Chicago, IL – August 14, 2008 – The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) today announced the following companies have been selected to participate in ITA’s first annual IL-Celerate program:

· Axxess Biometrics (www.axxessbiometrics.com)

· CaptainU (www.captainu.com)

· Soceeo.com (www.soceeo.com)

· Transcend Innovation Group (www.transcendinnovation.com)

· Zienon (www.zienon.com)

The IL-Celerate program sponsors “seed stage” and “pre-seed stage” companies through a 12 week program. In addition of up to a $15,000 grant, chosen companies are given office space and associated services at ITA’s TechNexus (www.chicagotechnexus.com). A key benefit of the program is exposure to dozens of senior executives and services from leading law and accounting firms who will offer their insight and experience to the building process. Throughout the course of the program, each of the companies will complete a prototype-stage product, gain exposure to potential investors and have the opportunity to network across the Illinois technology community for continued growth.

Joining earlier selection ReTel Technologies (www.reteltechnologies.com), ITA chose the five companies from more than 45 applicants and 10 finalists. “I was impressed by the caliber of companies that applied. The final selection was a difficult choice,” said Art Roldan, executive chairman of ISD Corporation, and a member of the selection committee.

The IL-Celerate program was developed by Illinois Technology Association (ITA) in association with the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Activity (DCEO).

“ITA is honored to have the generous sponsorship of DCEO for these early-stage companies” said Fred Hoch, president, ITA. “I look forward to these companies becoming key components of the technology ecosystems in Illinois.”

More information on the program can be found at http://ilcelerate.wordpress.com

and www.illinoistech.org.

About the ITA

The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) represents the interests of a diverse membership of more than 500 companies in Illinois that create, deploy and utilize information technology as a core part of their organization. By connecting members with industry peers and participants, providing the latest strategic information, market research and critical market insight and by promoting key thought leaders to raise visibility and gain a greater market awareness and presence, ITA is focused on building and developing the Illinois technology community through collaboration. Additional information is available at http://www.illinoistech.org/.

Contacts:

Fred Hoch, President, ITA, +1.312.435.2805, fhoch@illinoistech.org

Lee Winklepleck, Ruder Finn, +1.312.329.3978, winklepleckl@ruderfinn.com

The ILCelerate Program will sponsor five “seed stage” companies through a twelve-week program. At the end of the program, each of the companies will have a completed prototype-stage product, exposure to potential investors and networking across the Illinois technology community for continued growth.

The program will:

• provide an avenue of development for very early stage ideas within Illinois
• develop a deeper relationship for young entrepreneurs with current technology executives/mentors and
• develop a stronger network among technology executives within Illinois

Developed by the Illinois Technology Association (ITA) and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce (CEC) in association with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Activity (DCEO), the ILCelerate program is available to any resident of the state of Illinois. A business plan is not necessary for the application. Partial selection criteria will include the market potential for the idea and the strength of the founding management team.

Please complete and forward your Application for ILCelerate to ilcelerate@illinoistech.org

For additional details: ILCelerate FAQ

Send in your Application for ILCelerate to ilcelerate@illinoistech.org

For additional details: ILCelerate FAQs