Innovation Week begins with technology showcase

NextCorps starts its Innovation Week with the Innovation Showcase powered by AT&T, the first in a series of entrepreneur-focused events.

Beginning at 4:00 p.m. at NextCorps, local entrepreneurs from NextCorps’ startup incubator, Monroe County’s the Entrepreneur’s Network, RIT’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and its Venture Creations, and Cornell’s Tech Farm will display their technology innovations. Keynote speakers from the University of Rochester will share how they’re “Building Virtual Reality Concert Halls with Immersive 3D Sound”, and AT&T will speak to mobile trends. A small business-pitch round and a networking reception will follow. To register for the free event, go here.

The Rochester Innovation Week will be held in conjunction with Global Entrepreneurship Week, which was started in 2008 as a way to bring attention to those who are impacting the world, creating jobs, and improving human welfare. NextCorps’ Innovation Week is being made possible through support from AT&T, and event partnership with Greater Rochester Enterprise.

Other events this week include:

• Luminate NY Lightning Rounds—Nov. 13, from 9:00 a.m.-5 p.m., and Nov. 14 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at NextCorps. Twenty of the most promising optics, photonics, and imaging (OPI) companies from around the world will pitch their technology innovations in hopes of becoming a part of Cohort II of Luminate NY— the world’s only international startup accelerator for OPI-enabled applications. Throughout the day and a half, competing companies will also attend panel discussions on topics, including:  Rochester-Rich OPI Resources, Funding Opportunities in Upstate NY, Perceptions from Luminate Cohort I Winners, and Growing OPI Companies in New York. The Lightning Rounds and panels are by invitation only.
• Luminate NY Lightning Awards—Nov. 14, from 4:00-8p.m.at the Dryden Theatre, George Eastman Museum. More than 500 people are expected to turn out to watch visiting startups participate in the Lightning Awards Competition. Ten companies will secure a spot in Cohort II of Luminate NY, and receive a $100,000 investment. Attendees will have the chance to visit the museum and see antique optics and imaging equipment. Luminate NY is an Empire State Development Finger Lakes Forward Investment. To register for the free event, go here.
• Hardware Scaleup Program Kick-Off—Nov. 15 and Nov. 16, from 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. at NextCorps. This new program, funded by NYSERDA, provides clean energy startups with the hands-on support and resources to successfully scale their hardware technologies from prototype to mass production. The 18-month program will kick off with a two-day orientation, starting with education on manufacturing readiness levels. Startups moving into the manufacturing stage can attend some program sessions. If interested, contact NextCorps here.
• Rochester Young Professionals 8th Annual Entrepreneur Expo—Nov. 15, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at NextCorps. More than 40 entrepreneurs, startups, small business owners and non-profit leaders will be on hand to share their talents, showcase their businesses and forge new connections with those in the Rochester community.  To register for the free event, go here. Professionals interested in tabling at the event can register here.
• Maker Faire—Nov. 16 (Student STEAM Fest from 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.) and Nov. 17 (9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.) at The Rochester Convention Center. Maker Faireis a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these “makers” to show hobbies, experiments, projects, and budding businesses. NextCorps will be tabling at the event both days. For tickets, go here.

Need more information? Visit https://nextcorps.org/rochester-innovation-week-2018/.