CSIT To Collaborate on Virtual Conference Spotlighting Opportunities for NJ’s Innovation Economy During Covid-19

TRENTON, N.J. (September 9, 2020) – The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) today announced it will collaborate with the Rutgers EcoComplex in hosting a virtual conference on October 14 and 15, 2020 to highlight resources and opportunities available to members of the Garden State’s innovation economy during COVID-19. Leaders from New Jersey government, industry, academia, and the investment community will focus on strategies for accelerating innovation as the state begins to emerge from the pandemic. The event is open to the public and information can be found at https://csitcovid19-opportunities.eventbrite.com.

Planning Committee members include representatives from Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers EcoComplex, Rutgers Business School, Princeton Entrepreneurship Council and TechLaunch. Panelists include key players from the NJ entrepreneurial eco-system: angel investors and venture capitalists, support organizations, trade groups, academic centers, government agencies, incubators and accelerators.

“Every one of our participants brings a unique perspective to the conference, which will make for informative and dynamic discussions,” said CSIT Chairman Gunjan Doshi. “Connecting a wide array of industry partners to collaborate on steps forward will help to propel the innovation economy toward a post-COVID-19 landscape.”
Attendees at the two-day event will learn about financial and entrepreneurial resources available to help them weather the pandemic. Panel discussions will center around:

Current Angel and Venture Investing Trends and Opportunities: Seasoned angel and venture capital investors will talk about investment trends and offer tips and insights on ways for emerging companies to attract capital;

Keeping the Innovation State Growing: High-level representatives from the Governor’s Office, the Office of Innovation, BioNJ, Choose NJ, and Tech United will focus on current and future strategies for bolstering New Jersey’s innovation sector, particularly in light of the pandemic;

NJ’s Support for Underrepresented Innovators: Successful founders will discuss how the state is working to fulfill Governor Phil Murphy’s vision to create the most diverse and inclusive innovation ecosystem in the nation despite the hurdles presented by COVID-19. This panel will be moderated by New Jersey’s Chief Diversity Officer Hester Agudosi;

Academic Innovation – Strong as Ever: Key members of academia will showcase New Jersey’s vibrant academic innovation scene and the role it plays in the fight against the pandemic.

Innovators Panel: Surviving and Thriving During Covid-19: Led by CSIT Executive Director Judith Sheft, this panel will include a discussion by founders about ways they are leveraging available resources designed to support members of the innovation economy during this unprecedented time. A copy of the full agenda can be found at https://csitcovid19-opportunities.eventbrite.com.

Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker, who chairs the Assembly Science Innovation and Technology Committee and is a member of CSIT, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address on October 15.

Zwicker noted that before and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, CSIT has been instrumental in helping startups and emerging innovation-focused companies connect with the funding they need to grow in New Jersey.

In August 2018, Governor Murphy signed legislation re-establishing the former New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology as the CSIT. Comprised of representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as academia, the Commission is tasked with leading the way in promoting the state as a home for academic and technological research, development, and commercialization.

To learn more about state resources available to New Jersey entrepreneurs and early-stage companies, visit https://www.njeda.gov/tls or follow @NewJerseyEDA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.