13th Annual Symposium
Save-the-date: June 12-14, 2024 | College Park, MD

Agenda

Take a look at the below schedule from last year’s Deshpande Symposium to get a sense of what this year’s program will include!

Monday, June 5, 2023
1:30-4:30pm

Join us for two exciting pre-symposium sessions hosted on Arizona State University’s campus!

Experience A:

Challenging and Advancing University Student Entrepreneurs: ASU’s Innovation Open

Experience B:

Revolutionizing Learning through Virtual Reality: Visit Dreamscape at ASU and enter an immersive experience with virtual worlds, cutting-edge technology, and captivating storytelling

By registering, you will participate in both sessions. There is a capacity of 48 participants, so reserve your slot in advance. Don’t miss this highly anticipated event!

Cost: $75 | Learn More »
5:30-7:30pm Welcome Reception: SkySong 1951
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
8:30-9:30am Welcome
Keynote #1

Philip Gaskin (Kauffman Foundation)

Philip Gaskin is vice president of Entrepreneurship for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where he is responsible for leading the Kauffman Foundation’s efforts to build an economy that works for all people by making entrepreneurship an integral component of economic development policies, practices, and programs. ...

More About Philip Gaskin »

9:45-11:00am

Panel Sessions: 1

A1
Culture & Ecosystems
Students: On the road to Entrepreneurship
B1
Curriculum
Leveraging experiential learning to develop entrepreneurial universities, culture, and ecosystems.
C1
Research Commercialization
Learn How to Create an I&E Hub Without Being an NSF I-Corps Hub
D1
Emerging Trends
Redefining Innovation: Diversity as a Critical Driver for Thriving Entrepreneurship Ecosystems
11:15-12:30pm

Panel Sessions: 2

A2
Culture & Ecosystems
Five Innovative Initiatives that Bridge the Higher Education Institution/Community Divide to Build More Vibrant and Sustainable Ecosystems
B2
Curriculum
It’s Time to Stop Typecasting Asynchronous and AI-assisted Teaching and Learning and Unlocking How They Can Be Better Than In-person
C2
Research Commercialization
Innovation in Medical Schools
D2
Emerging Trends
Spanning the Boundary from Ph.D. to Science-Based Entrepreneur
12:30-1:45pm

Fireside Chat - Reflections on the Role of University Licensing fostering a culture of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Join us for a Fireside Chat with Kathy Ku and Andy Maas who between them have over 50 years of experience in university technology licensing. Hear their views on creating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, the evolving role of the university in innovation, and some of their favorite stories of start-up formation.

Moderator:
Nancy Kamei, SBIR/STTR Program Development Manager, Small Business Administration

Speakers:
Kathy Ku: https://news.stanford.edu/2018/05/31/ku-retires-27-years-leading-technology-transfer/
Andy Maas: https://www.lsu.edu/mediacenter/news/2023/02/23_andrewmaas_autmrelease.php

2:00-3:15pm

Panel Sessions: 3

A3
Culture & Ecosystems
Funding Strategies for your Entrepreneurship Initiatives
B3
Curriculum
Offering Entrepreneurial Acceleration to Aspiring Students as an Optional Credit-based Subject for the Progression of Their Innovation-driven Business Ideas Without Sacrificing Academics or Dropping Out
C3
Research Commercialization
A New Model for University Research Commercialization: Circle Innovation
D3
Emerging Trends
Identifying, Supporting and Retaining Women Academic Entrepreneurs
3:30-4:45pm

Panel Sessions: 4

A4
Culture & Ecosystems
Collaboration Breeds Innovation: How One Ecosystem Shares Ideas & Resources
B4
Curriculum
Innovations in Standards Education Programs
C4
Research Commercialization
Best Practices of Top-Ranked University Accelerators
D4
Emerging Trends
Embedding Innovative Thinking in Academic Institutions through Experiential Learning
6:30-10:30pm Deshpande Symposium Awards Dinner: Heard Museum

(transportation provided)

Wednesday, June 7, 2023
8:30-9:30am Welcome
Keynote #2

Natalie Madeira Cofield

Natalie Madeira Cofield is a presidentially appointed expert on small business and has been named one of the most powerful women in business by Entrepreneur Magazine. An award-winning entrepreneur, philanthropist, political appointee, and economic activist ...

More About Natalie Madeira Cofield »

9:45-11:00am

Panel Sessions: 5

A5
Culture & Ecosystems
Making Research More Impactful: Supporting Faculty at Undergraduate Institutions in Technology and Entrepreneurship Development
B5
Curriculum
Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship, Community Engagement and Social Impact: Strategies for Breaking Down Barriers to Cross–Campus Collaboration and Broadening Student Engagement
C5
Research Commercialization
Barriers to Participation in University Commercialization
D5
Emerging Trends
What makes a diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem and how can inclusive communities bring meaningful value?
11:15-12:30pm

Panel Sessions: 6

A6
Culture & Ecosystems
Fostering Global Entrepreneurial Mindset through Unlimited Mentoring with an Inclusion Theme: An Interactive Panel Discussion and Survey Results
B6
Curriculum
Experiential Learning – Real Experiences for Entrepreneur Students beyond the classroom
C6
Research Commercialization
Increasing the success potential of promising university startup companies
D6
Emerging Trends
MIT VMS: A Model for Mentoring Entrepreneurs
12:30-2:00pm

Plenary Panel - Ask Me Anything: Lessons Learned on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility from NSF I-Corps

Why is it that it’s only after a DEIA session officially ends that the tough, honest questions get asked? We’re here to jump right to those questions and have courageous conversations. In this interactive Chatham House Rules session (facilitating free and open communication, but respecting confidentiality), panelists will share lessons learned from their leadership with broadening participation including with the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps program. Each panelist will also share broader lessons in leadership, data management, change management and their own lived experiences navigating diversity initiatives including those that are and are not inclusive nor equitable.

Panelists:
Charleson Bell, PhD, NSF I-Corps Hub Mid-South Region Director, Vanderbilt University
Dean Chang, PhD, Chief Innovation Officer, University of Maryland; Lead PI, NSF I-Corps Hub Mid-Atlantic Region
Ji Mi Choi, NSF I-Corps Hub Desert and Pacific Region Director, Arizona State University
Stacyann P. Russell, NSF I-Corps Hub West Region Director, University of Southern California

Learn More »

2:15-3:30pm

Panel Sessions: 7

A7
Culture & Ecosystems
Deshpande Symposium UnPanel Discussion
B7
Curriculum
The Role of Graduate Academic Curriculum in Galvanizing a Commercialization Ecosystems.
C7
Research Commercialization
Is University Patenting Accelerating Innovation or Harmful Rent Seeking? Let’s debate these and other topics related to what roles universities should and shouldn’t play!
D7
Emerging Trends
The Meaning of 12: Ponderings from the 12th Annual Deshpande Symposium Steering Committee
3:30-4:30pm Closing Reception: Please join us for one last chance to network with attendees as we bring the Symposium to an end. Refreshments will be served.