Extreme Science and its Entrepreneurial Opportunities
The next decade will see a renewed focus on extreme science, the realm of PhDs, exotic instrumentation, complex intellectual property, and lengthy clinical trials. Call it Sci-Tech rather than Hi-Tech. In this strange new world, where are the business opportunities for venturists and entrepreneurs?
On the 10th anniversary of the White House report that led to America's National Nano Initiative, MIT Enterprise Forum presents a panel of three exciting and very different start-up ventures that exploit molecular materials engineering across an array of markets.
COME EARLY and hear in the same room a keynote address by Dr. LEROY HOOD, Founder of the Institute for Systems Biology, to attendees of the 2009 Nanotechnology Health and Safety Forum who will be joining us. And please consider joining them for their 2-day conference at the Edgewater (see details below).
MIT Enterprise Forum (starting from 7:00 pm) panelists include:
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Bart Norton, Director of Sales at Redmond-based Asemblon, using molecular self-assembly to fabricate and efficiently tailor unique catalytic chemicals to enhance material processing in a variety of industries.
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Chris Wheaton, Chief Operating & Financial Officer of Seattle-based ENERG2, developing innovative energy storage solutions based on proprietary nano-structured carbon materials that are finely controlled and offer ultra-high surface areas.
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Christina Lomasney, CEO and Founder of Seattle-based Modumetal, pioneering thin-film nano-laminate metallurgy techniques that grow metal parts through greener manufacturing to develop high-performance materials for industrial, maritime, aerospace and automotive applications.
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Moderator: John Martin, MIT Alumnus and former Director of the Washington State Nanotechnology Initiative; collaborator, 2009 Nano Health and Safety Forum (NHSF) and WA / ORE Micro / Nano Breakthrough Conference (MNBC).
Reception starts at 5:30 pm. MITEF program starts at 7:00 pm. $30 registration includes hors d'oeuvre reception and admission to NHSF Keynote Address by Dr. Leroy Hood.
Biographies
BARTON F. NORTON, Director of Sales, Asemblon Inc.
Bart is an inventor, entrepreneur and high-technology product development specialist. Asemblon’s hydrogen storage technology was recently honored by the United States Department of Energy with an Energy Innovator Award. Bart holds BS and Master of Electrical Engineering Degrees from Cornell University and an MBA from Carnegie-Mellon University. Bart’s career includes innovations in digital diagnostic imaging and factory automation and robotics. Bart invented the world’s first digitally-controlled motion picture projector, the KLIR, that was sold to Siemens of Germany. In the 1990’s, Bart brought two high-technology start-ups from less than a million sales to over $14M in sales and liquidity for their owners. Bart is involved in the fields of biotechnology and nanotechnology. Bart was a key player in raising $63 million for CombiMatrix in Mukilteo.
CHRIS WHEATON, Chief Operating & Financial Officer, EnerG2, Inc.
With a breadth of technology operations experience spanning a variety of industries, Chris manages EnerG2’s manufacturing strategy, market development and financial planning efforts and has also led the company’s grant acquisition programs. Prior to co-founding EnerG2, Chris served as VP of North American Operations for Loudcloud, an outsourced services provider for enterprise-class IT operations. To finish his work at Loudcloud, Chris led the $65 million spinout and successful integration of his division into EDS. He has also provided product line management for a variety of technology delivery start-ups in industries ranging from telecommunications to medical devices. Chris received a BA from Northwestern University and an MBA from Stanford.
CHRISTINA LOMASNEY, CEO and Founder, Modumetal
Christina has worked in the research, development and commercialization of advanced materials technologies for over a decade, starting at The Boeing Company, where she served in engineering roles including in Phantomwork’s advanced metals manufacturing department. In 2001, Christina co-founded Isotron Corporation, a nanotech polymer composites company, which today holds a portfolio of commercial products for environmental cleanup and national defense. Christina led the Isotron team directly for over 6 years, growing the company's revenue base and technology portfolio, and realizing the Company’s first commercial products. She is currently executive Chairman of Isotron Corporation. Christina holds a BS in Physics from the University of Washington, where she has completed studies towards a MS in Applied Physics. She has published and is named inventor on several pending patents involving large-scale environmental remediation and advanced materials applications.
JOHN C. MARTIN, Jr. - Moderator
John is former head of the Washington Nanotechnology Initiative at WTC and currently member of the organizing team for the new Clean Tech Open business competition, John has over 25 years experience in business development with hi-tech companies including defense-electronics, industrial robotics, minicomputers, cellular infrastructure and SaaS ventures. John is also an advisor to Boucher Lensch Associates investment bankers in Silicon Valley. John is a graduate of the MIT Sloan Management School as well as UW, serves on the Board of the MIT Enterprise Forum Northwest, and has been a lead organizer of both our partner event - the 2009 Nano Health and Safety Forum - and the MicroNano Breakthrough Conferences of 2008 and 2006 in the Portland/Vancouver area.
