By ERICA ESTEP
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - As hundreds of high tech jobs are on the chopping block in Oak Ridge, one local organization hopes to launch more small technology based firms.
Sometimes layoffs in high tech industries can lead to innovations, with workers going into business for themselves.
Tech 20/20 in Oak Ridge is a small business incubator that gives start-ups an office location and business mentoring.
Eric Dobson's company, TrakLok, got its start with Tech 20/20's help. "We build unique products and services that secure shipping containers, basically keep the bad guys out," Dobson explained.
The former scientist became a small business owner after contracting for several U.S. Department of Energy companies and seeing a need.
Dobson created a container locking system that adds tamper protection and GPS tracking technology for shipping containers.
"We also provide visibility, in other words we can tell you where your cargo is at all times and that gives the good guys the tools to optimize their operations," Dobson added.
TrakLok Corp. is still in its infancy. Thanks to a local business incubator, Dobson and other small start-up technology firms are able to set up shop in an old Knox County school near Oak Ridge until the companies are viable on their own.
The Fairview Technology Center is a collaborative effort between Knox County and Tech 20/20, which manages the facility.
Tech business companies get help locating funding resources, potential clients and connecting with other business contacts in the community.
John Morris, a former computer scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is the vice president of Tech 20/20's Center For Entrepreneurial Growth.
"The fundamental concept is the business model, which is, what are you going to sell? Who are you going got sell it to? How are you going to make money?" Morris explained.
Willing investors and the proximity of ORNL made the area attractive to TrakLok's owner. Leaders of Tech 20/20 hope other tech businesses will spark more high tech jobs in the region as well.
"Entrepreneurs are critical for the future, we believe, for this country," said Mike Cuddy, Tech 20/20 CEO and president. "Innovation here in the Tennessee Valley coupled with entrepreneurs and capital will build the future for not only this region, but we believe the country."
Traklok's owner says he's already working with a local company in the nuclear industry and is in negotiations with three other Department of Energy companies.
Tech 20/20 is tracking 300 successful technology firms in the Tennessee Valley region that got off the ground with the small business incubator's help.
