The area has demonstrated a serious commitment to technology, due in part to the area's three technology incubators:

• New Albany TechStart, an organization dedicated to providing technology entrepreneurs with both resources and capital.

• The  Innovation Exchange which functions as a hub that connects entrepreneurs to the resources they need.

• INC@8000 located at 8000 Walton Parkway which provides space for entrepreneurs and technology startups and is designed for the sharing and fostering of innovation.

This business-oriented, tech-invested environment that provides the setting for IT Martini 19: QA or the Highway | Presented by Janova. The SOLD-OUT 19th event in the series features a half day conference followed by the 'traditional' IT Martini reception.

Every IT Martini event highlights local early stage companies and gives them an opportunity to showcase their products. This time, there are SIX (6) New Albany and Central Ohio early-stage company DEMOs at the reception:

1. Capture Education is software schools use to schedule the right student in the right class at the right time. The hours of time administrators spend interviewing and manually arranging students, curriculums and classrooms is eliminated using this innovative software.
2. Featurestage, Inc. provides a platform for communication and collaboration. Teamwork is the core of a successful business and finding the right tool to foster collaboration is essential. Featurestage allows team collaboration through one account.
3. iPinion allows market researchers to collect information through mobile devices via a network of 1.3 million members and provides services to create effective surveys and “cool” launch strategies. Company growth involves market research and capturing the attention of respondents today means contacting them on their mobile devices. 
4. LapKeyBoard has designed an ergonomic computer keyboard. LapKeyBoard has just launched and you are the first to see this innovative new product.
5. SmileChatter is a site that connects dental patients with dental professionals through articles, forums and videos. Some recent forum topics include taking your children to the dentist, professional-to-professional advice and student-to-student support.
6. SoftSyl Technologies provides interactive voice response (IVR) and telephony solutions. The dedicated team at SoftSyl brings together the most advanced technologies possible to enable companies to create a unique platform for the most efficient customer service possible.
7. Brand Thunder -Build your own browser theme, find a theme or have us create one for you – for Firefox, Internet Explorer or Chrome @ http://brandthunder.com.

IT Community Choice Award

All featured DEMOs vie for the IT Community Choice award. This award is voted on by YOU - so be sure to pick up a ballot at any DEMO and vote for your favorite.

Did you know that Title Sponsor Janova was just one week old with 50 clients when they came to IT Martini Hour 13 in September 2010 and presented their software-testing tool? The audience was receptive and awarded Janova the IT Community Choice Award - and now has a $10.4 million payroll and is adding over 100 jobs to the New Albany and Central Ohio job market in the next three years.

Editor's Note: Thanks to IT Community Choice Award winner Janova, the Title Sponsor for IT Martini 19: QA or the Highway for bringing this event to the Columbus and New Albany IT Communities. And another big thanks to IBM, Vaco, and EdgeCase for IT Martini making a difference here locally. 

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Angela Slezak has 10 years of marketing experience, specifically in database marketing and mail planning. Angela also hold as Masters in Library Science and speaks Mandarin Chinese. She speaks Spanish un poco, and eavesdrops on conversations for fun and learning. Angela's role in database marketing puts her in close contact with IT Professionals. She is eager to support the IT Community through communicating about past and future events.