VCU to present 2nd annual Commercialization Workshop for Small Businesses August 12

By Malorie Burkett

WHAT:          Virginia Commonwealth University’s Office of Research and the School of Business will present the second annual Commercialization Workshop — a short course designed for small businesses that will focus on commercializing new high tech products and achieving company growth.

The workshop will feature founding CEOs of leading Virginia companies who will share their Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) experiences as high-tech growth companies. In addition, VCU School of Business faculty will provide instruction on the business planning process.

WHO:              The workshop is open to small high technology firms, entrepreneurs, research scientists, professional venture firms, private investors, banks, public finance agencies, and those who want to improve their commercialization success.

Some of this year’s featured speakers will include:

·         Dr. R. P. Turcotte, Office of Business Development, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton.

·         Dr. Kent A. Murphy, president and CEO, Luna Innovations, Blacksburg.

·         Dr. Frank J. Franzak, chair, Department of Marketing and Business Law, VCU School of Business.

·         Dr. A. Cliff Lilly, retired vice president for technology, Phillip Morris USA.

·         Dr. Gregory Milman, director, Office of Innovation and Special Programs, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.

·         Dr. David E. Upton, chair, Department of Finance, Insurance & Real Estate, VCU School of Business.           

·         Richard J. Martin, president, Noesis, Inc., Manassas.

WHEN:            Thursday, Aug. 12, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

WHERE:          University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. 

COST:             Advance registration for participants is $70 via check or $75 via credit card. Cash or check registration also will be available at the door for $85. Registration information is available at www.sw.edu/pac.html. For more information, contact Dr. K.C. Das, conference coordinator, at 804.897.0454 or e-mail kcdas@msn.com.