Provo, UT, August 18, 2011 – 1.6 billion* people worldwide live without Electricity. Humless, LLC seeks to change that, announcing today its “Light the Night” initiative to bring hope and solar generated electricity to off-grid communities and rural medical clinics both domestically and abroad. First steps include development of a powerful, silent, and portable solar generator & power supply system (X50 series) for applications such as the efforts of Safe Mothers, Safe Babies (SAFE)  – a non-profit organization dedicated to improving maternal and newborn health in Uganda.  In addition, Light the Night will explore reliable, affordable emergency power needs for medical devices at home and abroad.

“Too many women die in childbirth,” said Jacqueline Cutts, Founder and President of Safe Mothers, Safe Babies.  “We know how to prevent this daily tragedy, and the solar generated light captured and delivered by the Humless units will remove a key barrier to women in labor accessing life-saving care when delivering at night.  With these units, women will no longer face the dangers of delivering at these health centers by candlelight.”

Based on Advanced Lithium+ design, Humless technology is two-thirds lighter, lasts five times longer, and is 20+ percent more efficient than lead acid battery technology. This allows for more portable solutions offering robust on-demand power. Reliable electricity to rural clinics will power lighting, refrigeration, and other life-saving devices. For rural homes, simple home lighting opens life changing possibilities for millions now without electricity. Watch video.

“We are pleased to make our world just a little brighter as we go,” said Glenn Jakins, CEO for Humless LLC. “Applying Humless power solutions to humanitarian applications is a natural extension of who we are.”

Throughout 2011 Humless will match optional customer contributions to Safe Mothers, Safe Babies through online shopping cart purchase of the Humless Sentinel.

Humless systems are now available and have garnered early praise from the National Self Reliance Organization, receiving the coveted “Best of Show” award at the Salt Lake City Self Reliance Expo. Sentinel is the first alternative-fuel, portable, and silent generator to combine a 10-year shelf life and long-lasting charge time with universal input/output connectivity and Advanced Lithium power storage. The 1000W (50Ah) Sentinel can be carried over the shoulder or stored on the shelf.

About Humless, LLC.  

Humless, LLC. delivers the most versatile, silent and easy-to-use all-in-one alternative-energy power systems on the planet. Unparalleled for portability, power and reliability, Humless systems deliver on-demand power and electricity generation that is safe and environmentally friendly. No gas required. As a committed corporate citizen, Humless not only offers eco-friendly products, but supports initiatives bringing reliable solar power to underserved populations. For more information on Humless and its cleantech, green products, please visit www.Humless.com. Follow us on Facebook & Twitter.

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Press Contact:
John Pilmer
801-369-7535
jpilmer@pilmerpr.com

*source: GlobalPost.com

BoomStartup, a mentorship-driven seed accelerator for web, mobile and software start-ups, and a founding TechStars Network Member, will host its anticipated 2011 Demo Day on August 19, 2011, at the Prospector Theatre in Park City, Utah.

Notable investors from at least seven states will hear pitches from the ten start-ups that completed BoomStartup’s intense summer program.

“Investors should be impressed with this year’s class of start-ups,” said John Richards, co-Managing Partner of BoomStartup. “They have employed lean startup principles and worked hard to nail their business models and establish customer traction.”

In May, BoomStartup selected ten promising start-up companies from across the country to participate in the three-month, full-time program. Each company received up to $15,000 in seed capital, an additional $15,000 in in-kind services, free office space and resources, and an education in the various steps of launching a technology company. Notable investor-mentors gave of their financial resources and time as mentors to the entrepreneurs.

BoomStartup’s 2011 participants are: ChampionVillage, CircleFive, Explorer.io, FaceTags, ForeUp, Jumbas, OER Glue, PromoKube, Proz and VuTherapy. More information about them is available at BoomStartup.com.

The 2011 Investor-mentors include Kimball Wirig of Dentrix; Craig Bott of Grow Utah Ventures, MarketStar, and E&Y; Craig Earnshaw of LifeLink Corporation; BoomStartup founders John Richards & Robb Kunz ; and Andy White of SchoolCenter. An additional 50 top mentors in the region also affiliated with BoomStartup in 2011. These, along with many other successful entrepreneurs, will be at the Demo Day and are available for interviews upon request.

This is BoomStartup’s second-annual Demo Day. More than a hundred guests attended last year’s event. Six of the graduating companies received investments as a result.

About BoomStartup

Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, BoomStartup is a mentorship-driven seed accelerator focusing its efforts on providing seed capital, mentors, and markets for its energetic tech entrepreneur participants. BoomStartup is a three-month, summer program (May-August) that mentors tech startups from ideation through execution. For more information, visit www.boomstartup.com.

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PR Contact
John Pilmer
PilmerPR
jpilmer@pilmerpr.com
801.369.7535

Provo, UT, June 30, 2011 – Humless, LLC. announced today the general availability of its Humless Sentinel and Humless Roadrunner power systems. These clean energy products create a new class of green energy generator and power supply that is silent, portable and easy to use, with no dependence on fossil fuel. Based on Advanced Lithium+ design, Humless technology is two-thirds lighter, lasts five times longer, and is 20+ percent more efficient than older lead acid battery technology.

“Test marketing of these products has been hugely successful,” said Glenn Jakins, CEO for Humless “Early adopters not only use Humless as a portable emergency generator for home use, but are finding it powerful enough for mobile and remote work environments.”

Both the Sentinel and Roadrunner are silent and environmentally friendly. Both incorporate universal 110VAC, 12VDC and USB connectors. They are rechargeable via solar, wind, hydro-electric, hand crank or other clean power, or may be plugged into a wall jack.  Power supply connectors are equally versatile for connection to a standard extension cord, computer equipment, lighting or any power-hungry appliance. The units are safe for indoors and outdoors use in dozens of applications for a mobile world. Recharge and discharge may be done simultaneously. Watch video.

The Humless Sentinel has garnered early praise from the National Self Reliance Organization, receiving the coveted “Best of Show” award at the Salt Lake City Self Reliance Expo. Sentinel is the first alternative-fuel generator to combine a 10-year shelf life and long-lasting charge time with universal input/output connectivity. The expandable 1000W (50Ah) Sentinel can be carried over the shoulder or stored on the shelf.

The Sentinel’s little brother, the 200W (10Ah) Humless Roadrunner, provides extra portability using the same design for smaller jobs.

About Humless, LLC.

Humless, LLC. delivers the most versatile, silent and easy-to-use all-in-one alternative-energy power systems on the planet. Unparalleled for portability, power and reliability, Humless systems deliver on-demand power and electricity generation that is safe and environmentally friendly. No gas required. As a committed corporate citizen, Humless not only offers eco-friendly products, but supports initiatives bringing reliable solar power to underserved populations. For more information on Humless and its cleantech, green products, visit www.Humless.com. Follow us on Facebook & Twitter.

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Press Contact:
John Pilmer
801-369-7535
jpilmer@pilmerpr.com

“The Tech X initiative is a collaborative effort by leading companies in the community, to help other local companies optimize their sales process” said Roger Andrus, Executive Director of Provo City’s BDC. “With the first course completed by 7 companies, we have already seen an increase in 18 employment positions and a sales increase of 28.6% over 2009.”  Companies that completed the first course are Connect Networks, MobyQ, Pixelture, Rapid Intake, T-Splines, XOLogic, and Zachary Douglas.

The Tech X Sales Acceleration course is a 12 week course, with the next course starting on January 27, 2011, teaching fundamentals in Lead Generation, Public Relations, Lead Flow Optimization, and Sales Flow Optimization and Closing.  Companies interested in attending this course, or participating as a curriculum contributor, can complete the formal application by clicking here.  The course is limited-enrollment, with 10-12 companies accepted into each course.

“We are excited to participate as a curriculum contributor in the Tech X initiative” stated Dave Elkington, InsideSales.com CEO.  “With our expertise in Lead Response Management (LRM), we can assist other Utah companies in maximizing their revenue through sales and lead generation.”

“There are many exciting things happening in our business community, and this is one of them,” said Provo City Mayor John Curtis.  “During this difficult economic time, it’s critical that we do all we can to help local companies reach their highest potential.”

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About The Business Development Corporation of Provo Tech Xelerator

The Business Development Corporation of Provo is a small business growth accelerator, located on the Novell Campus in Provo, Utah.  This nonprofit organization assists local technology companies accelerate access to money, markets and mentors thereby improving success during the first years of business.  For more information, go to http://provo.org/econdev.provotechx.html

About Griffin Hill

Griffin Hill is the frontrunner in the science of personal achievement. We increase our clients’ revenue by turning good employees into top performers. Using one of our products, Xerox Connect increased sales 300% in one year.  For more information, go to www.griffinhilltechnologies.com

About Provo City

Provo is Utah’s third largest city with a population of 122,000.  Home of Brigham Young University, it is often recognized for its quality of life and favorable business climate.  The city’s taxes and crime rates are among the lowest in the state.  Provo’s metro area has been ranked second in the nation for business and careers by Forbes.com, and fourth in the nation for well-being by Gallup-Healthways Consulting.

Contacts:

Snapp Conner PR

Cheryl Snapp Conner and Randy Scott, 801-994-9625

cheryl@snappconner.com and randy@snappconner.com

These stores will join five other locations of the high-energy, tongue-in-cheek, frozen yogurt experience that is now franchising throughout North America.

“We’re excited to expand into northern Utah and introduce the people of these cities to our great-tasting frozen yogurt experience,” said Ryan Combe, CEO of Spoon Me. “We are confident the people and community will embrace what Spoon Me stands for and its involvement in the community.”

“What sold me on owning a Spoon Me franchise was the core values of the company—good for the body, good for the community, and good for the environment,” said Sue Measom, owner of the Spoon Me in Logan, Utah. “Working with the Spoon Me franchise team has brought ease and transparency to the franchising process. I am confident in their knowledge and continual support as we move forward to the opening.”

Spoon Me will continue to grow and has plans for new locations in Western Canada and throughout the Intermountain West. Spoon Me is leading the way with eco-friendly products—the cups, straws, napkins, garbage bags, and even the spoons are 100 percent biodegradable within 90 days.

Spoon Me’s philosophy revolves around the caring system that is set out to change the world one spoon at a time. Spoon Me’s threefold mission to care for the body we live in, the people we live with and the earth we live on is accomplished through the following initiatives:

Spoon Me loves the environment.
Spoon Me is a green company that works hand-in-hand with several companies to ensure it does its part to maintain the environment. Everything customers use in Spoon Me stores is biodegradable—including the spoons, which are made of cornstarch.

Spoon Me loves your body.
Spoon Me frozen yogurt and smoothies are made from all natural ingredients making it healthy, light and delicious. At only 83 calories per serving, Spoon Me frozen yogurt is fat free and contains no table sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Spoon Me loves its community.
Instead of accepting tips, Spoon Me stores accept donations to a new local charity each month with its Keep the Change Charity program. Spoon Me also provides a community board for local and volunteer activities.

“Spoon Me is not just frozen yogurt it’s an experience, including Spoon Me branded clothing and a hip social environment,” said Ryan Combe, Spoon Me CEO. “We want to bring people together and this atmosphere provides a fun, high-energy scene, where people can enjoy the environment all while spooning.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Spoon Me franchises are a fun and exciting place to own. Opportunities to franchise are available to a wide range of business owners such as recent college graduates, business investors and professional owner operators. Franchise owners receive training to operate and maintain a Spoon Me franchise. The store is simple to run and the labor force is easy to find and retain. Ongoing support and training is available to franchisees through the Group Spoon online support network.

About Spoon Me
Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Spoon Me is much more than a frozen yogurt place—Spoon Me is an experience. It is a fun, high energy, tongue-in-cheek experience to change the world. Spoon Me loves your body and uses only all natural ingredients. Spoon Me loves the community and gives back through its Keep the Change Charity. Spoon Me is a green organization – everything the consumer uses is biodegradable, including the spoon. Franchises are available throughout North America.

For more info go to www.spoonmefranchise.com

Decked out in modern themes and furniture and cool music in the background, the first thing that strikes you is that by stepping through the doors you’ve just stepped “out of Provo”.  Even the silverware is cool (check out the knives). That is exactly what owner Blake Ballard is going for.  SP^RK wants you to have an “Out-of-Provo” experience, as he calls it.

What was interesting to me was what I would call “Approachable Sophistication”.  It has the feel of an upscale restaurant and lounge but with a little more relaxed atmosphere; a place you want to come and hang out with friends and spend a little more time than you would at your typical restaurant.  They even have a really cool drinks list, including lots of “tini” drinks; all non-alcoholic.  I had a Peartini, and Becky had a Lycheetini.  They were both delicious and unlike anything else I’ve tried in Utah Valley.

Instead of traditional appetizers they offer what they call “Small Plates”.  We tried the House-made Pasta with Lamb Ragu and the Citrus Duck.  If these items sound too exotic, trust me they are not.  They were both quite delicious.  My wife, who has never ordered duck for herself, really enjoyed their duck offering a lot.

For our main course I ordered the Roasted Pork Tenderloin while Becky had the Scallops Three Ways.  My tenderloin was perfectly cooked along with the tastiest polenta I think I have ever had, definitely a winner.  The Scallops Three Ways included 3 large scallops, all perfectly cooked, one poached with a Parmesan crisp, one seared with corn and polenta, and one roasted on top of a pork belly.  The poached scallop, while at first bite seemed to be under seasoned, upon the second bit you realize the subtle sweetness of the scallop itself coming through which too much seasoning might have masked.  The seared scallop with the polenta was quite nice, but the roasted scallop with the pork belly, in my opinion, stole the show and was absolutely to die for: Fantastic!

What I found to be particularly enjoyable is that between our various courses they sent a couple of different “Chef’s Selections,” on the house.  A pan-seared pork belly (my first pork belly, but definitely not my last), and shrimp bisque the night we went, though I understand these to change depending on the night.

For dessert we shared the Brioche Bruleé French Toast which also included a vanilla-poached pear, and lemon thyme sorbet.  Separately each of these was excellent, but when you put all three together into one bite it was the perfect combination of tastes, one we will definitely have again and again.  At the very end, instead of the typical after-dinner mint we were brought a couple of homemade marshmallows that were a slightly minty to the taste; a sweet break from tradition.

I had the opportunity to sit and chat with owner Blake Ballard after our visit to his restaurant.  According to Ballard, “Spark is a non-typical restaurant and lounge that provides an engaging dining and social ambiance for those living in Utah Valley.” Continuing, he said of their menu: “Spark’s unique menu offerings are based on classical French techniques with Japanese, Spanish and California influences. The drink menu offers a unique approach to non-alcoholic refreshment.”

Simply put; SP^RK brings the social, culinary, and cultural advantages and moods of a metropolitan modern bar and lounge to Downtown Provo, all without actually serving alcoholic drinks of any kind.

SP^RK chef Viet Pham of San Jose, California, received formal culinary training from the California Culinary Academy and has previously worked at The Fifth Floor Restaurant, part of Hotel Palomar, located in San Francisco, California.

In Ballard’s words, “At SP^RK we want you to enjoy a culinary and social experience each and every time you come.”

Overall, my wife and I really enjoyed our experience at SP^RK and we are definitely looking forward to our next visit and sampling even more of their delicious and creative menu.

Give them a try for lunch or dinner.

Find them on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Provo-UT/Spark-Restaurant-Lounge/14098944078

Original photos taken by Becky Olsen. You can see more of her work, and of Sparks, on her Flickr page.

Salt Lake City came in third, assuring a solid showing for the heart of the Utah business region.

Utah is clearly on the move, and the doom and gloom of the national economy hasn’t slowed us down. The Economist discusses our unique, young workforce as one of the driving factors of our resilience. Also mentioned as factors are our somewhat monotonous political cross section and our quirky penchant for family life.

Check out the full article, titled ‘The Mormon Work Ethic‘, here: http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12480476