Stevens Institute of Technology is attracting innovators and entrepreneurs nationwide to Research and Entrepreneurship Day 2011, the annual showcase of Stevens diverse intellectual property and technology transfer programs. World-renowned keynote speakers Dr. Vijay Govindarajan and Mark W. Johnson will join Stevens students and faculty to demonstrate the power of bridging the gap between research and business in academia. Investors, entrepreneurs, private and corporate partners, alumni, and peer researchers will derive value in experiencing Stevens portfolio of innovative research and entrepreneurship activities.

"Forward-thinking faculty at Stevens are bridging the gap between the laboratory and industry and transforming the standards of research and entrepreneurship in academia," says Dr. George P. Korfiatis, Provost and University Vice President. "This approach reflects our commitment to exploring research applications with a real impact on global society. It provides tremendous rewards for both our faculty and students."

R&E Day 2011 is the embodiment of University initiatives that promote an overall culture of entrepreneurship through research, education, and outreach. The natural outgrowth of these programs is Stevens Startups: eight spin-off companies whose growth and development is nurtured right here at Stevens. After faculty and alumni present their cutting-edge technologies, eight students representing eight teams of student inventors will present their own technology solutions in a fast-paced and exciting venture-style Elevator Pitch Competition.

Opening keynote speaker Dr. Govindarajan is "one of the world's hottest business gurus," according to Business Week. One of the most popular professors at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, he is an expert in the strategic execution of innovation and the coauthor of The Other Side of Innovation.

Mark Johnson's keynote will focus on his front-line experience and innovation strategy in the technology investment market. Cofounder and Chairman of Innosight, Johnson consults to the Global 1000 as well as tech startups in a broad segment of industries. His current focus is on managing transformational new growth in companies.

For peers and partners, the exhibition of Stevens research portfolio during the afternoon reception presents a unique opportunity to get a personal introduction to engineering, science, and systems research conducted at Stevens. Faculty will be on-hand to describe their cutting-edge work and answer questions.

Founded by a family of inventors and entrepreneurs, Stevens has a proud history of applying research to solve real problems. Building on the experiences of Stevens entrepreneurial faculty, the Office of Academic Entrepreneurship (OAE) brings a new dimension of thinking to Stevens. OAE is led by Dr. Christos Christodoulatos, who imparts wisdom to the next generation of academic entrepreneurs. Dr. Christodoulatos learned first-hand the challenges of being an entrepreneur during the development and sale of a company founded on a water-purification technology he co-invented at Stevens. He sees OAE's important role as that of creating an entrepreneurial environment where bright new ideas thrive.

To bridge the natural gaps between campus and commerce, Stevens also fosters training and external partnerships that enhance relationships between university startups and investors and entrepreneurs. Malcolm Kahn, Vice President of Enterprise Development and Licensing at Stevens, is a veteran serial entrepreneur with a hands-on knowledge of technology markets. By demonstrating how the University takes the initial steps to "De-Risk" its inventions, Kahn's office helps Stevens students, faculty, and partners realize the practical benefits of research for the greater good of society.

R&E Day 2011 is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to not only benefit from an insider's perspective on successful initiatives starting at Stevens, but also learn about breakthrough innovation strategies from global experts.

Learn more about Research and Entrepreneurship Day 2011 at the event website or register now.