Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Centers  

  Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Centers ...
your success is our business
Friday, November 20, 2009  
 
 
line

Tech Security "Start-Up" Survives Fallout
from National Day of Tragedy


TechGuard Security LLC—Chesterfield, MO
Assisted by:
Greg Tucker, SBDC at St. Louis Enterprise Center
Wayne Harvey, Missouri Federal and State Technology Partnership (MoFAST)

TechGuard SecurityFive years ago TechGuard Security, LLC, was on the brink of demise. But that was five years ago.

On Feb. 4, 2005, the company's cofounder, co-owner and president, Suzanne Joyce, was among a group of information technology-industry executives attending preview discussions at the White House of OMB's federal IT budget for fiscal year 2006.

To be included among IT-industry leaders at a White House meeting is quite a leap forward for Joyce and her start-up tech firm from the Heartland. But it's just another step in an entrepreneurial progression for a company whose intriguing trademark phrase is "Great Walls of Fire®."

TechGuard Security staffThat trade-phrase is well-earned and indicative of an industry-changing product created by TechGuard, a St. Louis-based computer network security firm. The company serves academic and healthcare institutions, government agencies, insurance and financial companies, and other commercial firms with ongoing security protection for sensitive computer lifelines vital to the flow of information in today's high-tech business world.

But, to arrive at its current status as an award-winning high-tech firm, TechGuard had to survive one the most devastating days in our nation's history ... Sept. 11, 2001.

The month before the terrorist attacks the-then-17-months-old TechGuard was just beginning to show a positive cash flow from the initial government contract work it had obtained. All federal contracts were frozen after the terrorist acts. Within months TechGuard nearly froze to death.

Joyce sought help from multiple sources in a desperate effort to keep her firm afloat. One of those sources — Greg Tucker, director of the Missouri Small Business Development Center (MO SBDC) in St. Louis — helped Joyce secure a low six-figure loan from the Small Business Administration's (SBA) disaster fund. It served as a critical stopgap.

Tucker's work in securing the SBA disaster loan helped the company retain personnel and continue R&D efforts, keeping TechGuard solvent during the lean months immediately following Sept. 11, according to Joyce.

"Without Greg's assistance with the SBA loan we would have had to either sell our operations or give up control of the company in order to survive the effects of 9/11 on our small business," Joyce explains. "It helped us hang on until our primary client, the U.S. government, was back in a position to resume contracting commitments and we could garner commercial contracts delayed due to the freeze."

TechGuard Security web siteThe SBA lifeline bridged a gap that eventually led to TechGuard's more than 200 percent annual growth rate since 2001.

Tucker also was instrumental in connecting the company to Wayne Harvey, a colleague with the Missouri Federal and State Technology Partnership (MoFAST), an SBDC-related program. Both MoFAST and SBDC are affiliated with the extension mission of the University of Missouri.

Joyce and TechGuard needed expert guidance navigating the post-9/11 federal contracting process. Harvey was the man for the job. He played the dual roles of coach and cheerleader in his effort to help the company secure Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant funding.

After months of detailed laborious work, the multi-stage grant-application process finally paid off in late 2003 with a $1.45 million award to TechGuard from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Advanced Technology Program (ATP). This grant has enabled TechGuard to pursue research and development on a proprietary "smart" firewall system.

That system is based on devising neural network engines that can be "trained" to automatically detect and deflect new and increasingly sophisticated external attacks on computer systems. This approach differs from traditional firewall technology that relies on pre-defined parameters that must be constantly updated with the development of new security software.

Harvey's guidance and grant-application knowledge helped TechGuard successfully navigate a process it had fruitlessly attempted to master four times previously.

TechGuard booth; click to enlarge
Kevin Machon staffs the TechGuard booth at the Business Showcase and Legislative Breakfast Feb. 10, 2005, at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.

"Wayne was not only instrumental in our NIST ATP grant success, he was primarily responsible for it," Joyce says. "His work directly led to the creation of six high-level IT (information technology) jobs, the initial production of our industry-changing artificially intelligent Great Walls of Fire® computer security system, and a $3 million contract with DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)."

Because of her firm's dramatic business success, Joyce and TechGuard Security represented MoFAST at the first Client Showcase and Legislative Breakfast Feb. 10, in the State Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City.

For more information on the services of MoFAST, call Harvey at 314/631-5509 or e-mail him at harveywa@missouri.edu.

TechGuard Security LLC
Suzanne Joyce/President
743 Spirit 40 Park Drive
Chesterfield, MO 63005
636-519-4848
636-519-4850 (fax)
suzanne.joyce@techguardsecurity.com
www.techguardsecurity.com


Featured Entrepreneurs and Client Showcase Archive

Manufacturer

  • A.M. Pyrotechnics LLC of Buffalo - produces fireworks and choreographs professional pyrotechnics displays
  • Billy Goat Industries of Lee's Summit - manufacturer of outdoor power equipment
  • Eyes of the World of Rolla - manufacturer of high-quality intraocular lenses for humans and animals
  • ISW Group, Inc., of St. Louis - manufacturer of a skin-care product for African Americans suffering with dermatological problemsShowcase 2005 client
  • The Newberry Group of St. Louis - developer of computer security systemsShowcase 2005 client
  • Patric Chocolate of Columbia - gourmet chocolate maker Showcase 2008 client
  • Pogue Label and Screen of St. Louis - a specialist in printing labels on plastic containersShowcase 2005 client
  • Sigma Aldrich of St. Louis - chemical manufacturer Showcase 2005 client
  • TechGuard Security of Chesterfield - provider of information network security products Showcase 2005 client
  • X-Com, Inc. of Warrensburg, - produces digital communications hardware and software for the Navy and other commercial applications and products

Professional, Scientific and Technical Service

  • Aegis Business Solutions LLC of Kansas City -
    offers solutions to business problems in information technology Showcase 2008 client
  • Brick City Custom Works of Mexico - custom motorcycle repair and service shop
  • Gaskin, Hill, Norcross of Springfield - developer of a text messaging system Showcase 2006 client
  • Global Solutions Group of Fenton - network solutions, IT telephone and systems management firmShowcase 2005 client
  • H2O Technical Services, Inc., of Springfield, a provider of integrated water treatment services and applications Showcase 2006 client
  • Hammer Collections of Springfield - employs computer software and information technology to resolve and prevent payment delinquencies Showcase 2008 client
  • InnovaPrep LLC of Drexel - developing technology to aid detection systems for biodefense, medical diagnostics, food and beverage industries
  • Language Solutions, Inc. of St. Louis - specializing in translation technology and multi-lingual communications services to assist other businesses reach a global market Showcase 2008 client
  • Logistical Resource Solutions of St. Louis - storage and inventory control
  • Lytmos Group LLC of Lee's Summit - provides peer review and grants management support to organizations that sponsor high technology R&D Showcase 2008 client
  • Mobile Media Technologies, LLC of Kansas Ciy - wireless communications
  • Nanoparticle BioChem Inc. of Columbia - research and production of nanoparticle-based products
  • Nanova, Inc. of Columbia - researching biomaterials, materials, composites and medical devices to develop more reliable medical devices Showcase 2008 client
  • NEMS/MEMS Works LLC of Columbia - engineering researchers developing early-stage prototypes of nanotechnology delivery devices to target drug Showcase 2008 clientapplications in patients with life-threatening conditions
  • OsteoGeneX of Kansas City - drug research and biotech commercialization
  • Paternity Testing Corporation of Columbia - forensic investigations, DNA profiling and parental identificationShowcase 2005 client
  • PureFlow Technologies Inc. of Jefferson City - produces and markets a diesel engine fuel efficiency device
  • P/Strada, LLC, of Kansas City - a consultant in bio-terrorism and homeland security Showcase 2005 client
  • QM Power Inc. of Greenwood - developing magnetic force control technology
  • Sign Designs of Joplin - designs and manufactures custom signs for large corporations and small businesses Showcase 2008 client
  • Technology and Networking of Cape Girardeau - computer technology and telecommunications sales and services Showcase 2008 client
  • The Vacation Channel of Branson - independent TV station providing tourism infoShowcase 2005 client
  • Westinn Kennels of St. Charles - canine boarding and training facility
  • Wren Associates, Ltd. of Jefferson City - provider of retail fraud detection systemsShowcase 2005 client
 

Accommodation & Food Services

Retail Trade

Educational Services

  • Kim's Kids of St. Louis - day care/learning centers
  • OCCU-TEC, Inc., of Kansas City - firm specializing in safety and environmental training Showcase 2005 client

Health & Social Services

Construction

Showcase 2008 client Starred clients were a part of the 2008 Client Showcase [more]

Showcase 2006 client Starred clients were a part of the 2006 Client Showcase [more]

Showcase 2005 client Starred clients were a part of the 2005 Client Showcase [more]

Visit the current Featured Entrepreneur

 

University of Missouri Extension