Conference to feature 16 start-up companies created from UF research

April 6, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida’s Third Annual Celebration of Innovation Showcase 2009 will bring some of UF’s latest research in medicine, life science and technology to the public next week.

The conference, scheduled for April 14 at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center, will feature 16 start-up companies created to market and manufacture research innovations.

Through a series of overviews and information sessions, investors and entrepreneurs will be introduced to each company’s mission and the innovation behind it. Those interested will have a chance to be involved in the future of UF’s hottest medical and technological research.

The conference starts after a buffet lunch with opening remarks by UF President Bernie Machen and an overview of UF research and commercialization milestones by Win Phillips, UF’s vice president for research. The afternoon continues with a keynote panel discussion with prominent venture capitalists, followed by an overview of technology opportunities from David Day, director of the Office of Technology Licensing at UF, and Jane Muir, associate director of OTL. Breakout sessions with the companies will go from 3 to 5 p.m.

Last year, OTL provided 75 licenses on more than 100 new technologies, Muir said.

“The university is a huge research engine,” Muir said. “Our goal is to get that research out of the laboratory and into the marketplace.”

The showcase starts at 11:30 a.m. with registration and continues until 5 p.m. An inventors’ reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m.

For more information, visit:
http://conferences.dce.ufl.edu/innovationshowcase/.