The Youngstown Business Incubator and the Advanced Manufacturing Initiative, a program of Youngstown State University’s College of STEM are pleased to announce their collaboration to offer the Innovation Series to promote innovation and technology to catalyze both emerging entrepreneurs and established industries in the Mahoning Valley.

On Tuesday, March 17, Allen Jones, Program Director, will discuss FirstLink, the Department of Defense’s (DoD) National Center of Excellence for First Responder Technology Transfer.  FirstLink focuses on the acceleration of developing technologies which primarily benefit civilian and military first responders.   The program will be held at the Youngstown Business Incubator, 241 W. Federal Street, Youngstown, and is scheduled for 8:00 am to 9:30 am.

Opportunities may exist for businesses in information technology, robotics, manufacturing, workforce development and electronics.  Businesses are encouraged to attend even if they are not currently serving the first responder industry.

FirstLink creates connections between businesses and DoD by assisting with technology validation, transfer, licensing and commercialization, identifying research in progress for collaborative and joint opportunities.  It can help finding industry experts, locate testing, research and development resources and identify federal funding and grant opportunities. FirstLink’s services are provided at NO charge to the program participants.

The program is free but reservations are required and can be made by contacting Julie Michael Smith, Chief Development Officer, Youngstown Business Incubator at jmsmith@ybi.org or 330-259-7644.

Innovation Series is a networking and educational forum that brings together innovative, progressive people with a vision – to catalyze a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment in the Mahoning Valley.  The Series is for companies to showcase new technologies, for technology organizations to share resources, for entrepreneurs to build relationships, for educators to highlight their initiatives – it is a place for innovative talk, robust debates, inquiring minds. Sponsored by the Advanced Manufacturing Initiative (a program of YSU’s College of STEM) and the Youngstown Business Incubator, it is an opportunity to learn about the “cool things” going on – right here in the Mahoning Valley!