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CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Oregon State University Advantage Accelerator/RAIN Corvallis is now accepting applications for the next cohort of startup companies that will begin in July.

"This program is an immersive entrepreneurial experience," said Mark Lieberman, chief startup officer. "It offers dynamic resources to clients, access to seasoned entrepreneurs, mentors, interns and venture capital. For our new cohort we're looking for the innovative, high-growth companies that can take advantage of that."

Entrepreneurs interested in applying for the new cohort can get more information online at http://bit.ly/1erbLeK and begin by completing an online application. That would be followed by an interview with the chief startup officer and a presentation to the entrance committee.

The five-month curriculum for the upcoming cohort will run from July 11 through December.

Since it began, the Advantage Accelerator has helped turn 19 business startups into viable companies. The 19 companies that have completed the program have generated $6.6 million in revenue and grants. Officials say that as the program continues, it should lead to the successful launching of about five sustainable new companies a year by 2017.

Dr. Thomas Rogers, CEO of Core Vitality Clinic, a regenerative therapy and naturopathic medical clinic, graduated with the most recent cohort.

"One of the most valuable things that I've learned through the process is the importance of branding and consistency that comes with excellent service," Rogers said. "The fundamentals of a good business are a good product and a good service, but behind that is an element of recognition."

The Advantage Accelerator is one component of the Oregon Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network, or Oregon RAIN, which is a collaboration of OSU, the University of Oregon, local communities and economic development agencies. It's designed to bring more university research and community ideas to the commercial marketplace.

The graduating companies from the most recent cohort include:

• Core Vitality Clinic medical facility, which provides regenerative medical treatments for orthopedic, neuro-degenerative and neuro-developmental conditions along with regenerative aesthetics for non-surgical facial rejuvenation.
• DanioDiscovery, a contract research laboratory providing customers with critical data regarding the bioactivity of small molecules and mixtures, using a low-cost innovation, the embryonic zebrafish.
• e-MSion, which has technology to increase the accuracy of identification and quantification of molecules from complex mixtures while largely eliminating misidentifications, is readily adaptable to current mass spectrometers, and enables new designs.
• Northwest Research Laboratories, which has manufactured an ultraviolet audit product to confirm surfaces were cleaned in hotels, restaurants, hospitals, cruise ships, salons, public spaces and transportation.
• Pure Living, an online news aggregator and blog to educate and advise women how to easily identify and reduce harmful effects of synthetic chemicals and naturally occurring toxins through lifestyle changes, purchasing choices and diagnostic testing.

Companies that complete the Advantage Accelerator program develop a portfolio of accomplishments, including training to attract investors, formation of a valid business model, planning for the future, and creation of an initial product to show prospective customers, investors or manufacturers. The initiative includes mentoring with industry and entrepreneurial experts, consulting sessions, access to seed grants and the OSU Venture Fund, as well as meetings with active investors and workshops on pertinent topics.