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USM Hosts Technology Commercialization and Incubation Summer Institute

July 14, 2004

Policy makers, entrepreneurs and others will gather in Portland to share best practices on how to help convert new ideas and products into successful businesses that, in turn, can boost the state's economy.

The annual Technology Commercialization and Incubation Summer Institute will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. this Tuesday, July 20, on the seventh floor of USM's Glickman Family Library, located at the intersection of Forest Avenue and Bedford St., Portland.

The institute is hosted by the USM School of Business Center for Entrepreneurship and Small Business, and sponsored by the Applied Technology Development Centers, a statewide system of business incubators aimed at developing and retaining successful start-up businesses. The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development coordinates the system.

"Maine has made substantial investments in research and development," said Phil Helgerson, director of the Applied Technology Development Centers. "It's equally important that we bring together members of the science and technology communities to explore ways to move new products to commercialization."

Speakers include:

Dr. Janet Yancey-Wrona, newly appointed director of the Office of Innovation, and Maine's Science and Technology Advisor, who will address the outlook for Maine's science and technology businesses.

Jim Finkle, manager of the Long Island High Technology Incubator. The award-winning incubator is noted for community and academic partnerships that generate needed services for client companies. Finkle, a graduate of the University of Maine, worked in town management in Bangor, Veazie, and Vassalboro.

Joel Wiggins, director of the Austin Technology Incubator, another award-winning technology incubator, with a successful track record in preparing its client companies for early-stage capital, and introducing individual and institutional investors to companies.ÊÊATI also has a successful program that offers management know-how to their clients.

Debbie Neuman will explain the Target Technology Center'sÊÊservice of helping client firms create and successfully employ advisory boards. John Ferland will describe key best practices undertaken by the Center for Environmental Enterprise.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling 780-5919, or by e-mailing cesb@usm.maine.edu.

For more information, contact Phil Helgerson, director of the Applied Technology Development Centers, at 624-9802 or Philip.Helgerson@maine.gov

INSTITUTE SCHEDULE:

8:30 a.m.-Coffee, etc.

9:00Ê a.m.-Conference Start and Keynote -- Jim Finkle, Manager Long Island High Technology Incubator

12:15 p.m.-Luncheon and Keynote Address -- Joel Wiggins, Director Austin Technology Institute

3:00 p.m.-Remarks and Outlook on Science and Technology in Maine by Dr. Janet Yancey-Wrona, Science and Technology Advisor andÊDirector of the Office of Innovation, DECD.

3:45 p.m.-Reception

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