Technology growth in Telecom Corridor(R) amid financial services activity

Somewhat lost among all the hubbub of financial service companies hiring hundreds of new workers in Richardson is the fact that the Telecom Corridor® area’s technology sector has continued to grow in both telecom and in a diversified array of other technology verticals. Here are some of the highlights:

Convey Computer, which some call the “Son of Convex” as it reunited a number of the key scientists from the legendary 1990s Richardson super-computer start-up, recently secured an additional $15.5 million in equity funding. With Series A and B round fundings of $16 million in 2007 and $24.2 million in 2009, the latest infusion brings the company’s total capitalization to over $55 million. Convey offices at 1302 E. Collins, which has also served as a base for the business accelerator STARTech.

DeviceFidelity, Deepak Jain’s 2007 creation that occupies space at 2201 N. Central Expy., has leveraged its remarkable patented near-field-communications device technology to enable the  world’s first commercially available mobile payment solution for iPhone and Android, including – as of May, 2013 – Samsung’s latest S4 smartphone.
 

EnTouch Controls, located at 661 N. Plano Road, is a company that will be of interest to commercial real estate professionals. EnTouch uses a Cloud-based solution that allows building owners and their tenants to monitor, analyze and reduce their energy costs. While bringing energy management to small businesses, EnTouch has also helped multi-unit operators like Chuck E. Cheese, which is installing the EnTouch system in 75 of its stores. CEO and founder Greg Fasullo has a wealth of power management experience in the area, having previously served with Lineage Power and Eltek Valere.

Vox Technologies is an engineering company that thrives on unique, complex challenges existing in fields like oil & gas and defense. Every US submarine carries Vox equipment aboard. As founder, CEO and UT Dallas grad John Oshodi puts it, “Our business is knowing.” And Vox must know a lot, because growth and specialized space needs have caused the company to operate out of separate Richardson facilities on Commerce, Glenville and Arapaho.

Cirasys, Inc. is another amazing Richardson technology company that is worth keeping an eye on. Its innovative power control technology has been praised by the Rice Alliance ("Most Promising Energy & Clean Technology Company"), TexChange (“One to Watch”), and Siemens ("Best Presentation" at the 2013 Siemens TTB New Ventures Forum, Berkeley June, 2013). Currently, the company resides at UT Dallas’ Venture Development Center. 

In addition, 11 Richardson companies and/or representatives were nominated for the Metroplex Technology Business Council (MTBC) Tech Titans awards. The 13th Annual Tech Titans Awards gala will be held the evening of August 23 to honor companies and professionals who have made strides to advance technology in Dallas-Fort Worth. The Richardson City Council recognized the following Richardson nominees "hometown technology heroes" for their achievements and designation as a 2013 Tech Titans finalist at the August 12 City Council meeting:

On almost every commercial street in the Telecom Corridor®, companies are exploring ways to improve or revolutionize the way we live and do business. Companies like the ones described here are just a sample of what makes Richardson a center for innovation.