GOPS, Filigree Among UNC Contest Winners

GOPS Group LLC, a Saluda, N.C., producer of AlgaMax bio diesel fuel, and Filigree Nanotechnology Inc., a Winston-Salem developer of a manufacturing process using silver nanowires to improve silver zinc batteries, were among winners of the Five Ventures Business Plan Competition, an annual event open to area business in the biotech, advanced manufacturing, information technology, service/retail and student/nonprofit sectors. The contest, held last week at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte), was part of a Five Ventures Conference organized by the Charlotte Research Institute. The businesses competed for $100,000 in cash and in-kind services. GOPS Group's AlgaMax converts algae matter into bio diesel fuel or an energy turbine power source, ProGen, to produce electricity. VibeTech Inc., a producer of medical devices to reduce bone and muscle loss through aging, disability or injury, was runner-up in the biotech category; and VeritasCNC Inc., a developer of products products to improve tools used in computer-controlled machining centers, in advanced manufacturing.