Fairfax, Va. — Materials Modification Inc. was among 12 companies chosen to benefit from the Domestic Markets Expansion Program.
No state is more reliant on Department of Defense funding than Virginia. GENEDGE worked with the Governor’s office to design and implement the Virginia Domestic Markets Expansion Program (DMEP), which helps Virginia companies expand their businesses by diversifying into non-defense-related areas. For those companies that qualify and are accepted into the program, DMEP provides specific and targeted services to each individual company to help them enter new markets, develop new products and utilize new market channels to grow their business. This selective program has been offered by GENEDGE over the last two years, serving over 120 DOD supply chain companies, and helping 45 of them create and implement strategies to diversify and grow their businesses through innovative commercial offerings.
In its third year, the program is funded to assist 12 companies that previously benefited from DMEP services continue their commercialization efforts. This new approach enables the program to help each company grow by accelerating the execution of strategic initiatives to firmly diversify their business and help build the New Virginia Economy.
Twenty companies participated in a competitive selection process based on evaluation of their business case for a new, specific business opportunity. The selection panel consisted of 5 members of the GENEDGE Board of Trustees. All companies did a great job of presenting excellent opportunities – making the funding decision extremely competitive. We are pleased to announce that Materials Modification Inc. was selected to receive to further their commercialization efforts.
Materials Modification Inc. was founded in 1986 and is located in Fairfax, Va. MMI is focused on materials and manufacturing processes and biotechnology. They have also created their own materials and processes through imaginative problem-solving.
Their opportunity for Chemical Market Expansion is enabled by their new product, NIX-IT. This product acts as a water and oil repellant which is used to treat textiles. The treatment is unique in that it is free from the EPA-banned PFOA chemicals. MMI has demonstrated formulations that offer liquid repellency equivalent to that of C-8 chemicals without using C-6 or C-8 chemistry. MMI is the only company with this invention that meets regulations whereas some competitors use alternative chemicals that include C-6 chemicals which will ultimately be banned. MMI’s new formulation can be applied to a variety of fabrics including cotton, nylon, polyester and ballistic aramid. Other applications include engines, walls to prevent graffiti, boats and marinas, cinder blocks, splash zones and in any area where corrosion prevention is desired.
CONTACT:
Mindy Priddy
(276) 666-8890 ext. 227
mpriddy@genedge.org
