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Mtech News, Opportunities and Events
November 6, 2009

News

  • University of Maryland Technology Start-Up Boot Camp Videos and Slides Available Online
  • Registration Now Open for the University of Maryland Certificate in Innovation Management Program
  • Hillman Entrepreneurs Student Trevor Young Featured in Washington Post Magazine, National Public Radio

Opportunities

  • Free Legal Services on Intellectual Property and Related Matters for Entrepreneurs and Emerging Tech Companies: Maryland Intellectual Property Legal Resource Center Now at UM, Mtech
  • Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund: Financing Available for Qualifying Green Companies

Upcoming Mtech Events

  • November 10: Free, Open Entrepreneur Office Hours for University of Maryland Students, Faculty and Staff, and Regional Entrepreneurs with Tech-Based Startups or Ideas
  • November 13: Mtech Market Research Workshop

Partner and Other Events

  • November 10: Cloud Computing
  • November 10: Topics in Protein Folding Symposium
  • November 11: Our National Cybersecurity: Emerging Challenges and Strategies
  • November 12: University of Maryland Bioscience Research & Technology Review Day
  • November 12: MITEF Rockville Launch: Startup Lab - B2B Social Networking
  • November 13: TEDCO Funding Briefing
  • November 13: Pitch Dingman
  • November 16: TechCelebration: NVTC’s Annual Banquet
  • November 17: 2009 Maryland SBIR Conference
  • November 17: 3rd Annual Microsoft Government Contractor Summit: Powering Business Growth and Transformation in the Government Contractor Sector
  • November 18: UMBC's Visionaries in IT Forum featuring Gary Marino
  • November 18: UMBC Biotech Forum
  • November 19: "Entrepreneurial Leadership in the New Economy," by S. Tien Wong, Opus8, Inc.
  • November 19: Entrepreneurship Speaker Series - Cost of Capital: Funding in a Down Economy
  • November 19: Managing Your Revenue Stream: Financial Options Worth Considering by Life Science Companies
  • November 20: GBTC 101
  • December 1: Crossing the Commercialization Chasm!
  • December 2: TECHknowledge Speaker Series - Chris Hughes, Co-Founder of Facebook
  • December 8: The State of Stimulus "Recovery Act:" Technology Opportunities and Spending Forecast
  • December 9: Converting Emerging Technology to Steady Cash Flow
  • December 10: BioBreakfast Series: Orphan Drugs and Devices - Incentives and Opportunities to Drive Commercial Success
  • December 15: TCM Fifth Annual Holiday Networking Celebration

Mtech venture programs' valued 2009-2010 sponsors are Fish & Richardson P.C. and Nixon Peabody LLP.

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News

University of Maryland Technology Start-Up Boot Camp Videos and Slides Available Online
Video, slides and the event program from the UM Technology Start-Up Boot Camp are available at: http://www.bootcamp.umd.edu/agenda.html

Registration Now Open for the University of Maryland Certificate in Innovation Management Program
Earn a Certificate in Innovation Management through five, one-day courses starting this January.

Innovation is the key to growth, revitalization, and the creation of value for your customers, your shareholders and society. With today's pace of technological advancement and globalization, an entrepreneurial approach to innovation that considers business and technology is essential for all companies and organizations to succeed and thrive.

Two nationally-acclaimed schools at the University of Maryland, the Robert H. Smith School of Business and the A. James Clark School of Engineering, are bringing together world-class business and technology instructors to offer the Certificate in Innovation Management. This unique, five-day program pairs award-winning entrepreneurs and faculty from business and engineering to address:

  • What is the best strategy for my firm?
  • How should I market my innovation?
  • How should I measure and track the innovation's success financially?
  • How can I best negotiate with the partners I need to succeed?
  • How can I manage the product design and development process?

Individual, one-day courses focus on:

When you enroll in five days of study, you will earn a Certificate in Innovation Management from the University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering and the Robert H. Smith School of Business to recognize your knowledge in the topics covered and enhance your resume and credentials.
Learn more and register at www.innovation.umd.edu

Hillman Entrepreneurs Student Trevor Young Featured in Washington Post Magazine, National Public Radio
Trevor Young, a Hillman Entrepreneurs student and founder of Tseai Energy Unlimited, was featured this week in stories in the Washington Post Magazine and National Public Radio. Young's company is developing technology to process agricultural waste into methane to provide electricity to rural, third-world communities. Part of Young's plan is to establish agricultural processing plants to take advantage of a region's native crops, create products from those crops, and use the waste produced to create energy.

Opportunities

Free Legal Services on Intellectual Property and Related Matters for Entrepreneurs and Emerging Tech Companies: Maryland Intellectual Property Legal Resource Center Now at UM, Mtech
The Maryland Intellectual Property Legal Resource Center (MIPLRC), which offers free legal services on intellectual property and related matters to entrepreneurs and emerging technology companies and explores relevant legal, ethical and policy issues in the high technology and intellectual property areas, is now at the university and Mtech. MIPLRC’s legal services are available at no charge to university faculty and students, as well as to regional entrepreneurs and startup companies. For more information, visit www.miplrc.org.

Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund: Financing Available for Qualifying Green Companies
If your company or technology could improve air or water quality around the Chesapeake Bay area, consider applying for investment from the Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund. Supported by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and administered by Mtech, the fund will invest $250,000 annually over a three-year period into Maryland-based startup companies with innovative technologies that may help improve air and water quality in the Chesapeake Bay area. Fund recipients are jointly selected by Mtech and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. More»

Upcoming Mtech Events

November 10, 10 a.m.-noon: Free, Open Entrepreneur Office Hours for University of Maryland Students, Faculty and Staff, and Regional Entrepreneurs with Tech-Based Startups or Ideas
Mtech is hosting free office hours to help aspiring and current entrepreneurs with tech-based startups or ideas get advice on how to:

  • build and finance a startup company
  • develop and protect intellectual property
  • navigate the technology transfer process
  • refine your business strategy for rapid growth
  • tap into other entrepreneurial resources

Representatives from the following organizations and groups are typically on hand to speak with you one-on-one regarding any questions you might have about starting a company:

Location: Room 1103, Technology Advancement Program building
Read more and register at: www.eoh.umd.edu

November 13, noon-1p.m.: Mtech Market Research Workshop
Created especially for UM faculty and students, this workshop is open to anyone, including persons interested in entering the UM $75K Business Plan Competition. Don't miss this informative workshop presented by Dr. Dean Chang, Director of Mtech's Venture and Entrepreneurship Education Programs.

What separates just an idea from a great venture concept? First and foremost is a good understanding of the market for that concept. In this workshop, we will give you working examples of where to find free, valuable, and essential information to validate whether there's a market for your idea and help you answer questions like:

  • How big is the market for my venture concept and what are the industry trends?
  • Who is my primary competition, what is their business model, and what is their market share?
  • What sources of market research are available to me?

Please register to attend at http://bpc.umd.edu/mr_workshop.html

Partner and Other Events

November 10, 1-4 p.m.: Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is changing the way IT services are delivered. The cloud is streamlining software and hardware business models and delivering services to your servers and desktops in real time. Instead of waiting weeks or months for software and hardware, companies are now receiving these items in days, hours, minutes or in real-time. Cloud computing is allowing companies to maximize performance, minimize cost and improve the scope of their work. The Cloud Computing Conference will bring together all of the major players in IT. They will include CIOs, CTOs and VPs of IT looking to learn the latest developments in Cloud Computing; infrastructure professionals, platform providers, application service providers, IT consultants and others looking to increase productivity and decrease cost for the IT equipment and programs their staffs need to be successful.
Location: Ronald Reagan International Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
More information: TCM events page

November 10: Topics in Protein Folding Symposium
At this symposium, organized by the Maryland Biophysics Program, eight speakers will be talking about protein folding in Biosciences 1103. Introductions start at 8:30 am. Speakers are: Ken Dill, UCSF; Doug Barrick, JHU; Jasna Brujic, NYU; Dave Thirumalai, UMD; William A. Eaton, NIH; Lila Gierasch, U.Mass.; George H. Lorimer, UMD; Jose Onuchic, UCSD. All are welcome!
Location: 1103 Biosciences Bldg., University of Maryland
More information: event page

November 11, 6:40-7:40 p.m.: Our National Cybersecurity: Emerging Challenges and Strategies
The University of Maryland University College (UMUC) Center for Security Studies invites you to a special, free event, Our National Cybersecurity: Emerging Challenges and Strategies, featuring a keynote speech by Dale Meyerrose, the first CIO for the National Intelligence Community and current vice president and general manager for Cyberspace Solutions at Harris Corporation. "It is hard to overstate cyberspace's importance, its ubiquity and its impact to national security, banking, manufacturing, goods and services, energy, air traffic control, medical care, food supply, knowledge and life's ordinary routines," says Meyerrose. "The time has come for us to have a serious public discourse about it."
Location: UMUC Inn & Conference Center, Adelphi Road, Adelphi, MD 20783
More information: event page

November 12, 9-5:30 p.m.: University of Maryland Bioscience Research & Technology Review Day
The 10th Annual Bioscience Research and Technology Review Day on November 12, 2009 will feature a variety of special presentations on the theme of the Human and Biological Consequences of Climate Change. Learn about the impact that climate change is having on all living organisms - from bacteria to birds, from flu to frogs, and from polar bears to people.

Thomas Lovejoy, one of the leading conservation biologists in the world, known for founding the PBS show Nature, will give the keynote address. Other highlights include an internship and career fair, a poster session showcasing cutting edge University of Maryland research, and the 3rd Annual Professor Venture Fair, which gives faculty inventors the opportunity to pitch new technologies to a team of five venture capitalists and entrepreneurs who judge them based on commercial viability. This event is free and open to the public.
Location: Stamp Student Union at the University of Maryland, College Park
More information: event Web site

November 12, 6:30-9 p.m.: MITEF Rockville Launch: Startup Lab - B2B Social Networking
This is MITEF’s inaugural public event in suburban Maryland. We are partnering with Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) to combine our resources in support of the large entrepreneurial community in Maryland. We have selected Unyos, LLC as our first company to present in the Rockville area. Unyos is a software business offering solutions in B2B communication and social networking.
Location: 9600 Gudelsky Dr., Rockville, MD 20850
More information: MITEF event page

November 13, 2-3:30 p.m.: TEDCO Funding Briefing
TEDCO Funding briefings provide detailed information about TEDCO’s primary funding programs for seed stage companies, including:

  • Fort Detrick Technology Transfer Initiative (FDTTI)
  • Maryland Technology Transfer Fund (MTTF)
  • TechStart
  • Johnson and Johnson Joint Investment Program
  • University Technology Development Fund (UTDF)
  • Working Capital Loan Fund (WCLF)
  • Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF)
  • Rural Business Initiative (RBI)
  • NAVAIR Technology Insertion (NAVTI) Initiative

Attendees will learn about eligibility requirements, proposal submission guidelines, review processes, award conditions, reporting requirements and payback (MTTF, UTDF, and WCLF only). These briefings should be of interest to economic development professionals, angel investors, entrepreneurs, small technology-based businesses, small defense contractors and university faculty inventors. Briefings are free, however registration is required.
Location: TEDCO, 5565 Sterrett Place Suite 214, Columbia, MD 21044
More information: TEDCO event page

November 13, 11 a.m.-1 p,m.: Pitch Dingman
Do you have a good idea for a venture but need some help from the experts to transform it into a thriving business? Pitch Dingman is a great program for UMD students who want to explore the opportunity to own and operate their own business. The first three Fridays of the month, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., the Dingman Center team makes its professional investment staff and Entrepreneurs in Residence available to hear and evaluate new business ideas. Students give a short (3-5 minute) "pitch" or a persuasive overview of their idea and we provide actionable feedback based upon The Dingman Process. On the last Friday of the month, students can compete for $2,500 in start-up funding at the Pitch Dingman Competition. If you’re interested, bring your "A" game and a polished pitch. Not ready to compete? Attend one of the competitions to see how other students do it.
Location: 3570 Van Munching Hall (Smith School of Business)
Sign up: PitchDingman@rhsmith.umd.edu

November 16, 5:30 p.m.: TechCelebration: NVTC’s Annual Banquet
If you have been to TechCelebration, you know that our annual banquet is the best networking event for the tech community in town! Don't miss the opportunity to make new business connections, rekindle old ones and see old friends at NVTC's Annual Banquet. We are delighted that this year's annual banquet will feature General George W. Casey, Jr., Chief of Staff of the Army and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Honorable Tim Kaine, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, will receive NVTC's prestigious Chairman's Award. Presenting the award to Governor Kaine will be Senator Mark Warner and NVTC Board Chair Donna Morea, President of CGI. NVTC is also pleased to announce a new award designed to honor area technology companies who are making an impact on our region through top-notch green practices. The first NVTC Green Award will be presented at TechCelebration.
Location: The Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean, VA
More information: NVTC event page

November 17, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.: 2009 Maryland SBIR Conference
Position your small business to commercialize its SBIR technology faster than the competition by understanding how to incorporate a client-centered R&D approach through each stage of your SBIR!

The Maryland 2009 SBIR Conference will feature:

  • Specifics on how reauthorization will affect your small business
  • Representatives from the major Federal SBIR/STTR agencies available for one-on-one counseling
  • Beginner track programming to help those new to SBIR both avoid proposal-writing pitfalls and assimilate the resources (people, lab space, expertise) needed to execute a successful Phase I project
  • Advanced track programming for experienced SBIR companies wanting to know more about the new government commercialization assistance programs and the logistics of commercializing via private means
  • Presentations by prominent members of the SBIR community and companies that have leveraged SBIR awards and made millions
  • Special Session for Economic Developers on the use of SBIR as a tool for technology-based economic development with special attention on how to build SBIR into the business strategy and funding stream of client companies

Location: Greenbelt Marriott, 6400 Ivy Lane, Greenbelt, MD, 20770
More information: TEDCO event page

November 17, 7:45 a.m.-4 p.m.: 3rd Annual Microsoft Government Contractor Summit: Powering Business Growth and Transformation in the Government Contractor Sector
At the Third Annual Microsoft Government Contractor Summit, you'll hear from government contractor business visionaries on what you should be doing now to prepare for the future. Presenters include Microsoft's leading business transformation speakers, senior executives at the most successful government contractors, and experts on the future of government contracting.
Location: Fairview Park Marriott, Falls Church, VA
More information: Microsoft event page

November 18, 7:30-9 a.m.: UMBC's Visionaries in IT Forum featuring Gary Marino
This year marks the 10th Year of the UMBC Visionaries in Information Technology Forum! On November 18th the second of four Forums features Gary Marino – Senior Vice President, PayPal & General Manager, Bill Me Later. “Collaboration: Where Technology Meets Business” In 2008, Bill Me Later was acquired by eBay’s PayPal unit for nearly $1billion, in the largest venture funded deal of the year. Join us on November 18th to find out how a cutting edge technology was transformed into an extremely successful business from the person that made it happen. Gary spent nearly 20 years in banking before founding Bill Me Later, a leading alternative payments business. Gary Marino has been featured in publications such as Business Week, Fortune, Wall Street Journal and The New York Times and has earned recognition as Entrepreneur of the Year, Inc. Magazine’s Top 50 (no.4) and Red Herring’s Fast 50(no.3).
Location: The Westin Baltimore-Washington Airport, 1110 Old Elkridge Landing Road, Linthicum MD 21090
More information: event page

November 18, 6-8:30 p.m.: UMBC Biotech Forum
Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of BIO (Biotechnology Industry Organization) will speak on Healing, Feeding and Fueling the World through Biotechnology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Biotech Forum. Mr. Greenwood will discuss how the biotechnology field is rapidly developing and how new breakthroughs will in time translate into solutions to today’s most pressing issues in healthcare, food supply and alternative sources of energy. This free event is open to the public and is sponsored by UMBC’s Biotechnology Graduate Programs.
Location: 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250
More information: event page

November 19. 4:30 p.m.: "Entrepreneurial Leadership in the New Economy," by S. Tien Wong, Opus8, Inc.
Serial entrepreneur and private investor S .Tien Wong will present his thoughts on what it will take to succeed in the new economy. The business and economic climates have radically changed in the past 18 months. Business is as challenging and competitive as ever, capital is scarce, and customers are more demanding. What does this mean for entrepreneurs and future leaders? Wong will draw on his experience as Founder and CEO of one of the world's largest customer relationship management (CRM) companies, as well as his experience in investing in and acquiring business services and technology companies. Topics will include the changing nature of customer service, private equity, IT and the emergence of China as a powerhouse, and how these trends may alter the way we need to conduct business and train our future business leaders.
Location: Room 1110 Kim Engineering Building, University of Maryland
More information: Clark School of Engineering event page

November 19, 8:30-10:30 a.m.: Entrepreneurship Speaker Series - Cost of Capital: Funding in a Down Economy
Businesses poised for next-stage growth often turn to angel and mezzanine financing in addition to commercial banks. The long-term success of your business in large part hinges not just on obtaining capital but understanding how these vehicles impact your equity, assets and operations. Join this expert panel for a frank exploration of growth and its true cost of capital to your organization in today’s challenging economy. This panel discussion will be moderated by Newt Fowler, Lead - Business Transactions, Rosenberg Martin Greeberg LLP. Panelists will include: Rick Faint, Managing Principal, Evergreen Capital LLC; Paul Mauritz, Vice President, e.magination network, llc; Dave Troy, Founder, Roundhouse Technologies and Baltimore Angels; and David Wooding, SVP, The Columbia Bank.
Location: University of Baltimore, William H. Thumel Sr. Business Center, M. Scot Kaufman Auditorium, 11 W. Mt. Royal Ave., Baltimore, MD 21201
More information: event page

November 19, 4:30-6:30 p.m.: Managing Your Revenue Stream: Financial Options Worth Considering by Life Science Companies
The Greater Baltimore Committee, the Licensing Executives Society, Inc. and Whiteford Taylor & Preston invite you to attend a presentation, followed by wine and cheese. Speakers: Ms. Melissa LaFlair, Executive VP and GC, DRI Capital, Toronto, Canada - Topics: Selling royalty entitlements - Pros and cons of royalty monetization through sale; How royalty streams are assessed; Case studies Ms. Debora Stewart, Managing Director, IP Compliance Group, Invotex Group, Baltimore, Maryland - Topics: Managing your income stream to maximize your return; Royalty income compliance options; Examples of audit findings Moderator: Michael David, Ph.D., Esq. of Whiteford Taylor & Preston LLP
Location: Whiteford Taylor & Preston LLP, 19th Floor, 7 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
RSVP: events@wtplaw.com

November 20, noon-1 p.m.: GBTC 101
GBTC 101 is an introduction to the GBTC – our orientation. Spend an hour over breakfast/ or lunch and learn about our organization and the services we extend to our members. This session is designed for new members, new employees of existing members, and those companies considering joining the GBTC.
Location: 2400 Boston Street, Factory Bldg, 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21224
More information: GBTC event page

December 1, 6:30-9 p.m.: Crossing the Commercialization Chasm!
This exciting event will highlight the success of three companies that have translated seed funding from government grants (e.g., SBIR, ATP) into successful commercial solutions. We will learn how they navigated the process out of the lab and into the market and the challenges and pitfalls faced along the way. Our expert panelists will help highlight some of the key business decisions that influenced the ultimate outcome and assist the companies with the challenges they face moving forward.
Location: NRECA, Ballston , VA
More information: MITEF event page

December 2, 8-10:30 a.m.: TECHknowledge Speaker Series - Chris Hughes, Co-Founder of Facebook
TCM is excited to announce that Chris Hughes, co-founder of Facebook and developer of My.BarackObama.com, will kick off our brand new Executive Speaker Series. Chris Hughes is the co-founder of Facebook and developer of My.BarackObama.com – two of the most successful start-ups in modern history. He has spent his career developing technologies to make social communication and political organizing easier and more efficient. Chris is now an Entrepreneur in Residence at General Catalyst Partners, a venture capital firm that invests in entrepreneurs who are building the technology-based companies that will lead innovation and transform industries.
Location: Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, Bethesda, MD 20852
More information: TCM events page

December 8, 8-11 a.m.: The State of Stimulus "Recovery Act:" Technology Opportunities and Spending Forecast
The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) Business to Government committee in coordination with Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) present an update and overview of the technology and small business opportunities associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The $787 billion Recovery plan includes federal tax cuts and incentives, an expansion of unemployment benefits, and other spending on social entitlement programs. In addition, federal agencies are using Recovery funds to award contracts, grants, and loans around the country. To date, almost $15 billion in recovery act funds have been awarded to U.S. entities. The following expert panelist will explain where the money is going and what Stimulus IT opportunities still exist, with special focus on opportunities for Small Businesses.
Location: The Tower Club, 8000 Towers Crescent Drive, Vienna, VA
More information: NVTC event page

December 9, 7:30-10 a.m.: Converting Emerging Technology to Steady Cash Flow
Despite passion, drive and an abundance of good ideas, most new businesses will not make a profit during the first few years. So how do you turn your technology into a steady stream of cash that will allow you to operate your business? Come hear from a panel of experts who have asked that same question and come up with answers to make their businesses successful.
Location: The Center for Innovative Technology, 2214 Rock Hill Road, Herndon, VA
More information: NVTC event page

December 10, 7:30-10:30 a.m.: BioBreakfast Series: Orphan Drugs and Devices - Incentives and Opportunities to Drive Commercial Success
Just over 25 years ago, the U.S. Congress passed the Orphan Drug Act thanks in large part to the efforts of the National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD). This legislation provides financial incentives for the development of new treatments for rare diseases. Since the passage of the act in 1983, more than 300 orphan drugs and biological products have received marketing authorization and over 1000 different orphan drug designations have been granted by the FDA’s Office of Orphan Products Development. Join the MdBio Division of the Tech Council of Maryland to celebrate the success of the Orphan Drug Act and learn how bioscience companies can access and utilize its mandated incentives to facilitate drug development programs, shape business strategies, and drive commercial success.
Location: Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology (CARB), 9600 Gudelsky Drive Auditorium, Room A-107, Rockville, MD 20850
More information: TCM events page

December 15, 6-8 p.m.: TCM Fifth Annual Holiday Networking Celebration
Register now to attend our Fifth Annual Holiday Networking Celebration on Tuesday, December 15 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.! Each year we bring you the most high-profile holiday networking event featuring: Absolutely no speeches! Just uninterrupted networking time. A who’s who of the elite from the Maryland biotechnology and technology community. Open bar and great food in a larger venue. Free parking. The area’s Best Night of Holiday Networking! The dress is business attire.
Location: Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, Bethesda, MD 20852
More information: TCM events page

Mtech Sponsors
Mtech's venture programs work closely with organizations and persons, ranging from local entrepreneurs and angel investors to service providers and large corporations, who share a passion for starting and building ventures, as well as for training technologists to become founders. Mtech venture programs' valued 2009-2010 sponsors are Fish & Richardson P.C. and Nixon Peabody LLP.

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Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech)
A. James Clark School of Engineering
University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
301.405.3889