“Lecture of American investment expert at the Innovation Center KAU”
On April 19, 2019, the Innovation Center KAU, together with the Council of Young Scientists of the NAS of Ukraine, as well as the Council of Young Scientists of NAU, held a lecture and discussion on "Technology Commercialization & Government Sponsorship in the U.S".
The speaker, Alan Lee, leads a team of analysts valuing early-stage startups from New York State universities, including University of Rochester, Cornell Universities and Syracuse University. The investment portfolio, which he manages, covers a variety of disciplines, including medical devices, biotech, advanced manufacturing and financial technologies.
Alan was born in China and received a Bachelor's degree from New York State University, at Binghamton, and a Master's degree in business administration from the University of Rochester.
During the Lecture, the following issues were considered and discussed:
- by what criteria do investors evaluate scientific developments?
- how does the fundraising from the state and business work to fund startups in the US?
- what would help scientists / engineers start to think like entrepreneurs?
- how to communicate effectively with business and convey the ideas to investors?
Mr. Alan indicated that universities should pay considerable attention to innovation development and innovation projects support. Creating their own startup incubators, acceleration programs and even ecosystems is one of the important steps for the development both science and entrepreneurship in the country. Universities of the USA are open to cooperation within innovative ecosystems.