More than 140 aspiring inventors, as well as those interested in technological entrepreneurship, attended Invention 2 Venture, a one-day workshop hosted by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI). Attendees listened to a wide-range of presentations from both industry and academic leaders. Some of the topics included how to become a tech entrepreneur, how to sell your innovations and how to attract investors.

UCF Vice President of Research and Commercialization (ORC) M.J. Soileau, Ph.D., was the keynote speaker and Brandon Lojewski, president of Mesdi Systems, Inc. served as the moderator. Other speakers:

  • Ed Alexander, founder and attorney of Entrepreneurship Law Firm
  • Cameron Ford, Ph.D., founding director of the CEI
  • Ace Glenn, chief executive officer, Better Ways to Study
  • Gordon Hogan, director of operations, UCF Incubation Program
  • Qun Huo, president, Nano Discovery, Inc.
  • Derrick Meer, president of Via Response Technologies
  • David Odom, principal of Arsenal Venture Partners
  • Michael O’Donnell, executive in residence, CEI and ORC
  • Tom O’Neal, Ph.D., associate vice president, ORC
  • Michael Picard, senior vice president, PNC Business Credit
  • Svetlana Shtrom, Ph.D., director of technology commercialization, UCF
  • Andrea Wesser, business development manager, UCF/Orange County Venture Lab

    • The CEI hosts numerous workshops, speakers and competitions throughout the academic year. View photos from the event.