Agenda - WBTshowcase 2010

This session provides an introduction to the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) and the mechanisms used to work with federal laboratories.

This session will focus on methods that have been successfully utilized to assess and optimize the potential market return on early stage technologies. Technology valuation relies on a variety of key inputs, ranging from a clear understanding of market utility to well defined strategies for adequate IP protection. “Value” is often defined as enhanced performance beyond what is currently available. Even better is adding “Value” at a lower cost. A panel of experienced practitioners will discuss how to identify and quantify the maximum value potential for early stage technologies.

The importance of effective collaboration between government, academia, and industry, or triple helix partnerships,that can efficiently move science-based knowledge from discovery to commercialization is widely accepted.  Equally critical in creating new value chains is the partnership among academia, venture capital, and entrepreneurs that can result in the successful commercialization of new technology.  The unique combination of intellectual, strategic, and financial capacity provides the framework for driving innovation.  The academic medical center is able to monetize select innovation by:  license of the technology to a partner, the outright sale of the intellectual property, or launch of a new company.  Developing new technology is an art and a science. Likewise, the building of a company is an art and a science.  The capacity to manage resources and risk effectively plays a critical role in the commercialization of innovation in the marketplace.

As large companies realize that the majority of innovation happens outside of their corporate boundaries, what options do they have? What is Open Innovation and what does it take for it to work? How do you reconcile openness and IP protection? In this panel, we’ll be taking a look at the best practices, banner case studies – and what to avoid to ensure a successful implementation. We’ll also discuss the opportunities for researchers, inventors and entrepreneurs to participate successfully.

Corporate Venture Capital investment can offer tremendous strategic and financial opportunities to both the corporation (investors) and entrepreneurs (investees). But all too often the inherent structural incompatibility between mature and early-stage firms, strategic misalignment between the parties, or inattention to aligning incentives can cause even the most promising CVC-based partnership to turn out badly for all involved. In this session, we’ll explore some of the critical elements that can affect outcomes from both sides of the equation, discuss the process and pitfalls that arise when strategic investors and entrepreneurs engage with one another, and share some disciplines that both sides can apply to make the relationship work. Attendees are encouraged to email any relevant questions to acaper@synchronyvm.com in advance.

Developing and commercializing market-ready technology with a university can offer tremendous benefits, but the relationship can be a minefield to negotiate. Success has a great deal to do with the terms of engagement and the willingness to make the deal work on both sides.

Mike Rainone is the founder of PCDworks, Inc., a technology development firm that specializes in new product development, and the president of Active Water Sciences, Inc., a new partnership between PCDworks, Inc. and Sam Houston State University that offers breakthrough products for wastewater management. Co-presenter Dan Davis is Associate Vice President for Research Development and Technology Commercialization at SHSU. Rainone and Davis will outline the do's and don'ts for companies hoping to find, develop and market new products with universities.

A world endeavor was initiated by the National Nanotechnology Initiative long-term R&D vision formulated at the end of 1990s. This paper outlines the foundational knowledge development since 2000, its current $1.7 billion program underpinning about $80 billion production incorporating nanoscale components in the United States, and likely evolution towards a general purpose technology by 2020. R&D trends and new areas of application of nanotechnology will be discussed. The nanoscale science and engineering integration promises revolutionary novel products, mass use of the new technology, and better comprehension and conservation of nature.

- NNI Investment in FY 2011 Budget Request
- NNI: Past, Present, Future
- Trends in worldwide nanotechnology patent applications: 1991 to 2008

At the 2009 WBT, the DoD hosted a seminar discussing some of the programs and approaches DoD has instituted to work with businesses beyond the traditional methods of the Government procurement system. DoD now is using some innovative ways to work with companies that traditionally do not work with them. There are great technologies and products in the private sector that have been developed for purposes not related to DoD needs but have applicability to Defense programs. The challenge for DoD is in bringing those technologies into use for our warfighters. This session will focus on three of the many pathways that have been opened to bring industry together with DoD in partnership arrangements that make good business sense and help DoD acquire products meeting critical needs. Today’s panel will discuss use of: the Defense Production Act Title III program to establish industrial production capacity, MilTech to provide manufacturing, supply chain, and design assistance to small innovative companies, and the DoD Open Business Cell to open the door for innovative partnering on product development and delivery.

Accessing patient capital for funding high technical risk research is one of the most challenging aspects of creating a successful technology enterprise. Gaining a national voice that withing a network potential customers and manufacturing specialization is a goal that often eludes many small businesses and start-ups. The capital intensiveness of specialized equipment used for manufacturing novel nano-fabricated prototypes and pre-manufactured products can inhibit new nano-enabled ventures from being launched and products from being pursued. Not understanding how to gain access to a cadre of technical experts and inventions, available to all researchers and startups, and how they can be used to help accelerate new technology ventures, can slow the growth of new firms and their ideas.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST, offers an array of programs and services that address these challenges and more faced by start-ups and innovators. As the lead agency within the Department of Commerce for technology innovation, NIST programs and services can help firms become successful participants in the global marketplace. This panel will provide a snapshot into some of these programs, and examples of how they can be used to accelerate the growth of advanced technologies and businesses.

This session will explore how regional economic development goals are being realized by leveraging federal R&D and venture capital.

As the venture capital industry is undergoing substantial changes and the turmoil on capital markets has impacted initial public offerings, Corporations may play a bigger role in funding or enabling startups. What are the objectives of corporate venture capital? What sorts of partner programs are there? This panel will explore the keys to success for working with corporations and obtaining funding from them.