Global CONNECT Summit

December 7-9, 2011
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Hotel

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Catalyzing Growth through Regional Innovation Clusters

The purpose of the Global CONNECT Summit is to bring existing regional innovation centers together with developing economic regions to provide best practices and knowledge sharing to further strengthen US and international economies.

The 3-day Summit will examine regional innovation clusters and their impact on commercializing research discoveries. The key to regional innovation success are the new financing models that are emerging. There will be two sessions devoted to discussing these new models along with panels on building organizations that can successfully support Regional Innovation Clusters plus keynotes from notable authorities.

Serving as a Regional Innovation Cluster model, CONNECT has assisted in the formation and development of more than 3,000 companies in the San Diego region and is widely regarded as one of the world's most successful organizations linking inventors and entrepreneurs with the resources they need for commercialization of innovative products in high tech and life sciences.

The program has spurred the development of one of the largest innovation clusters in the world, with well-developed verticals in wireless, software, life sciences, clean tech and action and sports. In addition the region now boasts more than 80 research institutes and emerging clusters in convergence technologies such as mobile health, genomics, bioinformatics, cyber security, energy storage and biofuels.

Session Highlights

Role of Policy: IP, R&D, research funding, regulations and tax incentives

New Financing Models: early stage development, seed, Angel, venture capital, loans, grants, academic partnerships, government-backed ventures, investor tax incentives, distributed partnering, IP-backed financing

Academic Research Institutions: funding, incubators, technology transfer and proof of concept centers

Commercial Organizations Building RICs: translational research centers, business accelerators and commercial incubators

Educational Programming that Works: mentoring, education, networking and recognition programs for entrepreneurs

INNOVATION ENTERTAINMENT

Registration includes attendance to:
December 7 – Innovation Night at the La Jolla Playhouse
Network with 450 leading San Diego life sciences, clean-tech, high tech and communication innovators at the annual Innovation Night at the La Jolla Playhouse, a Tony Award-winning professional non-profit theatre that has sent 18 productions to Broadway. After gourmet food and conversation, enjoy the ground breaking rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar.

December 9 – CONNECT’s Most Innovative New Products Awards Luncheon
CONNECT's largest and most prestigious event, the Most Innovative New Product "MIP" Awards are to San Diego's technology industry what the Academy Awards™ are to Hollywood. In its 24th year, this high profile event attracts more than 800 of San Diego's top business leaders, researchers and capital providers. Of the 140+ companies that vie to be the most innovative new product of the year, 24 make it through the rigorous judging process and only eight walk up to the podium to receive this prestigious honor. On December 9, 2011 find out which innovations will be the next to make a worldwide impact!

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