First Missouri Technology Expo kicks off at MU
COLUMBIA — The first Missouri Technology Expo is coming to MU on Thursday.
The exposition is a networking event for businesses and researchers to help forge connections for future investments and collaborations.
“Our responsibility here is seeing the innovations developed by our researchers have the ability to impact society,” said Chris Fender, director of the MU Office of Technology Management and Industry Relations. “We wanted to create an event to showcase those innovations and bring the right people together.”
Fender’s office is one of four sponsors of Thursday’s event, along with the MU Office of Research, the University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship andColumbia Regional Economic Development Inc.
Stephen Padgette, vice president for biotechnology at Missouri-based Monsanto Co., will deliver the keynote address.
The exposition, which will be held at the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center on Rollins Street, will include more than 25 booths from businesses seeking investors and 30 posters by researchers looking for collaboration and commercialization of their work.
Six businesses will also make 15-minute presentations: Organovo, NEMS/MEMS Works LLC, Verapulse, Advanced Spectroscopic Technologies, Cardialen and Nanoparticle Biochem Inc. Each business was founded on a technology developed by a Missouri university. Some attendees will make short “elevator pitches” on engineering, life sciences and biomedical topics.
Educational seminars on intellectual property and entrepreneurship will also be offered for students.
So far, 250 people are signed up for the event, and more are expected to register at the door Thursday. The registration fee is $30 for those attending the event all day. A parking pass for Virginia Avenue Garage is available for an additional $5.
Students and others from the community may attend sessions for free.
A live stream of the exposition can be viewed at the Missouri Research and Education Network website.
-ASIF LAKHANI
