IUPUI Innovation to Enterprise Forum & Showcase set for Nov. 19 : Newscenter : IUPUI

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IUPUI Innovation to Enterprise Forum & Showcase set for Nov. 19

Oct. 28, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS -- The IUPUI Office of Vice Chancellor for Research and the Indiana University Research and Technology Corp. will host the 2013 IUPUI Innovation to Enterprise Forum & Showcase on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

This event will bring together key players from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Indianapolis-area business community -- researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and corporate executives -- to explore the challenges and opportunities faced in taking the fruits of academic research and translating these into products. The Innovation to Enterprise Forum & Showcase will provide an opportunity for attendees to network with IUPUI research faculty on their research and commercial development goals.

Location: IUPUI Campus Center, Room 450 A & B, 420 University Blvd.
Time: 4 to 6:15 p.m.
Cost: Free of charge, open to public. RSVPs are requested.

The program will include a panel discussion on “Lessons Learned” in founding a business, led by local entrepreneurs George Farra, co-founder and principal of Woodley Farra Manion Portfolio Management Inc., a registered investment advisory firm with nearly $600 million in assets under management serving over 500 clients; and Stanley Bentley, who helped start Diversified Systems, a vertically integrated electronics manufacturing firm.

Farra co-founded Woodley Farra Manion Portfolio Management with Don Woodley in 1995. He serves as a portfolio manager and research analyst, and he is chairman of the research committee.

A chartered financial analyst, Farra has more than 31 years of experience in investment management and financial analysis, with prior experience including positions as senior vice president, Trust Investment Advisors Inc.; vice president, INB National Bank, now JP Morgan Chase Bank; and senior vice president, Ryan, Beck & Co., an investment banking firm. Farra also serves as a volunteer for several civic boards and professional organizations.

Bentley is a registered professional engineer and senior technical advisor for DIVSYS International. He began his career with Ransburg Corp. before helping to start Diversified Systems, which grew from 11 employees to over 500 in a 20-year period.

Bentley has a vast amount of technical skill and holds numerous patents. He has written several publications. In addition, he has a strong reputation of focusing on customers and employees first. He was honored in 1986 as Indiana’s Businessman of the Year. He continues as a consultant with DIVSYS International and is a member of various councils and boards.

Following the forum discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with several of IUPUI’s distinguished faculty scholars as they present their research and explore opportunities for business development and collaboration -- with projects including innovations in health care and therapeutics, information technology and digital innovation.

Program agenda: