14 May 2009 Salem, MA – The Enterprise Center at Salem State College and the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council are proud to announce the winners of the 2009 North of Boston Business Plan Competition.  . Glymetrix of Salem won the grand prize of $10,000. Ashton Industries of Boxford came in second winning $6,000 and Halcyon Diagnostics, Inc. of Beverly took home the third prize of $4,000.

“This competition showcases the breadth and quality of new growth businesses in our region.  North of Boston is a great place to work and live and this plan underscores our commitment to the business community,” said Christine Sullivan, Executive Director of the Enterprise Center at Salem State College.

The winners are:

First Place: Glymetrix, Salem, MA

Glymetrix provides innovative engagement strategies to motivate better diabetes management through the use of games, rewards and incentives.

“This group of competition winners has built diversified management teams, strong business models, and products that are either innovative or are produced in new ways. We congratulate Glymetrix and all the companies that participated in this competition and thank them for their critical role in growing the regional economy”, said Bob Halpin, President of the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council.

Thirty companies entered the contest. Of these, six semi-finalists were chosen by a panel of  investors, bankers, business owners, academics and entrepreneurs. Of the six, three finalists were selected to participate in the finale and vie for $20,000 in prize money.

Several of the finalists worked closely with the SBA’s Small Business Development Center at Salem State College. The SBDC provides one on one free business advising, assistance with raising capital, and seminars on a wide array of business topics.
Corporate sponsors of the competition include platinum sponsors Eastern Bank, gold sponsor ; Salem Five, silver sponsor; Burns & Levinson, LLP, Danversbank, North Shore Bank, and North Shore Technology Council, silver sponsors and The Salem Evening News, media sponsor.

Cosponsors include 128 Innovation Capital Group, Amesbury Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bertolon School of Business, Salem State College, Beverly Chamber of Commerce, Cape Ann Business Incubator, Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, , Creative Economy Association of the North Shore, Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce, Marblehead Chamber of Commerce, Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce, North Shore Chamber of Commerce, Peabody Chamber of Commerce, Salem Chamber of Commerce, Salem State College Alumni Association, Small Business Development Center at Salem State College.

Contact Information for finalists:

Tom Hunter, CEO
Glymetrix
121 Loring Ave.  Suite 540
Salem, MA 01970
978-740-5900
781-346-4461 cell
thunter@glymetrix.com
www.glymetrix.com

Heather Ashton Manolian, Cofounder and CEO
Ashton Industries, Inc.
P.O. Box 121
Boxford, MA  01921
978-882-2173
www.myarchangels.com
heather@myarchangels.com
 
James G. Cullem, J.D., Managing Principal
Aurora Nova, LLC
458 Boston Street
Suite 1-3
Topsfield, MA 01983
jcullem@AuroraNovaIP.com
www.AuroraNovaIP.com

ph: (978) 986-0993
fax: (978) 986-2000