LOS ALAMOS, New Mexico, April 30, 2012—Ten projects developed by New Mexico small businesses using technical expertise and assistance of Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories will be recognized at the 11th Innovation Celebration Tuesday (May 1) sponsored by the New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program at Encantado Resort in Tesuque.

The researchers from LANL and Sandia Labs, who assisted the companies, will receive a medal from NMSBA.

Among the businesses to be recognized are:

• The Pueblo of Zia, to develop and export renewable energy in a project that aligns its culture and values with its economic goals. LANL assisted the pueblo with site assessments, energy transmission and distribution system access, and economic analysis of energy alternatives.
 
• Herbs, Etc., Santa Fe, which developed a scientifically-based standard for microbe levels in its herbal products. LANL provided analysis of the company’s test standards and advised the company on an acceptable standard for microbe measurement and monitoring.
 
• Musicode Innovations, Taos, created a state-of-the-art design for a musical instrument based on Musical Instrument Digital interface technology with support from Sandia Labs.
 
• SAVSU Technologies, Santa Fe, received assistance from Sandia Labs on a solar thermal ice-making product. SAVSU Technologies plans to deliver life-saving vaccines to the far reaches of the world in storage containers that use solar energy to maintain low temperatures.
 
• Sandia National Labs worked with Albuquerque Delicate Dentistry Inc., to design custom-fitted mouth guards that are lightweight, strong, and shock absorptive.

Since its inception, the NMSBA has provided 1,876 New Mexico small businesses with nearly $30 million in technical assistance. The program created and retained more than 2,300 jobs at an average salary of $38,000. Through the assistance of the NMSBA, these companies also saw their revenue increased by more than $107 million, while their operating costs decreased by $63.6 million. These companies in turn invested $35 million in other New Mexico goods and services and received $41 million in new funding and financing.

Learn more about the New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program at www.nmsbaprogram.org.