unleashing
national impact
igniting local
transformation
EM13RACE is an Adaptive Clothing Company that is designed to bring comfort and convince those living with a limb difference to showcase their best human potential by starting with the clothes you put on in the morning. EM13RACE was created based on the needs of founder Alexia Michitti's personal experience as a member of the limb different community. Throughout Alexia's life, typical hoodies and long-sleeved shirts were too long, and it ended up being not only a safety concern but a hoodie or long-sleeved shirt that was too long for her arm that presented safety concerns and the inability to feel comfortable in her clothes. Knowing there are millions of other people part of the limb different community that share similar difficulties, Alexia started EM13RACE. EM13RACE develops well-fitting comfortable clothing designed specifically for those part of the limb different community which is fulfilling a need that has not been met yet.
"The SBDC has been a crucial part of the development of my small business. Starting a small business while in college is a challenge but Anna has helped me leverage the benefits of being a college student and starting a small business."
Alexia contacted the SBDC and worked with Advisor Anna Hancock from the Binghamton SBDC to get information on how to protect her idea and develop financial projections with a pitch deck to use at competitions. Alexia took home first place at the Pitch It! Pitch Competition and took home the third place award in her category. She also won the Community Founder Award at the New York Business Plan Competition.
Since working with the SBDC, Alexia received approval for the utility patent for her innovation and officially launched the EM13RACE website and is accepting orders. From college business competitions, filing for an LLC, research, and so much more the SBDC has helped Alexia's company EM13RACE, flourish over the last year and a half.
Hydras Engineering, PLLC is a woman-owned civil engineering consulting company with a focus on water resources. The company was established in 2023 by Alaina Smith, who brings over 30 years of experience to the firm. Having worked on rivers and streams from Arizona to Alaska, California to Maine, she brings an array of experience to every project she works on. Alaina combines extensive fieldwork with technical knowledge and a strong modeling background to provide fully comprehensive designs intentionally developed to help communities improve safety and resiliency while holding nature paramount. She is passionate about empowering clients with knowledge and assisting them in implementing effective flood-proofing measures to safeguard their loved ones and property. Safety and security are the company's top priorities.
"I can't recommend the SBDC staff and services enough to any person starting a new business, regardless of experience. Susan leads the group with a solid and compassionate authority, Karina steers the Marketing Class with grace, skill, and a deep understanding of the subject matter, Mauricio is a wealth of information in the business and contracting realm and Bailey is the person to know for certifications. With Bailey's guidance and review, I was able to receive my certification as a WBE two days after filing the paperwork. Thanks to all the folks on and behind the scenes at the SBDC."
Alaina participated in the Buffalo SBDC's Marketing and Contract Readiness class, led by Advisor Karina Loeras with input from Advisor Mauricio Diaz, Director Dr. Susan McCartney, and Advisor Bailey Brouillard. Advisor Loera assisted Alaine with her elevator pitch, capability statement and certification application. With SBDC assistance, Alaina Smith received her Women Owned Business Certification (WBE) from New York State in June 2024.
Alaina Smith submitted her application on June 12th, 2024. Two days later her business was successfully certified as a WBE on June 14th! The Buffalo State SBDC regional center was excited and proud of Alaina Smith for achieving this milestone in her business journey.
Vasily Jorjadze is a long time research scientist at both the Brookhaven National Lab and Stony Brook University working on technology advancement ranging from Rare Earth Element Extraction & Processing, Waste to Energy, Nano Particles, Waste Processing, and Water Purification (notably PFAS). Since 2011, he has worked to develop industrial methods for waste and material processing and renewable energy. Dr. Jorjadze founded IM Technologies in 2019 to transition the high-temperature furnace technology from the Physics Laboratory of Stony Brook University, where it currently sits. At Brookhaven, he works at the Center for Functional Nanomaterials. Vasily is the winner of multiple SBIR Phase 1 and Phase 2 Awards from the National Science Foundation to conduct research and development (R&D) work on Rare Earth Element Extraction from End-of-Life Fluorescent Light Bulb Powder. His most recent award was for an 2024 EPA $100k Phase 1 Award for Water Purification — to develop a plasma system to degrade PFAS levels for water purification and reuse.
"Thank you for your assistance. I have news that I got a new Grant. This time it is from DARPA, to develop Rare Earth Elements extraction and separation technologies from different feedstocks."
Vasily participated in an SBIR Grant Writing Workshops hosted by the Stony Brook SBDC and presented by Sharon Ballard from Enable Ventures Inc. Advisor Bob Harrison has provided continuing support in Vasily's search for high power space for his production experiments and with grant applications. In addition, he connected Vasily with the LIHTI - Long Island High Technology Incubator — which is currently working with him.
With support from the SBDC, Vasily recently received a new grant from DARPA, to develop Rare Earth Elements extraction and separation technologies from different feedstocks. Advisor Bob Harrison continues to work with Vasily as his research on a range of topics proceeds.