Innovation Challenge Grant Competition Sponsored by Homeland Security Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center

EVANSTON, IL--(Marketwire - February 15, 2008) - The Illinois Homeland Security Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Northwestern University -- HSIEC -- (http://www.hsiec.org), today announced the Innovation Challenge Grant competition to encourage Illinois-based companies to develop technologies related to the needs of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The deadline for submissions is 5 pm, March 21, 2008.

The Innovation Challenge Grant competition is seeking Illinois-based companies with innovative technologies that specifically address the stated technology needs of the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), such as border security, cargo security, chem/bio defense, cyber security, explosives prevention, people screening, incident management, information sharing, infrastructure protection, interoperability and maritime security.

The Innovation Challenge Grant competition will award up to six Illinois-based companies with the opportunity to engage with Civitas Group, llc (http://www.civitasgroup.com), a Washington, DC-based strategic advisory and investment firm serving the homeland and national security markets. The Civitas Group project is valued at up to $25,000. Successful candidates will be awarded an HSIEC Challenge Grant of up to $12,500, which requires a 100 percent cash match by the winners.

The application for the Innovation Challenge Grant, along with complete rules and instructions, can be found on the HSIEC website at http://www.hsiec.org. Award application assistance is available by calling HSIEC at 847-491-7600.

About HSIEC

HSIEC delivers specialized business development assistance in homeland security as part of the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network (IEN) through a joint effort between Northwestern University and the Homeland Security Market Development Bureau (HSMD) within the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). 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.hsiec.org.

About Illinois Entrepreneurship Network

IEN is an umbrella organization for all Illinois' entrepreneur and small business services. IEN partners with well-respected business development organizations and educational institutions that work with clients who have the vision and potential to become high-growth enterprises. IEN's suite of services includes the IEN Helpline, high growth Entrepreneurship Centers (EC), Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) and International Trade Centers (ITC) / NAFTA Opportunity Centers (NOC). For more information, visit http://www.ienconnect.com.

About HSMD

Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich launched HSMD in February 2005 to support businesses engaged in the homeland security industry. The bureau offers a variety of investment tools designed to help existing Illinois companies expand operations and utilize available state and federal programs and services. For more information, visit http://www.hsmd.illinois.gov.

About Civitas Group, llc

Civitas Group, llc is a strategic advisory and investment firm serving the homeland and national security markets. Civitas Group clients include Fortune 100 firms, leading security services providers, leading defense and information technology companies, early stage companies with promising technologies, and private investment firms. In a rapidly evolving homeland and national security industry, Civitas helps its clients build and implement successful strategies and grow their businesses. For more information, visit http://www.civitasgroup.com.

Contact Information: Contacts: For HSIEC Mara Conklin (847)816-9411 Linda Muskin (847) 432-7300 For Northwestern University Megan Fellman (847) 491-3115