Focus on Programming for Energy Efficiency Building Technology Sector
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 12, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Innovation has found its place – and once again, it's in Philadelphia. The University City Science Center is expanding its successful Quorum program to The Navy Yard in Philadelphia in partnership with the Energy Efficient Buildings Hub (EEB Hub). Satellite Quorum by EEB Hub at The Navy Yard pilot programming will begin on October 3, 2012.
Quorum, a strategic initiative of the Science Center, unites the region's entrepreneurship and innovation communities and offers programming to connect entrepreneurs to investors, advice and resources. Since Quorum launched in May 2011, 10,000 people have attended more than 200 events, programs and meetings at Quorum at 3711 Market Street. The pilot Satellite Quorum by EEB Hub at The Navy Yard will be the first expansion of the Science Center's "clubhouse" for entrepreneurs.
During the six-month pilot program, the Science Center will develop and implement four Quorum programs at The Navy Yard targeting the energy efficiency building technology sector, which is the focus of the EEB Hub's efforts. The series will kick off on October 3 with an Angel Education program that will provide information about opportunities in the sector to Angel investors. Satellite Quorum by EEB Hub at The Navy Yard programming will continue with Coffee & Capital which will match entrepreneurs with an investor for an informal Q&A session; Office Hours, where an advisor will meet one-on-one with entrepreneurs, answer their questions and offer targeted advice; and Smart Talk, which will convene a panel discussion of entrepreneurs and experts on the energy efficiency building technology sector.
"By launching Satellite Quorum by EEB Hub at The Navy Yard we're establishing another node or connection point in the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem," says Stephen S. Tang, Ph.D., MBA, President & CEO of the University City Science Center. "Entrepreneurs have a key role to play in helping EEB Hub reach its goal of reducing energy consumption. We want to help spark further innovation and connections that support EEB Hub's goal and increase the diversity and vibrancy of the region's startup scene. "
The EEB Hub's efforts are concentrated on accelerating the adoption of advanced energy retrofits for average-size commercial buildings in the region. The EEB Hub is designing, demonstrating and deploying market-proven solutions in the Greater Philadelphia region to help the buildings sector achieve ongoing efficiency. As part of this work, the EEB Hub will help launch business ventures that will leverage market opportunities for providing whole building energy saving solutions. These ventures are needed to meet the new and developing needs of the building sector to attain high-energy efficiency.
"The Science Center is a proven convener of the entrepreneurial community by developing programming that attracts the right mix of stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem," comments Dr. Henry C. Foley, Executive Director of the EEB Hub. We know that the Satellite Quorum by EEB Hub at The Navy Yard will be a great addition to the EEB Hub's mission of reducing energy consumption in the commercial building sector while also growing the green tech and clean tech entrepreneurial community in Greater Philadelphia."
The EEB Hub is located at The Navy Yard which the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) has successfully developed as a Clean Energy Campus that continues to attract new businesses. John Grady, President of PIDC and a champion of Philadelphia's entrepreneurial community adds, "The Satellite Quorum by EEB Hub at The Navy Yard will be a fantastic complement to our citywide efforts to leverage emerging technology sectors into new businesses locating and growing in Philadelphia. We welcome the Science Center and their successful Quorum Program to The Navy Yard and look forward to working with the EEB Hub and the Science Center to continue to make The Navy Yard a center of energy innovation and entrepreneurial activity."
As part of the Satellite Quorum by EEB Hub at The Navy Yard pilot, EEB Hub has joined the 31-member Quorum Strategic Partner Alliance. EEB Hub entrepreneurs will also have access to Quorum's entrepreneur-focused programming and community events, lounge space and plug and play stations at 3711 Market Street, as well as the scientists, innovators, investors and resource organizations that make up the Quorum community.
All Satellite Quorum by EEB Hub at The Navy Yard programming will take place in Building 101, the temporary home of the EEB Hub. When the retrofit of Building 661, the future headquarters of the EEB Hub, is completed, Satellite Quorum by EEB Hub at The Navy Yard and all other EEB Hub programming will move into that building.
For more information about the Angel Education program on October 3 go to http://sciencecenter.cal.basecampbusiness.com/node/232670
About Energy Efficient Buildings Hub
The EEB Hub was established by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as an Energy-Regional Innovation Cluster with a unique dual mission of improving energy efficiency in buildings and promoting regional economic growth and job creation from its headquarters in Philadelphia's Navy Yard. Specifically, the EEB Hub aims to reduce energy consumption in the Greater Philadelphia commercial building sector by 20 percent by 2020 through informed people, validated information and proven technologies. The EEB Hub includes 27 performer organizations, led by Penn State, made up of research universities, DOE laboratories, industrial firms, and economic development agencies.
About the Science Center
The University City Science Center accelerates technology commercialization, regional economic development, and the market availability of life-enhancing scientific breakthroughs by bringing together innovations, scientists, entrepreneurs, funding, laboratory facilities, and business services. Established in 1963 and headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, the Science Center was the first, and remains the largest, urban research park in the United States. Graduate organizations and current residents of the University City Science Center's Port business incubators have created more than 15,000 jobs that remain in the Greater Philadelphia region today and contribute more than $9 billion to the regional economy annually. For more information about the Science Center, go to www.sciencecenter.org . Quorum is a strategic initiative of the University City Science Center that is designed to unite the region's entrepreneurship and innovation communities through a central gathering space and related programs that enable idea generators to meet, share and learn, promoting the success of companies, individuals and the Philadelphia region.
CONTACT:
Jeanne Mell, University City Science Center
215-966-6029 / 302-345-8130 (cell) / jmell@sciencecenter.org
Kristen Fitch, University City Science Center
215-966-6156 / kfitch@sciencecenter.org
Laurie Actman, Energy Efficient Buildings Hub
(215) 218-7586 / lactman@engr.psu.edu
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