Regional firms seek funding for ventures

The three northern Nevada companies that made a pitch for venture capital funding at a major conference last week demonstrate the many faces of technology.

Informatouch of Zephyr Cove, Advanced Fluidix Laboratories of Incline Village and CORE Management Systems of Reno, each an outgrowth of technology and life sciences, made presentations during the third annual Silver and Gold Venture Capital Conference.

The event at Incline Village was sponsored by Golden Capital Network, a nonprofit based in Chico, Calif., that seeks to link entrepreneurs with private equity investors in 11 Western states.

Informatouch is developing a system of touch-screen computer terminals for hotel rooms.

Using the screens, guests can learn about hotel services and the availability of nearby businesses such as restaurants.

The company, which was founded in 2001, is beginning to roll out its system at hotels in the Sacramento metropolitan area.

It's also developing a secure system allowing hotel guests to gain high-speed internet access from their rooms.

Advanced Fluidix Laboratories, meanwhile, is developing an in-home test for male fertility to be sold over-thecounter.

Douglas Erwin, chief executive officer of the company, said the company has closed its first round of financing, is nearing completion of a protype and looks for capital to move it toward manufacturing.

CORE Management Systems, founded less than a year ago, is developing system that allow improved management control of multi-location retail or restaurant organizations.

President Timothy Tofaute said his firm's product allows companies to manage functions ranging from production to personnel from a centralized location.

CORE Management's products also are used in schools to help improve security, Tofaute said.

Each of the companies paid $595 to make an eight-minute presentation at the conference.

They also made their pitch at display tables throughout the conference.

The audience included angel investor groups and venture capital funds, many of them based in the Bay area.