SSTI Digest

SSTI’s 12th Annual Conference is made possible by the support of our lead host sponsor, NorTech, a team of Ohio co-hosts, and the generous support of our national conference sponsors. SSTI extends its appreciation and thanks to the following exemplary organizations serving as our national sponsors: Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation Greater Oklahoma City Chamber GSP Consulting National Centers of Excellence (NCOE) Ben Franklin Technology Partners Georgia Research Alliance Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Maine Technology Institute (MTI)

State, regional and university technology-based economic development (TBED) is at a crossroads. Many initiatives are celebrating major chronologic milestones at the same time new TBED elements – such as incubators, grant programs, research parks, and equity funds – are popping up almost daily in more and more communities and universities.   Still a rapidly growing field, TBED practitioners and stakeholders are asking, “Where do we go from here?” The economy is changing ­ so are the challenges facing scientists, technologists, innovators and entrepreneurs. To stay ahead, every element of a regional innovation support system must become smarter and more efficient.   But how? We will have answers at SSTI’s 12th Annual Conference this fall. Our most complete conference yet, the premiere professional development experience for the community of organizations promoting innovation and entrepreneurship keeps getting better! Just look:

Each year, SSTI members assemble timely, relevant session topics offering practical information with lessons that can be directly applied to issues currently facing the TBED community. Rest assured that when you return from the conference, you will be equipped with fresh ideas to tackle your organization’s most pressing needs. SSTI uses a two-stage survey process during the summer months to develop the conference agenda, rather than having the agenda set by invitation or call for papers many months in advance. Given the breadth and diversity of interests and perspectives among SSTI’s membership, the slate of sessions is assured to offer more than one topic of interest for nearly every component of the TBED community.    Back by popular demand this year, SSTI is offering two full- and two half-day pre-conference sessions. This is your opportunity to learn what is working across the country to transform regional economies through science, technology and innovation. A separate registration fee is required to attend the pre-conference sessions.  

Keeping with the underlying theme of "Where Does TBED Go from Here?" for SSTI's 12th Annual Conference, David Wilhelm, founder and President of Woodland Venture Management, will provide the keynote address on the topic of making successful VC investments anywhere.

SSTI will be holding its first poster session dedicated entirely to celebrating why states, regions, universities and related organizations engage in TBED. Our goal is to have the best achievements in the field on display as posters at the conference. Each poster will profile a real success story providing hard evidence of how TBED investments are sustaining the nation’s position as a global leader for innovation and competitiveness – one local or regional project at a time. Poster session information can be found at: http://www.ssticonference.org/Conf08/posters.htm  

Most Digest readers know access to equity capital serves a critical role in encouraging regional innovation. But the stats on venture capital (VC) deals demonstrates all too well that money isn't flowing freely everywhere. The economy also is presenting challenges for equity deals, making exits more scarce. How can underserved areas attract early-, seed and late-stage capital?

Keeping with the underlying theme of "Where Does TBED Go from Here?" for SSTI's 12th annual conference, we are quite excited to announce David Wilhelm, founder and President of Woodland Venture Management, will provide the keynote address on the topic of making successful VC investments anywhere.

Entrepreneurship education courses continue to appear across the country. A large-scale commitment was announced recently, as eight Arkansas two-year colleges will offer degrees and certificates in entrepreneurship this fall. The broad availability is expected to help create a culture of entrepreneurship that extends from regions capitalizing in the emerging fields of bioscience and nanotechnology research to the rural pockets of the state in need of high-paying jobs.   Last month, the curriculum was approved by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, prompting eight of the state’s 22 community and technical colleges to join a consortium with two additional schools seeking approval in October to begin implementing the curriculum. The degree option is for an Applied Associates Degree in Business Management or a stand-alone certificate in Entrepreneurship.  

Four leading members of the technology-based economic development community were elected to the State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI) board of trustees today, each bringing fresh perspective and unique insight on issues affecting SSTI’s nationwide network of policymakers and practitioners working to improve state and regional economies through science, technology and innovation.   The four will join SSTI’s existing nine trustees in providing strategic guidance and oversight for the organization’s 39 state sponsors and 148 affiliates and supporters. Representing government, higher education and industry sectors, the new appointees are:

The full-color, full-conference brochure will hit the streets next week but we wanted to give Digest readers the first peek at what promises to be a very special event for the technology-based economic development (TBED) community. SSTI’s 12th Annual Conference will be held Oct. 14-16, 2008, at the Intercontinental Hotel Cleveland.

Being associated with the premiere professional development event of the year for the nation's technology-based economic development community can yield tremendous returns for your company, organization or program. Exposure and unrivaled networking opportunities are presented through SSTI's annual conference -- broadening the reach and deepening the impact of your marketing dollars. Last year’s sold-out conference included more than 350 representatives from 48 states and four countries. Sponsorship opportunities exist to let professional attendees know that your organization is actively involved in innovation and tech-based economic development.

Last week, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland signed an executive order that immediately allows all U.S. veterans eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill, their spouses, and their dependents to enroll at in-state tuition rates at Ohio’s public colleges and universities. Titled the Ohio GI Promise, the policy effectively allows all U.S. veterans to attend college for free in Ohio, once the new federal GI bill goes into effect on Aug. 1, 2009.

Ohio law gives the Chancellor of the state’s system of higher education the ability to determine which students can be deemed residents of Ohio. As outlined in Gov. Strickland’s executive order, all veterans along with their spouses and children who decide to live in Ohio to attend the state’s public colleges and universities will effectively be considered Ohio residents eligible for the reduced tuition rates. Other components of the executive order include:

Steve Bazinet has been hired as executive director of the Maine Center for Enterprise Development.

Rahindra Bose is Ohio University's new vice president for research and creative activity and dean of the graduate college.

David Fouts was selected as the next president and chief executive of MAGNET, the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network. Fouts replaces Fatima Weathers, who served for a year as acting president.

Denichiro Otsuga was named the first director of technology transfer at South Dakota State University.

Harris Pastides was selected to replace Andrew Sorensen as University of South Carolina system president. Sorenson retired after six years at the helm.