outsourced IT, for companies.
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Air Hydro Power Inc.
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Manufacturer of engineered solutions in pneumatics, hydraulics, motion controls and systems.
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ATA - Career Education
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Provider of career education and corporate training in IT, medical coding and dental assistance
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Caldwell Industries
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Supplier of non-metallic stampings, extrusions, injection molded parts and assemblies of any combination of the three.
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Churchill Downs
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Thoroughbred horse racing, race tracks and entertainment.
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Conforma Clad Inc.
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Provider of severe wear solutions, using tungsten carbide, for fabricated metal components.
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FKI Security Group
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Manufacture fire-proof file cabinets and safes; provider of surveillance systems. Founded Image Vault: manufacturer of PC-based, multi-functional digital video surveillance equipment.
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International Systems of America Inc.
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Provider of service contracts, parts and repair for circuitry boards.
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Ipop.com
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eBusiness solutions including email filtering, web design, development and web hosting.
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KFG Enterprises Inc.
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Estate and financial planning.
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Lantech.com
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Manufacturer of stretch wrap equipment and provide case handling, shrink wrapping and palletizing.
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Peptides International Inc.
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Maker and distributor of biochemical products for major research institutions globally.
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ProMedia Group
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Full service advertising, marketing and multi-media production agency.
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Q Fix Inc.
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Operate service garages at diesel truck stops along interstate highways.
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Qk4
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Urban engineering, architecture, planning, design and construction.
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Saturn Distributing
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Wholesale satellite business in the small dish market; offer high-speed Internet access to rural areas.
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Shippers Supply Company Inc.
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Largest independent distributor of shipping, packaging materials and equipment.
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Spatial Data Integrations Inc.
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Provide digital mapping and GIS services to government, utilities and private sector.
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The Enablers
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bCatalyst Advisors LLC
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Business brokerage and merger and acquisition transactions for the middle market.
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Chrysalis Ventures LLC
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Investment firm in early stage and expansion companies.
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Cobalt Ventures LLC
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Investment firm in operating businesses and urban real estate.
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Louisville Medical Center Development Corporation
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A non-profit organization enabling the community to capitalize on the economic development potential throughout the Louisville Medical Center.
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Merit Health Systems LLC
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Acquire and manage hospitals nationally.
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MetaCyte Business Lab LLC
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Venture development subsidiary of LMCDC that creates companies and assists in the development of companies created by others in the Life Sciences industry.
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Price Data Systems
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Provide highly scalable systems and data analysis, design and development services for businesses and financial software packages.
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Stonestreet One Inc.
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Provider of short-range wireless solutions with special focus on Bluetooth technology.
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