Leading Technology and Innovation Expert Dr. Charles Wessner to Speak at 2nd Annual Irvine Entrepreneur Forum

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Charles Wessner, a National Academy Scholar and director of the Program on Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at the National Academy of Sciences, will be providing the keynote address at the 2nd Annual Irvine Entrepreneur Forum (IEF) on Monday, February 28th at The Beckman Center at UC Irvine. Dr. Wessner is recognized internationally for his expertise on innovation and his support for the development of entrepreneurship and new technologies within different industries, universities and government administrations. He has advised U.S. government agencies and international organizations on how new technologies can address global health, climate, energy and security challenges, and his work has addressed economic growth, entrepreneurship and public-private partnerships.

"We are pleased to welcome back Dr. Wessner," said Chris Lynch, vice president of economic development for the Irvine Chamber of Commerce. "At the first IEF, he highlighted the challenges of Orange County, and the global competitive market," added Lynch. "We'll be drawing on his expertise in formulating economic development programs for the county."

The 2nd Annual Irvine Entrepreneur Forum is developed by the Irvine Chamber of Commerce's Economic Development division, and is designed to promote innovation within Irvine's thriving business community. The event will feature 29 start-up or newly formed companies that are competing to win one of two $10,000 cash prizes in the digital media category for "Best Digital Media Plan" and the general category for "Best Overall Business Plan" by an entrepreneur. The online voting will be held until February 14, with two companies that will be chosen by the public and four other companies that will be selected by a panel of local angel investors and economic development professionals.

The six selected entrepreneurs will receive a once in a lifetime opportunity to be taught the art of communicating the value of their innovation to potential investors. They will be given the chance to pitch a short video presentation to a panel of angel and venture capital investors on February 28, where even the attendees can learn first-hand what investors look for in evaluating companies. The winners will be announced and presented with their prize money at the end of the day.

The 2nd Annual Irvine Entrepreneur Forum is now open to the public and tickets are available for $95 per person.

About The 2nd Annual Irvine Entrepreneur Forum

The Irvine Entrepreneur Forum (IEF) was established by the Irvine Chamber of Commerce's Economic Development division and was made possible by the OC Workforce Investment Board, TechCoast Angels, The City of Irvine, UCI Beal Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, OCTANe, CleanTech OC, and OC Metro to bring together local entrepreneurs with angel, venture and private equity investors.  The IEF provides entrepreneurial companies the unique opportunity to make pitch presentations to a panel of angel and venture capital investors interested in discovering, and possibly investing in, emerging companies.

For additional information about the IEF please visit www.iefinfo.com

SOURCE Irvine Chamber of Commerce