FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Utah Inventors to Exhibit New Technologies at Sorenson Inventor Showcase -MountainWest Capital Network and the University of Utah's Sorenson Discovery and Innovation Center Team up to Help Inventors and Entrepreneurs Form Lasting Relationships- April 10, 2008― It's Spring again. The time for new growth, new ideas and time for Utah's most ingenious inventors to emerge from their laboratories to show off their most impressive new technologies at the ninth annual Sorenson Inventor Showcase. Previously known as the Edison Showcase, the Sorenson Inventor Showcase is the premier networking event for inventors, entrepreneurs and the business community. It is a unique opportunity for universities throughout Utah to showcase their technologies. The spotlight will be on 40 of Utah's cutting edge technologies ranging from prototype concepts to well-established commercial entities. The showcase will also highlight innovation under the Utah Science, Technology and Research economic initiative (USTAR). A "speedpitch" component will take place this year in conjunction with the Governor's Office of Economic Development, offering attendees an opportunity to hear from researchers and inventors who wish to further peak the interest of the business and investment community.
"The showcase will provide a window for the business community to see the commercialization potential being pursued by a wide variety of university researchers along with the new USTAR teams," said Jack Brittain, University of Utah Vice President, Technology Venture Development. "The University of Utah, Utah State University, Brigham Young University, new start-up companies and well established companies based on university technologies will be exhibiting their innovations at the event."
The Sorenson Inventor Showcase will take place at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. The speedpitch presentations begin at 9 AM, the Showcase at 10 AM, followed by an awards luncheon at noon. This year's showcase is co-hosted by MountainWest Capital Network and the University of Utah's Sorenson Discovery and Innovation Center.
"It is vital for our community to build close ties with the universities because they are a tremendous engine for economic development," said Devin Thorpe, president of MountainWest Capital Network and Managing Director of the USTAR Technology Outreach and Innovation Program. "The technologies and companies that are born in university labs have the potential to become industry leaders, hiring hundreds of well-paid professionals, raising venture capital, making acquisitions and going public along the way. MWCN members can help these technology companies achieve success. Sometimes this process starts simply by putting all the right people in a room together."
During the awards luncheon, Dr. Pratap Khanwilkar will be presented with the Pathfinder Award. This achievement award recognizes University inventors who have successfully developed original ideas and technologies that affect our world. Dr. Khanwilkar pioneered a novel rotary system that is revolutionizing cardiac left ventricular assist devices and will be the ninth recipient of this notable award.
The event is made possible thanks to sponsorships from the University of Utah, Utah State University, the Governor's Office of Economic Development, USTAR Governing Authority and the Salt Lake Community College Miller Business Resource Center.
MountainWest Capital Network members may attend the showcase and luncheon at no cost. Public guests are welcome to attend for $35.
Seating is limited. Please register at www.mwcn.org. Registration is required no later than April 11, 2008. For more information call,
(801) 585-7139 or visit http://www.business.utah.edu/sorenson/.
About the Sorenson Discovery and Innovation Center
The David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah is honored to house the James LeVoy Sorenson Center for Discovery and Innovation Studies. The Center provides a collaborative learning and teaching environment for faculty and students and establishes the foundation to transform discovery and innovation studies, while changing the way students and scholars view the world of business and industry. Our primary mission is to create a lasting legacy in exceptional research, education and technology that reflect James Sorenson's inventiveness and vision.
About MountainWest Capital Network
Based in Salt Lake City, MountainWest Capital Network's members include a broad mix of entrepreneurs, venture capital providers, professional consultants, attorneys, bankers, accountants, and educators from universities and institutions of higher education. MWCN seeks to promote business growth and capital development in the state through a variety of educational and professional activities. The premier programs that MWCN provides to the business community, other than their networking events, include the Utah100 Program and the Utah Deal-Flow Report. Membership information is available through the MWCN website www.mwcn.org or via email at info@mwcn.org.
University of Utah Contact:
Shirlayne Quayle
T) 801.585.7139
E) shirlayne.quayle@business.utah.edu
MountainWest Capital Network Contact:
Cheri Farnsworth
T) 801.966.1430
E) mwest1005@qwestoffice.net
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