March 9th, 2017–Philadelphia
Contact: Laurie Actman, Chief Marketing, Communications & Program Officer, Penn Center for Innovation, lactman@upenn.edu, 215-573-198
The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) will be highlighting some of its technology, start ups and innovation assets at the SXSW Interactive Tradeshow in Austin, TX from March 12th – 15th. Penn is one of the sponsors of a joint delegation with Philly Startup Leaders (PSL), showcasing Philadelphia as a national center for innovation and start up activity.
The Penn Center for Innovation (PCI), Penn’s commercialization organization, is coordinating Penn’s presence at the festival which will feature technology demos from Penn start ups, marketing of technology highlights from Penn’s commercialization portfolio, and promotion of Penn’s innovation facilities, such as the Pennovation Center and the Singh Center for Nanotechnology.
John Swartley, Managing Director of PCI commented, “I’m excited that PCI is able to highlight some of our cutting edge start ups and technologies available for partnership at SXSW. We’ve long cultivated a strong marketing presence at conferences focused mainly on the life sciences, so our participation in the SXSW Festival will be a great complement to these efforts and will help us better connect us with the technology community. Positioning Penn as a key partner for companies and Venture Capitalists interested in innovative technology and ideas is an important component of our strategy to facilitate partnerships for commercialization.”
A University priority is highlighting the Pennovation Works, a 23-acre development adjacent to campus, which includes the newly opened Pennovation Center as a true hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in both the life sciences and technology sectors for Penn and the City of Philadelphia. Anne Papageorge, Penn’s Vice President of Facilities and Real Estate Services explained, “The Pennovation Center has been recognized by the international design community as an ideal environment for innovators, researchers, faculty, students, investors and corporate partners to collaborate on growing ideas into new companies. The bigger ecosystem being established at the Pennovation Works includes a variety of affordable and flexible spaces on site, allowing for a successful newco to expand and grow in their anticipated lifecycle, while remaining an active participant in this innovation community. We see this development contributing to the City’s ability to attract and retain talent, new ventures and industry leaders. We are happy to support the delegation making that case in Austin.”
Penn’s regional alumni group based in Austin will also be welcoming the delegation by hosting a pitch session for the Penn companies traveling to the conference. The Austin-based group includes many start up CEOs and Venture Capitalists who are eager to support the ongoing entrepreneurial efforts underway at the University. Walter Kalmans, a Penn alum and a Principal with seed capital fund Lontra Ventures added, “The Penn community opened my eyes to the market as well as life-enhancing opportunities from commercializing the sciences. We are thrilled that Penn is proactively marketing its cutting-edge technology and start ups in our entrepreneurial hub. During SXSW, the Penn start ups will have unparalleled exposure and access to both customers and partnerships. Penn’s commitment to innovation is inspiring.”
Penn-affiliated start ups traveling to participate with the University at SXSW Interactive include:
• COSY
• Biorealize
• Twine
• Keriton
• Neuroflow
• IQinetics
• Ostiio
• CPR Connect
The coordination around the creation of an ecosystem that enables collaboration and experimentation are the hallmarks of a robust innovation economy, translating more ideas and research into the products, ventures, and services that will change the way people everywhere live and thrive.
For those interested in attending this Penn alumni SXSW event, please view the invite here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/innovationpenn-sxsw-happy-hour-tickets-32353751943
For more information on Pennovation Works, go to www.pennovation.upenn.edu.