Greener, Cleaner, Better: Israeli Innovation in Greentech Hosted by American University

Date: February 7, 2012
Time: 9:30 am- 4:30 pm

Join Israeli entrepreneurs and industry experts to learn why the tiny country of Israel has become an innovative market leader in Green technology. (Energy, water and agricultural technology, smart-grid/communications, green IT, power electronics and more)

The conference will highlight three themes: new thinking on green technologies and ecosystems, the unique Israeli success in this sector, and the special regional/political issues.

Location: Abramson Family Founder’s Hall at American University’s LEED-certified School of International Service Building
Fee: Free

Click here for more information and to register.

Entrepreneur Office Hours Hosted by Mtech

Date: February 14, 2012
Time: 10:00 am- 12:00 pm

Get answers now from experienced entrepreneurs and legal/business professionals on how to build a successful startup company. Receive free and impartial advice, brainstorm business strategies, investigate funding opportunities and learn about the vast resources available to entrepreneurs

Location: Room 1103, Technology Advancement Program building, Univeristy of Maryland
Fee: Free

Click here for more information and to register.

USPTO Implementation of the America Invents Act Hosted by the Technology Transfer Society, Washington Chapter

Date: February 15, 2012
Time: 12:00 - 2:00 pm

On September 16, 2011, the President signed into law the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (“AIA”), which presents the biggest change to U.S. patent law in 60 years. Beyond shifting the U.S. system from a first-to-invent to a first-to-file system, the AIA significantly overhauls the administrative procedures used to challenge the validity of issued patents. Specifically, the AIA creates two new trial-like proceedings, Post-Grant Review and Inter Partes Review, both of which will be conducted by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, formerly the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences. In addition to those new proceedings, the AIA changes the current U.S. system in other ways by, for example, permitting third parties to submit prior art in pending applications and by allowing patentees to request Supplemental Examination in order to cure any potential inequitable conduct issues.

In order to implement all of these changes, the AIA requires the USPTO to issue new rules, most of which must be final by the September 16, 2012 anniversary date of the AIA. As a result, approximately one dozen significant rulemakings are now underway within the agency. This talk will focus on the most significant of those rulemakings, as well as the scope and conduct of the new Board proceedings.

Location: Southeastern Universities Research Association, 1201 New York Ave. NW, Suite 430, Washington, DC 20005
Fee: Free

Click here for more information and to register.

MARCHING ORDERS: The Military as Customer and Collaborator Hosted by MITEF

Date: February 16, 2012
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Do you know the various branches of the U.S. Military are one of the largest procurers of products and services in the country? Do you realize that if your strategic outreach is limited to commercial and civilian customers, you also limit your chances of success and survival? From high-tech to biotech, from cybersecurity to healthcare, the military is interested in what you have to offer. It serves a pivotal role for technology companies. Even in these times of federal budget cuts, DoD, DHS, HHS, and other agencies, will still be awarding billions of dollars in contracts and grants to further their various missions. However, companies often seem daunted and intimidated by the size and complexity of the military, and need guidance on how to approach the different offerors. February's MITEF event will provide a highly valuable opportunity to learn and discuss the various funding mechanisms available, speak about technology transfer, and gain insight into partnering with our Armed Forces.

Location: 9601 Medical Center Drive, Rockville MD 20850. Room 106 in Academic and Research (A&R) Building on Johns Hopkins University Montgomery County Campus. Use Broschart Road entrance to avoid construction.
Fee: $40

Click here for more information and to register.

SBIR Proposal Prep -- National Science Foundation (NSF) Focus Hosted by CIT

Date: February 23, 2012
Time: 9:00 am- 5:00 pm

This one day seminar presents the nuts and bolts of crafting a SBIR/STTR proposal to the National Science Foundation. The session provides detailed instruction on proposal preparation, includes an overview of the submission process, and discusses the importance of a sound commercialization strategy as part of an NSF application. Core principles of preparing fundable SBIR/STTR proposals are stressed.

Location: Center for Innovative Technology, 2214 Rock Hill Rd, Herndon, VA 20170
Fee: Virginia Based Tech Firms: $85, Non-Virginia Based Tech Firms: $150

Click here for more information and to register.