High-tech entrepreneurship program announces 2013 graduating class

By Jacqueline Molik Ghosen

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo School of Management’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) and UB’s New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences celebrated the graduation of the High-Tech CEL class of 2013 at a reception on May 15 at the UB Downtown Gateway.

Eleven representatives from nine life science and technology companies made up the third class of executives to complete this prestigious program. This year’s graduates are: Peter Bjorkman, Vigilair Systems Inc., North Tonawanda; Steven Ebel, Vigilair Systems Inc., North Tonawanda; Suzanne Furlani, Shatter I.T. LLC, Buffalo; Mark Green, Janus Systems Corp., Williamsville; Peter Labaki, Celerity LLC, Buffalo; Barbara Osika, Omantec LLC, Lancaster; Michael Osika, Omantec LLC, Lancaster; Oscar Pedroso, GradFly, Rochester; Edward Robb, Applied Medical Coatings, Lockport; L. Wayne Schultz, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, Buffalo; and Timothy Umland, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, Buffalo.

The High-Tech CEL program is a collaborative effort between the UB School of Management and the Center of Excellence, and offers leaders of early-stage and evolving life sciences and technology companies the opportunity to learn the unique challenges of high-tech industry from established entrepreneurs as well as from others who are important to long-term success, such as venture capitalists.

The 10-week program combined weekly topical sessions with industry networking events and the opportunity for mentorship. Over the course of the program, guest speakers from across the region and country shared their industry experience through interactive lectures, panel discussions and case studies on a wide range of topics, including entrepreneurship challenges, intellectual property, licensing and regulatory issues, sales and marketing and financing. Because the program limits yearly enrollment, this year’s graduating class benefited from the opportunity to interact more intimately with speakers from such companies as Pfizer, Welch Allyn and Brooks, Houghton & Co.

“Our goal is to help these organizations build strong management teams and to provide them with the information they need to develop their pathways to commercialization,” said Thomas Ulbrich, CEL executive director.

“It’s inspiring to see another class of High-Tech CEL professionals graduate,” said Marnie LaVigne, associate vice president of economic development at UB. “Entrepreneurship in high-tech fields will continue to be an integral part of Western New York’s economy, and this program gives our region’s innovative leaders the skills that will help them reach new levels of success.”

Next year’s program is slated for spring 2014. To learn more or to apply, call 716-885-5715 or send an email to mgt-cel@buffalo.edu.

Established in 1987, the CEL provides participants with individualized and interactive education in entrepreneurship. More than 900 CEL alumni employ more than 22,000 Western New Yorkers, and their businesses are worth more than $2 billion to the local economy. For more information, visit mgt.buffalo.edu/cel.

The mission of the University at Buffalo’s New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences is to foster economic development by connecting university resources with life sciences and high-tech industry through funding, research and development support, programming and education, with the goal of helping companies find business solutions, accelerate new ideas and grow. This technology-based economic development mission is complemented by the COE’s efforts to support the advancement of new discoveries in science that seek better ways of preventing and managing disease and improving lives.

The UB School of Management is recognized for its emphasis on real-world learning, community and economic impact, and the global perspective of its faculty, students and alumni. The school has been ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek, the Financial Times, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report and the Wall Street Journal for the quality of its programs and the return on investment it provides its graduates. For more information about the UB School of Management, visit mgt.buffalo.edu.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB’s more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.