From Watson and Crick to the Wright Brothers, smart collaborations have paved the way for innovation. Sometimes it just makes sense to come together to spark great ideas, solve problems and create opportunities. That’s why the InnovaNet Group was formed, combining the intellectual capital of Criterion LLC and InnovaNet Technology Group to form an even greater whole. On May 16, 2011, associates from both entities came together for their first team meeting. Topping the agenda were discussions about the impending merger and bright future ahead.

Many participants already knew each other. After all, the two companies had been closely collaborating since 2009. That working relationship demonstrated clearly the shared cultural and work values that have made the merger seamless. The interactive session was marked with collaboration and candor as plans were discussed.

“The meeting felt very positive,‚” noted Davis Lee, President of the InnovaNet Group. As CEO Mike Cobb elaborates, “Communication is really important to us all. Everybody embraced the rationale of the merger, understood how it will benefit clients and expressed their support.”

The company’s new mission statement is “Committed to collaboration and innovation, the InnovaNet Group delivers sustainable value and results for clients through business growth, technical development and operations improvement.” As meeting participants experienced first-hand, collaboration starts with the team.

Sponsored by AstroTurf® and in conjunction with the University of Tennessee, athletic play on both natural grass and artificial turf surfaces just became safer with the InnovaNet Group’s latest innovation – the Tennessee Athletic Turf Tester. Unveiled recently at the Center for Safer Athletic Fields at the University of Tennessee, this device tests turf surfaces, and shoes and other structures that interface with them.

Properties such as friction and traction vary widely among different turf surfaces. They can affect the suitability of a particular field for certain activities, and may also correlate with the occurrence of injuries on that surface.  The same is also true for footwear and other structures used on athletic fields. This athletic turf tester will bring new insights forward.

“Unlike anything else available, this invention will allow more realistic on-field testing of actual activity and running on turf surfaces at different angles and directions,” explains InnovaNet Group President Davis Lee, PhD. “For example, you can simulate a player making a running cut on a football field.”

The patent pending testing apparatus can move a shoe in two directions relative to a turf surface, both on a horizontal and vertical axis. It can also position the shoe at an angle to the surface enabling the simulation of a cutting move. Technical development is one of the InnovaNet Group’s areas of expertise. Visit our What We Do section to learn more.

New Company Offers Clients Whole Systems Solutions for Business Growth, Technical Development and Operations Improvement

ATLANTA, Ga. (July 6, 2011) – The delivery of Innovation is taking a big step forward as Criterion LLC and InnovaNet Technology Group, two Atlanta-based companies, have merged to form the InnovaNet Group. Created to provide clients with whole systems solutions, this unique fusion of seasoned experts in business, science and engineering focuses on creating sustainable value and results.

“Our companies started successfully collaborating in 2009,” notes Mike Cobb, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of the InnovaNet Group. “Clients told us the results were extremely valuable and we realized significant advantages could be gained by officially becoming one entity.”

InnovaNet Group President Davis Lee, PhD, echoes his sentiments. “Our previous companies had numerous synergies offering only senior-level talent, taking a hands-on approach with clients and a focus on tailored solutions that deliver results. Merging these resources together has been an easy, seamless process.”

In 1999, Dr. Cobb launched Criterion LLC to deliver unprecedented value with senior talent who delivered the work at a highly competitive price. Simultaneously, Dr. Lee and Jay Davis, who now serves as the Chief Opportunity Officer of the InnovaNet Group, founded InnovaNet Technology Group to offer seasoned experts in science, engineering, and business to innovate, solve problems, and broker solutions. Together, their expertise has benefitted clients including AstroTurf, Disney World,
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, SimCenter, Procter and Gamble, The Synthetic Turf Council, Robertson Fuel Systems, the United States Air Force, DuPont Merck and many others.

About The InnovaNet Group:

Committed to collaboration and innovation, the InnovaNet Group delivers sustainable value and results for clients through business growth, technical development and operations improvement. Launched in June 2011 through the merger of two collaborative partners, Criterion LLC and the InnovaNet Technology Group, the team has tremendous expertise with small and medium-sized companies that range from start-ups to $500 million entities. The firm’s seasoned team of highly-engaged thought leaders applies a collaborative approach to deliver tailored solutions and measurable results to clients looking to grow revenues, improve operations, solve technology problems or develop new products.