November 2005
Spokane STRT: Serving up Science & Technology for Breakfast in Eastern Washington Beginning January 2006
Expanding upon the model of its successful Seattle-based Science & Technology Roundtable program, the Technology Alliance will offer its signature menu of science and technology for breakfast to the eastern side of the state for the first time with the new Spokane STRT. The program, which is being produced in collaboration with the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research, will hold its first breakfast on January 6, 2006.
Spokane STRT will offer members the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge research being conducted at Washington institutions coupled with breakfast and networking in an intimate setting.
“STRT brings together business and community leaders representing a variety of sectors and builds a shared understanding of the vital contributions – to our economy, to humankind – made by our research industry,” observed Spokane STRT chair Tom Simpson, TA board member and managing partner at Northwest Venture Associates. “The burgeoning interest in the Seattle-based program convinced us that the program should be duplicated, and where better than Spokane, another of our state’s hotbeds of innovation. We at the TA are extremely proud to offer STRT in eastern Washington, in keeping with our statewide focus and mission.”
The inaugural season of Spokane STRT opens on January 6 with a presentation by Dr. Len Peters, Director of the Battelle/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Confirmed speakers for the duration of the program include:
- February 3 : Dr. Yogendra Gupta, Director of the Institute for Shock Physics at Washington State University;
- March 3 : Dr. Bassem Bejjani, Co-Founder and Medical Director of Spokane-based Signature Genomic Laboratories; and,
- May 5 : Dr. Edward Lazowska, Bill & Melinda Gates Chair in Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington.
Breakfasts will be held 7:30 am – 9:00 am on the first Friday of every month from January through May at the Davenport Hotel in downtown Spokane. The full season membership fee is $135. Registration is available online, or contact Bryan Chee or (206) 389-7259.
Support the first season of Spokane STRT – be a sponsor!
For more information on sponsorship packages and benefits, contact Laurie Hassell of the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research at lhassell@nwabr.org or (206) 465-4691.
Highlights from the 2005 Technology Institute
The Technology Alliance gathered leaders from state government, business and research institutions for its fifth biennial Technology Institute in September. The purpose of the two-day retreat is to examine, in depth, policy issues affecting Washington’s technology sector. Focusing on the theme, “Realizing the Promise of Innovation,” 2005 Institute participants explored ways in which Washington can capitalize on its world-class research assets to foster commercialization and new company creation for a thriving technology-based economy in our state.
Breakfast, the Most Important Meal of the Day: The 2005-06 Seattle Season of the Science & Technology Roundtable
Schedule of Speakers:
- December 9, 2005: Bob Moore, Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research
- January 13, 2006: John Bransford, James W. Mifflin University Professor of Education, University of Washington
- February 10, 2006: Patrick Duffy, Director, Malaria Antigen Discovery Program, Seattle Biomedical Research Institute
- March 10, 2006: Andrew Meltzoff, Job & Gertrud Tamaki Endowed Chair, Professor of Psychology and Co-Director, Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, University of Washington
Click for the entire schedule and a special offer!
Taking It to the Next Level: TA Launches New Pilot Program to Mentor Promising Young Technology Companies
Seeking to leverage the Alliance of Angels process and go one step further in supporting innovative young companies, the Technology Alliance has launched an exciting new pilot project in the Puget Sound region, the TA Mentor Network, designed to connect post-funded companies with mentors to help propel them to the next stage of growth.
The Turbulence of the Economic Downturn Behind Them, Angels Are Flying High Once Again
A chill is in the air, but the Alliance of Angels is heating up: deal activity in the Pacific Northwest’s premier angel group has steadily increased since 2002.