Category: Events

Husky Innovate is hosting innovation-themed events during Week 2 (Jan. 17-20) of the spring semester. Innovation Week celebrates innovation and entrepreneurship by hosting speakers and events to inspire and support innovation and entrepreneurship. These events are a great way to connect with alumni, students, faculty and the community.

Check the Innovation Week webpage for full event descriptions. Pre-registration is required for each event. Join us for one event or several!

Keynote Speaker: Leading Innovation with Charles Nwatu — Tuesday, Jan. 17, 4-5 p.m. via Zoom

Our keynote speaker, Charles Nwatu, head of security technology assurance and risk at Netflix, will kick off Innovation Week by discussing how diverse perspectives lead to innovation. He will share his journey as an intrapreneur developing innovative solutions within a company, and how his mindset has led to an impactful Silicon Valley career at LinkedIn, Twilio, Stitch Fix and now Netflix.
Register now — Deadline: Jan. 13

New Venture Creation with Eric Roberts — Wednesday, Jan. 18, noon to 1 p.m., MUB Ballroom A 

Eric Roberts, MTU alum and executive director of Traverse City business incubator 20Fathoms, has spent a long, diverse career innovating in spaces from Silicon Valley tech start-ups to mobile giants like Motorola and Blackberry. He will talk entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, and share experiences with launching new ventures (both successful and unsuccessful). Tips and strategies will be offered for all types of innovators.
Register now — Deadline: Jan. 15

Reverse Pitch Presentation with Nate Yenor — Thursday, Jan. 19, noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom 

Nate Yenor, director of tech business incubation with the Office of Innovation and Commercialization at Michigan Tech, will report on applied research’s top teams poised to launch their innovation into a start-up. Teams may be looking for talent, champions and industry-specific advice during this reverse-pitch event. Interesting and valuable for innovators, entrepreneurs and MTU community members who want to know what’s new and innovative at Tech. Make connections and support our innovation and entrepreneurship community!
Register now — Deadline: Jan. 17

15th Bob Mark Business Model Pitch Competition — Thursday, Jan. 19, 5-7:30 p.m., MUB Ballroom A 

Michigan Tech graduate and undergraduate students will pitch their business model for a chance to win cash prizes. This legacy event is a tribute to late Professor of Practice Bob Mark. Faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community are invited to attend in person or virtually. Refreshments will be served and a pre-event mixer will begin at 4:30 p.m.

Student contestants: Register now — Deadline: Jan. 13

Attendees: Register now to attend remotely

Financing Your Venture Panel Discussion — Friday, Jan. 20, noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom

Hear what investors look for when deciding whether to invest in your company — during both early-stage commercialization and late-stage buy-outs. Experts will share real-world experiences and insight into how investment decisions are made. This talk is helpful for anyone interested in commercializing their venture or for investors who want to hone their skills. Panelists John Rockwell (CEO and president, Accelergy Corporation) and Jeff Helminski (co-founder and managing partner, Auxo Investment Partners) are both Tech alumni and successful venture capitalists, and they will share their insight into venture financing.
Register now — Deadline: Jan. 18 

Husky Innovate collaborators, Pavlis Honors College, the College of Business and the Office of Innovation and Commercialization invite Michigan Tech graduate and undergraduate students from across campus disciplines to pitch their business model to a panel of judges for a chance to win cash prizes in the Bob Mark Business Model Pitch Competition. 

Our judges represent Michigan Tech’s innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) ecosystem — their expertise will provide helpful feedback for students to move their ideas forward. 

This legacy event recognizing student entrepreneurial spirit and paying tribute to the late Professor of Practice Bob Mark will be held Jan. 19 from 5-7:30 p.m. in MUB Ballroom A. Faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community are invited to attend in person or virtually. Refreshments will be served. In addition, a pre-event mixer will begin at 4:30 p.m.

Bob Mark Business Model Pitch Competition prize categories:

• First Prize: $2,000 — sponsored by Rick and Jo Berquist
• Second Prize: $1,000
• Third Prize: $500
• Honorable Mention: $250
• Audience Favorite: $250 — sponsored by Dan Green (MTU alum and principal, BlackFin Group)
• Breakthrough Innovation Award: $1,000 — sponsored by MTEC SmartZone and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation
• Social Impact Award: $1,000 — sponsored by Gates Professor Elham Asgari (COB)

Student contestants can register to pitch their business model through Friday (Jan. 13).

Virtual attendees, please register to watch the event remotely.