Yale Bulletin and Calendar

April 5, 2002

Volume 30, Number 24

Innovative entrepreneurs to speak at YES summit

The Yale Entrepreneurial Society (YES) is bringing together 23 of the world's foremost authorities in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, nanocomputing, bioterrorism and biotechnology, intellectual property, environmental regulation and education to discuss cutting-edge developments in those fields.

YES will host its first Innovation Summit Friday-Saturday, April 19-20, at the University. The summit -- which is free for all students as well as non-students who register before Friday, April 12 -- will be an intensive two days of panels, workshops and lectures by pioneers and innovators in their respective fields.

"The summit provides a unique experience for members of the Yale and New Haven community to interact with some of the most creative and forward-thinking entrepreneurs, technologists, academics, senior executives and philosophers," says YES president Julian Revie '02. "We've had a tremendous response so far -- Yale alumni throughout the country have registered to attend, as well as entrepreneurs and students from all over the East Coast."

Highlighting the event will be keynote addresses by John Pepper, chair of Proctor & Gamble; Tom Okarma, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Geron; Anthony Perkins, founder and chair of Red Herring Communications; and Bill Drayton, founder and CEO of Ashoka.

"Our speakers are true leaders in their fields who will discuss cutting-edge technologies and developments in a wide range of topics," adds Oleg Elkhunovich '02, chair of the Innovation Summit, which organizers hope will become an annual event.

Friday's "Nanotechnology" featuring James Murday, a superintendent of the chemistry division at the Naval Research Laboratory, James F. Klemic from Yale Professor Mark Reed's research group and Josh Wolfe, a leading venture capitalist is just one example "of bringing research and business together," says Elkhunovich.

Noting that YES has already sponsored successful events in San Francisco, Boston and New York this year, Revie says that the Innovation Summit is an ideal environment for Yale students and faculty to build networks and share ideas with each other and the business community. "It is a great way to become a more informed citizen of New Haven and be a more effective member of the entrepreneurial community," he says.

Michael Morand, associate vice president of New Haven and state affairs, notes: "New Haven is a city on the move, a fact increasingly recognized by students and by leaders such as those coming to present at the summit. The Innovation Summit exemplifies how YES promotes economic development, especially in New Haven. It brings top leaders in private and social enterprises to New Haven and it provides access to cash and services for the best Yale start-ups, many of which will choose to locate here."

The summit will culminate on Saturday with the gala awards ceremony where the winners of the Y50K Entrepreneurship Competition will be announced. The year-long competition gives aspiring entrepreneurs educational, networking and mentorship opportunities and the chance to win a total of $50,000 in start-up money. "The primary objective of the competition is getting great ideas out of the laboratory or dorm room and into the real world," says Amy Jain '04, vice president of public relations for YES.

David Margines '04, director of the Y50K competition, adds, "We have seen a definite increase in the quality of business plans we have received this year. I am optimistic that we will see a successful Yale-led venture come out of this year's competition."

The six winning business plans in the categories of Social Entrepreneurship and For-Profit Entrepreneurship, will be awarded a total of $50,000 in start-up money. In order to be eligible, each entry must include one Yale student, staff or faculty member. In addition to the cash award, winning teams will receive various services to help launch their business, including legal and accounting services, brand development and strategy consulting.

A nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship in the greater Yale community, the Yale Entrepreneurial Society was founded in 1999 by two undergraduate students. Today, with over 1,000 members, YES is Yale's largest student organization. YES supports Yale-led entrepreneurial activities in New Haven and throughout the country, connecting over 1,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, faculty and alumni.

The summit is co-sponsored by ISPS and its Bioethics Project. More information about the YES Innovation Summit is available at www.innovation-summit.com. For more information about YES, contact Julian Revie by phone at (203) 436-1138 or by e-mail at julian.revie@yale.edu; or access the YES website, www.yes.yale.edu.

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Unexplained deaths 'relatively' common in U.S., study says

Counselor to U.S. presidents offers advice to tomorrow's leaders

Chubb Fellowship hosting visit by salsa star Palmieri

Innovative entrepreneurs to speak at YES summit

Journalist to discuss how media portrays issues of faith

Event probes fundamentalist reactions to modernity

Surgeon trustee will give talk to city youths

Yale cosponsoring city school's entry in robotics competition

Yale polo team hosting first Atlantic Cup tournament

Bromley honored by physics society

Yale Rep features noted humorist of Lake Wobegan

AIDS Science Day to highlight Yale, community collaborations

Concert honors memory of composer Druckman

International tribunal is topic of discussion

Yale Opera production is a retelling of Bizet's 'Carmen'

Concert of 'Star Wars' music marks conductor's Yale anniversary

Sitar virtuosa to perform in Woolsey Hall

Conference to explore innovations in study of ancient Aegean

Former director of Holocaust Museum to speak at master's tea

Campus Notes