Homeland Security Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center Awards Challenge Grants to Three Chicago-Area Firms.

EVANSTON, Ill. -- The Homeland Security Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Northwestern University (HSIEC), formed to catalyze the development of homeland defense and security technologies, products and services, announced it has awarded Challenge Grants to Sensor Synergy of Buffalo Grove, Ill., SSS Research, Inc. of Naperville, Ill. and Uponus Technologies, LLC of Wilmette, Ill.

Sensor Synergy, Inc. provides industrial and public safety customers with a simplified process for connecting sensors and actuators to the Internet and local networks using a common interface. The company develops unique software and hardware tools that implement low-cost and easy-to-use sensor-to-Internet interfaces. These solutions can be used with a standard internet-connected Web browser to monitor and control industrial processes or sensor networks.

SSS Research is a leading global software and services company. SSS Research's mission is to provide customers in industry and government with thin client, Web 2.0 solutions focused in the area of visualization, geospatial and complex data analysis crafted to meet their specific challenges and enable them to profit from the advanced use of technology. SSS Research has several major government contracts and has received an Innovative Product Grant from the state of Illinois to help develop high-tech homeland security products and create new jobs. The company is transitioning from a R&D firm to one that markets key products including Fusion(TM), Decide(TM) and Thinc Interface(TM).

Uponus Technologies, LLC develops lossless compression and encryption technologies that enhance the ability of companies to handle, communicate, control, store and protect their data. Uponus' patent- pending encryption engine, SASET (Safe and Secure Encryption), is capable of encrypting streaming data on the fly in both wired and wireless settings with virtually no latency. Uponus has targeted applications for homeland security, military, and intelligence agencies as well as for companies in the entertainment, financial services, and healthcare fields, where existing compression and encryption standards do not meet the needs of users.

"Homeland security relies on the ability to access, analyze and communicate disparate data quickly," said Bret Johnson, director of HSIEC. "All three companies receiving HSIEC Challenge Grants address unique data challenges and share the promise of generating valuable solutions and more jobs in the state of Illinois. We are pleased to award these companies Illinois Entrepreneurship Network Challenge Grants."

Illinois Entrepreneurship Network Challenge Grants provide $5,000 matching funds to help high-growth small businesses achieve critical business milestones. Companies supported by the HSIEC also receive important business services including management assistance and coaching, product development and technology commercialization advice, market intelligence and access to angel and venture capital.

About HSIEC

The Homeland Security Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center is part of a statewide network of Entrepreneurship Centers sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The Center is a strategic partnership among the Homeland Security Market Development Bureau within DCEO, the Illinois Technology Enterprise Center (ITEC) in Evanston and Northwestern University. The Center launched in October 2005 with $350,000 in Opportunity Returns support provided by Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich. For more information, visit http://www.homelandsecurityiec.org.