Innovation Forum is an annual competition and networking event designed to showcase the groundbreaking research of Princeton University's STEM and Humanities faculty, researchers, postdocs, and graduate students. The event aims to emphasize the broader societal impact of their work beyond academia.

This year’s Forum will open with a dynamic panel discussion between academic and industry experts exploring Princeton's role in fostering a robust innovation ecosystem and what it means to 'innovate in the service of humanity.'

Following the panel, participants will take the stage to present their novel projects to our esteemed judges, vying for a share of $50,000 in prize money.

John Payne, Head of Design at Public Policy Lab, a nonprofit service design consultancy focused on improving government services for all Americans, will deliver the keynote talk on Innovation and the Public Interest.

Attendees are invited to connect with the presenters at the demo station and networking reception, offering a unique opportunity to engage directly with cutting-edge researchers and innovators.

Register

Schedule

  • 10:00 am - Check-In
  • 10:30 am - Panel Discussion - Design: The Foundation of Impactful Entrepreneurship
  • 11:45 am - Topic-Driven Networking Lunch-  A light lunch will be served in the Foyer with the opportunity to network through guided topic tables in MPR C.
    • Table 1: Beyond Techno-Economic Entrepreneurship Frameworks: Should ventures be analyzed through historical, cultural, social, and political lenses?
    • Table 2: Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Academic Cultures: Is there an opportunity for thoughtful, deliberate, and reflective entrepreneurship - one that doesn’t rely on a “rush to term sheet”?
    • Table 3: Day Zero: IP and Entrepreneurial Foundations -Great ideas and truly innovative science/tech breakthroughs do not always equate to sustainable business ventures. What are the strategies for getting a venture off the ground. 
    • Table 4: Corporate Innovation: Evolution of the corporate perspective on academic research and startup ventures.  
  • 12:40 pm - Innovation Forum Opening Remarks
  • 1:00 pm - STEM Presentations
  • 1:45 pm - Keynote: Innovation and the Public Interest, John Payne, Head of Design at Public Policy Lab
  • 2:15 pm - Coffee Break
  • 2:30 pm - Humanities and Social Sciences Presentations
  • 3:15 pm - Demo Station Reception and Award Announcement 

The Innovation Forum is co-sponsored by Technology Licensing & New Ventures and the Humanities Council at Princeton.

 

View arrival, parking and transit info on how to get to the Frist Campus Center. 

2024 Participants

STEM

HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES

2024 Judges

  • Stephani Register, Founder in Residence, Recovery Is Essential; Principal Planner, City of Trenton
  • Sashank Rishyasringa, Co-Founder & Managing Director, axio
  • Sabriya Stukes, Partner at SOSV; Chief Scientific Officer at IndieBio
  • Rob Van Varick, Chief Design Officer, Michael Graves Design
  • Grant Warner, Bank of America Endowed Professor of Entrepreneurship; Director of the Center for Black Entrepreneurship

Who can attend?

Open to the public, the campus community, students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Registration is required.

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Cornelia Huellstrunk

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