OSU to host Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summit in Corvallis on May 9

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University is hosting entrepreneurs, innovators and investors at a daylong event designed to maximize the impact of research advances and other ideas for new products and services.

The OSU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summit is scheduled for 1 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, at the CH2M Hill Alumni Center, 725 SW 26^th St., Corvallis.

There is no fee to participate, but early registration is encouraged as space is limited. The event is open to the public.

“We’ve structured the summit so researchers and innovators can understand all of the available resources, including funding, that can enable their promising work to have a bigger impact,” said Karl Mundorff, co-director of the OSU Advantage Accelerator, which assists entrepreneurs seeking to start companies. “Participants also will learn how OSU-born innovation and entrepreneurial leaders have made an impact on Oregon’s economy, and be able to connect with regional innovation organizations.”

Rick Spinrad, the former vice president for research at Oregon State who retired in 2016 as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s chief scientist, will deliver a keynote address at 5:30 p.m.

Breakout sessions on funding sources, potential legal pitfalls, and technology commercialization and intellectual property protection will kick off the day, followed by a resource fair. The full agenda is available online.

Oregon State University Advantage and the OSU Advantage Accelerator are hosting the event.

Led by Brian Wall, associate vice president for research, innovation and economic impact, the Oregon State University Advantage aims to maximize OSU’s impact by being a leading resource for the strategic innovation economy in Oregon and beyond.

The Advantage Accelerator, under the direction of Mundorff and Mark Lieberman, helps nascent startups develop and commercialize high-growth, innovative technologies. The accelerator works with OSU faculty, students, staff and the broader university community to advance ideas and conduct research into products and services, guiding entrepreneurs through all phases of the commercialization process.