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01 May 2017
The Optical Society Foundation Announces 2017 Innovation School
1 May 2017
The Optical Society Foundation Announces 2017 Innovation School
Offerings in pitch development, client discovery and concept validation for early-career professionals
WASHINGTON – The Optical Society Foundation (OSAF) invites early-career professionals in the field of optics and photonics to attend The Innovation School at The Optical Society in Washington, D.C. from 23-27 July 2017. The four-day program aims to foster entrepreneurial thinking among early-career professionals with interactive ideation and customer validation exercises. Attendees will also hear informative presentations from serial entrepreneurs in the optics and photonics market.
“The Innovation School will focus on harnessing the entrepreneurial spirit of early-career professionals in a collaborative, experience-focused environment that pushes original thinking and execution to new heights,” said Chad Stark, executive director, The Optical Society Foundation. “In this way, we strive to prepare those new to a corporate environment with a stronger understanding of the culture, methodology and language of the business world. Optics and photonics companies are built on innovation, we want to help them harness this skill in their employees for even greater success.”
Attendees will learn about concept validation, developing and refining pitches, key tools and methodologies for innovation, idea generation and customer discovery. Participants will be organized into teams and challenged to implement what they learn at the Innovation School by producing the best pitch. Teams will present their pitches to a panel of industry experts, innovation leaders and investors.
Facilitated by Georgetown University’s “Entrepreneur-in-Residence” Eric Koester, the Innovation School will feature presentations from veteran optical and photonic entrepreneurs like Lora Allemeier, Ocean Optics, USA; Amy Eskilson, Inrad Optics, USA; and Peter Fendel, Thorlabs, USA.
Registration and Additional Information
The $1,500 US dollar registration fee includes all pre-school preparation, materials, access to all four days of immersive programming and meals. Housing and travel costs are not included.
About The Optical Society Foundation
The Optical Society Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation established by the Optical Society (OSA) in 2002 to carry out charitable activities that support the society’s mission of promoting the generation, application, archiving and worldwide dissemination of knowledge in optics and photonics. The Foundation helps cultivate the next generation of leaders and innovators in the optics and photonics community as they move through advanced degree programs and become active members of research, engineering and business communities around the globe. The Foundation also works to secure OSA Awards and Honors program endowments. For more information, visit osa.org/foundation.
About The Optical Society
Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional organization for scientists, engineers, students and entrepreneurs who fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate achievements in the science of light. Through world-renowned publications, meetings and membership initiatives, OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of optics and photonics experts. For more information, visit: osa.org.
Media Contacts
mediarelations@osa.org
