Syracuse University is partnering to present The NEXT Innovation Conference, focusing on innovation in technology, manufacturing, and biotech. The event November 8, from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. will be held at The Oncenter in downtown Syracuse. NEXT brings together fast-track companies, managers, researchers, medical professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs to meet and learn from each other and from global thought leaders and industry experts. A technology showcase features breakthrough science from university and industry research teams and displays from businesses developing cutting-edge products, giving attendees a unique first-hand look at NEXT generation opportunities, tools, and discoveries. It is sponsored by CASE Center at Syracuse University, the NYS Science and Technology Law Center at Syracuse University College of Law, and the CNY Biotech Accelerator. Learn more here.
The agenda includes:
8:15 – 9 am, Registration, light breakfast, networking in Technology Showcase
9:00 – 9:15am, Welcome and Introduction: Ryan McMahon, County Executive, Onondaga County
9:20 – 10:05am, Morning Workshops
PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER FOR SUCCESS
The Importance of IP, Market, Regulatory & Business Information
Experts in startup formation and support discuss the type of research and information necessary for startups to move forward.
Panel Lead
Jack Rudnick, Esq., NYS Science & Technology Law Center, Syracuse University College of Law
Speakers
- John Boger, Esq., Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti
- David Eilers, Adjunct/MBA@Syracuse, Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University
- Denis Sullivan, Partner, Barclay Damon
- Jessie Verna, Former Director of Regulatory Affairs – CONMED Corporation, CONMED Corporation
STUDENT INNOVATION
Student innovation promotes opportunities beyond solving problems. Student innovation programs inspire students to foster creation of new ventures and offers prospects for students to develop transferable job skills. This expert panel will discuss how their various programs achieve their student innovation mission and vision.
Panel Lead
Jamey Hoose, Director, Shipley Center for Innovation, Clarkson University
Speakers
- Richard DeMartino, Director, Albert J. Simone Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, RIT
- Laura Holmes, Director of Incubator Operations, Koffman Southern Tier Incubator
- Robert Manasier , CEO, In Focus Brands
10:05 – 10:35am
Break: Tech Showcase FEATURE Spotlight
10:45 – 11:30am
Morning Workshops
DEMYSTIFYING SMART MANUFACTURING
Smart Manufacturing harnesses the power of big data and wireless sensors to enable smarter manufacturing decisions. This panel will discuss ways that Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technology will transform manufacturing by helping to optimize supply chains, monitor processes and equipment in real time, and avoid downtime through predictive maintenance.
Panel Lead
Beth Bornick, Smart Manufacturing Lead, Fuzehub
Speakers
- Wayne Bequette, Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Technical Manager, Northern Regional Manufacturing Center of the Clean Energy Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CESMII) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Sean Miller, Controls Engineering Manager, Bartell Machinery Systems
CASE STUDIES IN STARTUP SUCCESS
Startups who have successfully established profitable operations – or are well on their way – talk about the challenges they have encountered along the way.
Panel Lead
Judy Albers, VanArsdale Chair: School Of Business, SUNY Geneseo
Speakers
- Joe Dickson, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Pelitex
- Paula Doyle, CMO, EndoGlow
- Chuck Stormon, Chief Executive Officer, Acumen Detection, Inc.
- Richard Uhlig, Chief Executive Officer, Quadrant Biosciences
11:35 am – 1:20pm
LUNCHEON KEYNOTE
Daniel Faggella is CEO / founder at Emerj AI Research, a research and advisory firm that helps global organizations develop productive AI strategies. Emerj specialized in mapping the landscape of AI capabilities, and determining the critical trends that matter most in sectors like healthcare, finance, and defense. Daniel conducts cutting-edge research for clients like the World Bank, global pharmaceutical companies, and more.
1:25 – 2:10 pm
Afternoon Workshops
AI / UAS / DRONE INNOVATION
CNY has established itself as a hub for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) technology, with companies developing technologies to enable growth and development of the UAS traffic management (UTM) corridor. Panelists will discuss how this ecosystem can help establish a roadmap for the rest of the world to follow and how their organization is playing a unique role to advance UAS integration.
Panel Lead
Dr. Pramod Varshney, Director, CASE and Distinguished Professor, Syracuse University, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Speakers
- George W. Davis, Business Development Manager , NSION
- Timothy Gleeson, Captain, Syracuse Fire Department
- Mike Hertzendorf, Interim Chief Executive Officer, NUAIR
- Frank Matus, Director, Strategy & Business Development , Thales Air Traffic Management
- Jamie Winders, Director, ASPI Policy Institute
WOMEN IN INNOVATION
Women in innovation and entrepreneurship face different obstacles than their male peers. These obstacles account for the disparity of women starting their own companies and making it to the c-suite. Yet, while there are less women entrepreneurs, women-led startups yield higher returns on investment and research has shown that incorporating diversity in an entrepreneurial team increases productivity, efficiency and profitability. Recognizing women-centric obstacles and addressing those bottlenecks is important to close the gender gap. How do we close the gender gap in innovation and entrepreneurship? Join us for a facilitated conversation about meaningful strategies to address this problem offered by stakeholders from all components of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Panel Lead
Emily Ekland, Commercialization Director, Innovation Resource Center, Division of Science, Technology & Innovation
Speakers
- Kathryn Cartini, Partner, Chloe Capital; CMO, Upstate Venture Connect & Owner, Peacock Media, LLC
- Amanda Curtis, CEO and Co-Founder, Nineteenth Amendment
- Ana-Maria Galeano, Chair, Corporate Practice Group, The Wagoner Firm, PLLC
- Norma J. Nowak, PhD, Executive Director, NYS Center of Excellence, Bioinformatics & Life Sciences, Center for Advanced Technology, Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships and Professor of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo
2:10 – 2:40pm
Break: Tech Showcase FEATURE Spotlight
2:45 – 3:30 pm
Closing Panel
TECHNOLOGY IN SPORTS
- Quentin Hillsman, Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Syracuse University
- Ryan Lynch, Executive Director, Macroburst Productions
- Robert Podfigurny, Lerentech Solutions, Partner, Macroburst Productions
- Jeffrey Rubin, Chief Executive Officer, Sidearm Sports
- Kelley Walton, Head of Global Experiential Marketing, Under Armour, Inc.
- John Wildhack, Director of Athletics, Syracuse University
3:30 – 5:00 pm
Reception and Networking in Technology Showcase
There is a fee for this event. Register here.