LOS ANGELES, Dec. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Today,
Larta Institute, the nation's leading commercialization engine for
science innovation and entrepreneurship, brings together leaders
from its extended innovation and influence community at a VIP
reception to reflect and share recent milestones in the
organization's 25-year history helping realize technology solutions
that feed, fuel, and heal the world.
A special celebration will bring leading influencers,
entrepreneurs and government officials to the historic Biltmore
Hotel in downtown Los Angeles on
Thursday, December 6th.
Select guests of honor will speak to the importance of
Los Angeles in stoking innovation
and entrepreneurship, which encompasses Larta's work since 1993 in
assisting early-stage entrepreneurs with commercialization
services, and call attention to recent standout participants making
great strides in important areas of
impact.
Speakers include Julie Rodriguez,
State Director for the Office of Kamala D.
Harris, who oversees operations across five district offices
and serves as the Senator's principal representative among
constituents and elected leaders throughout California. Rodriguez, who is the
granddaughter of labor icon Cesar
Chavez, worked in the Obama administration as principal
deputy director of public engagement, senior policy advisor and
special assistant to President Barack
Obama.
"Building entrepreneurial strength in California rests on our ability to leverage
our great state assets, like intellectual and human capital,
nourished from California's
diversity," she said. "We are proud of Larta Institute's solid
track record of success in empowering early-stage companies with
innovations that can better the world while strengthening our state
and national economy."
Joining her in providing remarks will be Los Angeles Deputy Mayor for Economic
Development, William Chun. Part of
the economic development team under Mayor Garcetti since 2013, Chun
has played an instrumental role in guiding the Mayor's economic
agenda — which has helped cut L.A.'s unemployment rate in half, and
created nearly 183,000 new jobs.
Other guests at the reception include Larta Distinguished Fellow
Maria Contreras-Sweet, a leader in Los
Angeles area business and former Cabinet Secretary as head
of the Small Business Administration under President Obama, and key
figures from LA BioMed, the Los Angeles Economic Development
Corporation (LAEDC) and the California Energy Commission (CEC).
The evening will celebrate the work of Larta and the successes
of its hundreds of portfolio companies over the years, who have
benefited from the depth of the organizations commercialization
services, close and personal mentorship from leading professional
advisors, and access to its rich network of sector experts capable
of furthering early-stage science-based entrepreneurs' professional
needs.
Of particular note, three companies will share the stage at this
year's event to speak to the level of impact they have achieved in
life sciences, manufacturing, and resource management. They
include:
Blue Forest Conservation, a company that champions financial
innovation to sustainable solutions, also known as social impact
bonds, which channel private capital into programs addressing
public problems. BFC addresses climate challenges, particularly
those impacting communities of need, and is currently focused on a
large scale forest revitalization project. By scaling restoration
treatments, the Forest Resilience Bond project can decrease the
risk of severe wildfire while protecting air quality, water supply,
rural communities, and habitat.
KeraMed Inc., a 2017 Tibbets Award-winning company based in
Orange, CA, that has created
significant economic and social impact through the use of SBIR/STTR
funding by developing the first foldable and injectable artificial
cornea. Keramed Inc. represents Larta Institute's groundbreaking
pursuits in the life sciences.
3DEO, which was awarded a Small Business Innovative Research
(SBIR) grant in 2016 for 3DEO, a material science, additive
technology company capable of manufacturing precise tools and
materials for industry. 3DEO is on a mission to reduce cost,
maximize efficiency and bring volume production to enable
development of devices of tomorrow, and continuing the longstanding
tradition of innovative manufacturing taking place in Los Angeles.
Reflecting on the organization's 25-year history and growth from
a regional Los Angeles business
acceleration organization to one fulfilling commercialization
mandates from federal agencies and international efforts, Larta
Institute CEO Rohit Shukla
commented: "We are grateful to celebrate our work together with
Larta's prestigious network, especially because our successes rest
largely on a truly amazing network of expertise gathered around
common purpose."
The Larta VIP Reception is a private event. For media passes
please contact the communications team.
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About Larta Institute
Larta Institute, founded in Los
Angeles in 1993, is an internationally recognized and
mission-driven innovation accelerator that provides a runway of
success for world-changing ideas in healthcare, agriculture and
energy. Larta Institute has helped more than 10,000 companies
transform ideas into commercialized innovations that feed, fuel and
heal the world. With a global network of entrepreneurs, mentors,
investors, industry leaders, research institutions, government
agencies and support organizations, Larta conducts
commercialization assistance programs throughout the U.S. and in
more than 20 countries. Follow us on Twitter @LartaInstitute.
SOURCE Larta Institute