Ever wondered how you can make a profit off an idea that you love? How to fund your startup? Or when you should patent or commercialize your idea?
We’ve got you covered!
Ian McClure, Assistant Vice President of Research and Innovation and Economic Impact Executive Director at the University of Kentucky, and Evan Knowles, co-founder of Symba and Middle Tech, will be speaking on these topics at the SOAR FOCUS Summit.
The FOCUS Summit, presented by Kentucky Power, is a two-day event focused on entrepreneurship and innovation that will take place in Hazard on June 23- 24 at the First Federal Center on the campus of Hazard Community and Technical College.
Learn from an expert on commercialization and patents
Ian McClure is the Associate Vice President for Research (AVPR), Innovation and Economic Impact and Executive Director for UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky (UK). He leads efforts to translate UK discoveries for the public good, seeking equitable returns on UK intellectual property. He also leads efforts to establish innovative approaches to develop, fund, and support opportunities for near-stage research.
McClure will speak prior to the Startup Appalachia Pitch Competition, presented by Community Trust Bancorp, on June 23. He’ll share information about patents and commercialization and how the university is working to support such efforts in Eastern Kentucky.
Named one of the World’s Leading IP Strategists by IAM Magazine every year since 2012, McClure has been published extensively. Topics include intersection of IP, business process, and corporate governance.
From college drop out to financial master
Evan Knowles has been in the software and technology space since his freshman year of college when he and some friends built a company called FinanceU in their dorm rooms.
After FinanceU, Evan dropped out of college before his junior year to help take Fooji to market and build a team. With a focus on sales, Evan helped Fooji grow its revenue from 0 to $10+ million in three years by building key relationships and accounts with brands like Twitter, Google, HBO, Fox, Viacom, Turner Broadcasting, Unilever, and Kellogg’s.
Along the way, he moved to Los Angeles to open a sales office and helped Fooji earn an Emmy nomination for one of the campaigns he pitched to HBO for their show Silicon Valley. It was while he was at Fooji when Evan began to invest in real estate and realized how far behind the space was technologically so he and Ryan began talking about ways to bring modern technology to the industry.
Evan is also co-founder of the media company Middle Tech and co-hosts a podcast that brings attention to startups and technology.
Lock in your seat today!!
We are so excited to have Ian McClure and Evan Knowles join us to discuss funding your business, commercialization, and patents. All important components to beginning your business!
We’d love to see you in Hazard as we focus on entrepreneurship and innovation!
Registration is just $35! It’s all inclusive and includes:
- All Programming, Presented by Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky
- The SOAR Focus Summit Reception, Presented By KY Innovation and Entertainment Sponsored By Perry Distributors
- Startup Appalachia Pitch Competition, Presented by Community Trust Bancorp
- Breakfast (Sponsored by Perry County Tourism) and Lunch (Sponsored by KY Innovation) on June 24
Stay tuned for more speaker and breakout session announcements soon.
In the meantime, check out our updated agenda and register now!