Ag Biotech Entrepreneurs to Showcase Tech

Fifth Annual Ag Biotech Entrepreneurial Showcase Set for May 10-11

The North Carolina Biotechnology Center scoured the planet for some of the world’s most innovative crop and animal-health companies to present at the fifth annual Ag Biotech Entrepreneurial Showcase this spring in Research Triangle Park.

Paul Ulanch, executive director of NCBiotech’s Biotechnology Crop Commercialization Center, contacted more than 400 university technology transfer offices, life science incubators and life science economic development agencies across the globe to solicit company applications. 

The application deadline was Jan. 27, so a panel of reviewers will now select the 12 best companies to present their businesses at the Showcase. The entrepreneur delivering the best presentation will take home a cash prize and some valuable third-party validation to show investors, partners and potential hires.

“Last year’s selected best presentation was delivered by a company from Portugal, and this year I’ve received applications from companies in Norway and Australia,” Ulanch says. “Many North Carolina companies are also in the mix."

As with the previous four Showcases, this year’s version will feature a keynote speaker, panel presentations and networking opportunities at a reception, breakfast and lunch. The 2017 event will include two notable changes, however.

For the first time, the Showcase will be held over two half-days instead of one full day, beginning at 1 p.m. on May 10 and concluding after lunch on May 11.

“As we’ve opened the doors to broader participation (beyond North Carolina), we realized a single-day format may not be ideal for out-of-state travelers,” Ulanch explains. 

The second change will be the addition of an online one-on-one partnering tool allowing attendees to establish meetings with one another and share business information. 

The Showcase, organized by NCBiotech, will be held at the Biotech Center's Hamner Conference Center at 15 T.W. Alexander Drive in Research Triangle Park.

Sponsors to date include Alexandria Real Estate Equities, the law firms Smith Anderson  and MBHB, architect/engineering firm Clark Nexsen, and accounting firm HPG.

Additional Showcase program information will be announced in coming weeks. Registration is now open.

About 150 people representing over 100 companies, universities and other organizations attended last year’s Showcase.

Barry Teater, NCBiotech Writer
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