QCA First Fund--FFIII Portfolio

QCA First Fund III Portfolio Companies

Collaborent Group creates and markets group purchasing programs for local governments and other public sector entities. The Company’s programs save taxpayer dollars and enable public sector entities to control costs while improving operational efficiencies.

QCA FFIII and individual members of QCA teamed with the North Coast Angel Fund to provide the capital to allow Collaborent to offer more programs to more customers.

Transactiv is an online “commerce network” that connects businesses of all sizes, and people who buy and sell goods and services for those businesses. The Transavtiv website will enable buyers to find, select, and buy goods and services from sellers on the network in real time, overcoming the inefficiencies associated with the traditional manual process of buying and selling via printed catalogs, phone or fax orders, and manual payments.

This project is a "restart" of iStatus, which was partially funded by QCA FF II. This investment round, which will allow the company to finish and launch the software, has the support of a wide variety of sources in the Cincinnati area.

Neuros Medical, a Cleveland, Ohio based neurostimulation company, is focused on developing proprietary neurostimulation therapies for unmet needs to patients worldwide. The company’s patented platform technology, Nerve Block, will provide patients with elimination of chronic pain in a variety of applications including neuroma/residual limb pain, chronic post surgical pain, and chronic migraine.

Neuros has been funded through the cooperation of three Third Frontier funds--QCA First Fund III, Ohio TechAngels Fund, and the North Coast Angel Fund, as well as a number of individual investors.

Bioformix is developing a sustainable polymer platform, using monomers which have been known for over 100 years, but never commercialized. The company has made key discoveries which will allow it to make a family of products which will be useful as adhesives and coatings. The products will degrade into benign materials, and can be made inexpensively using renewable plant products.

The Fund has coordinated with CincyTech and the Queen City Angels to complete the initial funding of the company. A substantial follow-on round was provided by Braemar Energy Ventures and Arsenal Venture Partners.

Blue Ash Therapeutics was formed to bring to market the cardiac drug Azimilide, which was developed by P&G Pharmaceuticals. The drug, which is in the final stages of evaluation by the Food and Drug Administration, helps stabilize cardiac rhythms in in patients who have implantable cardioverter/defibrillators.

QCA FF III participated in the initial funding round which was led by CincyTech and included QCA investors and others. The company was sold to Forest Labs in 2011 for a nice return.

Ischemia Care is commercializing a blood test for the accurate diagnosis of stroke and TIA (Transient Ischemic Attacks). The test, to be used primarily in emergency rooms, will give doctors important additional information to aid in appropriate treatment and to improve outcomes. The technology has been licensed from UC Davis, where it has been under development for many years.

Investment from the Fund was supplemented by individuals in QCA.

GreatLocalDeals.com is an online coupon/deals marketplace company specializing in the aggregation and delivery of online coupon deals ranging from 5 to 50% off to online consumers, thereby providing a highly targeted advertising solution to local small to medium size businesses. The company works with local media outlets in their various marketplaces to drive traffic to the site, providing consumers with hundreds of savings opportunities each day.

The Fund and members of QCA have supplied the funding to allow the company to expand its footprint to a large number of new cities.

EndoSphere is developing a platform of endoscopically implantable devices for the treatment of metabolic diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. EndoSphere's technology causes gradual weight-loss without the cost and complications of surgery.

Investors include QCA First Fund III, QCA members, as well as Ohio TechAngels, North Coast Angel Fund, and others.

logo Copper Mountain is an innovative producer of coffee-latte beverages in a new format which allows consumers access to a hot product wherever they have a microwave. The Company has also produced hot cocoa and hot oatmeal products for distribution through mass retailers and standard grocery stores.

QCA FFIII combined with QCA members and others to provide financing for national expansion of the products.

logo CoupSmart has devised a simple, direct way to launch, manage, and measure marketing campaigns for brick and mortar businesses. From retail to consumer goods manufacturers to restaurants or service providers, they help businesses run powerful marketing campaigns via social media, mobile, email, and even in-store.

The Fund combined with a number of individual investors to support the company's growth.

logo Define My Style has created an on-line community for girls where they can exercise their own creativity and communicate with others who are like-minded. They can create and promote a variety of both real and virtual goods.

CincyTech and TechCoast Angels in LA combined with the Fund and individuals to help launch the company.

SoMoLend has introduced a new peer lending site, which leverages the tools people use today--social networks, mobile phones and apps--to connect with their community and invest in each other. Small business can use the site to borrow modest amounts of money under favorable terms from banks or individuals.

The Fund, CincyTech and a number of individuals have provided the funding to allow the company to begin lending money.