Media Advisory: Buffalo’s next high-tech entrepreneurs put ideas to the test at Pre-Seed Workshop

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Ten budding entrepreneurs in the life sciences and high-tech fields will evaluate their ideas in a risk-free environment at a Pre-Seed Workshop hosted by the University at Buffalo’s New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences.

Over the course of the workshop, participants will have their ideas vetted and enhanced by teams of business, legal and financial experts, giving them the skills and tools needed to move viable projects forward on the path to commercialization. The workshop culminates with each team pitching its idea to a panel of investors for feedback and evaluation.

Ideas being examined during the program include: a new method of growing microalgae for application in the biofuel market; a system to evaluate clinicians performing robotic surgery; a protein-lipid complex found in breast milk that may reverse antibiotic resistance; and a new model for patient rehabilitation services using next-generation technology.

All activities will take place at UB’s New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences at 701 Ellicott St., Buffalo, and the adjacent Roswell Park Center for Genetics and Pharmacology.

Media are encouraged to contact Kerry Jones Waring at 716-380-7319 to coordinate coverage.

June 12, 2013: Opening Dinner

• 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Remarks by workshop leaders, sponsors and teams
  

June 13, 2013: Workshop Day 1

• 8 a.m.-5 p.m.: Teams will participate in a series of seven breakout sessions on topics including technology-to-market mapping, market needs and the revenue potential of the idea, with the goal of preparing the foundation of a 15-minute presentation to be given on the final day.

June 20, 2013: Workshop Day 2

• 1:30-5 p.m.: Presentation of projects to feedback panel
• 5-6:30 p.m.: Final remarks, reception and networking

The first half of the day includes team building and completing final evaluations of each team's project. In the afternoon, teams will pitch their ideas to and receive feedback from a panel of investors.

The Pre-Seed Workshop 2013 is sponsored by UB’s New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, National Grid, NYSTAR, Hodgson Russ Attorneys, The Research Foundation for SUNY, New York State Energy Development and Research Authority (NYSERDA) and Launch NY.