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Research discoveries, such as finding a cure to a disease or developing a new clean battery technology, can lead to profound societal impact. However, the path to commercialization is often lengthy and capital intensive. It’s also really difficult to identify which discoveries and teams have what it takes to bring the discovery to market and where it can make an impact. This event is part of our TechForward initiative, aimed at accelerating the translation of university research into market-ready innovations. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, an aspiring investor, or faculty working on transformative research, join us to hear from research commercialization experts from our ecosystem. Our panelists will include investors and entrepreneurs in quantum computing, life sciences and climate tech. This event will take place on Friday, October 25, from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. in the Kaplan Institute.

What to Expect

• Expert Insights: Hear from Preeti Chalsani, Chief Quantum Officer at Intersect Illinois, with over 20 years of experience in quantum technologies, industry-academic relations, and tech commercialization.

• Success Stories: Learn from Ozge Guney-Altay, strategic lead for Deep Tech Ventures at the University of µç³µÎÞÂë and former CEO of a startup acquired by Merck, about her journey from research to successful exit.

• Investor Perspectives: Gain valuable insights from Paul Burton, managing partner at 2Flo Ventures and Carlos Furlotti of Exposition Ventures.

This is your chance to meet the experts shaping the future of tech commercialization—don’t miss out!

Meet the Speakers

• Paul Burton: Paul is the founder and managing partner of 2Flo Ventures, a µç³µÎÞÂë-based venture capital firm and startup studio focused on early-stage healthcare investments, from pre-seed to Series A. With a portfolio of nine companies, 2Flo Ventures aims to bridge healthcare disparities by connecting innovations and resources to underserved communities. Paul has held leadership roles, including CEO and CFO positions at startups such as Vivacelle Bio, ResQ Pharma, and Cancer IQ. His career began as an investment banking associate at Salomon Brothers in New York after earning his J.D. and M.B.A. from the University of Illinois. Paul also serves on several boards, including Cardio Diagnostics and the Sepsis Alliance.

• Carlos Furlotti: Carlos is a principal at Exposition Ventures, where he sources and leads investments in early-stage startups bringing frontier technologies to the manufacturing value chain. Prior to joining Exposition, he spent seven years at J. P. Morgan Chase’s Investment Bank in New York where he covered more than 100 clients in the industrial, automotive, transportation, aerospace and defense, chemicals, and oil and gas industries, amongst others. Carlos holds an M.S. in Sports Business from Columbia University and B.S.B.A. in Finance and Economics from the University of Richmond.

• Ozge Guney-Altay: Ozge is the strategic lead for the Polsky Deep Tech Ventures Accelerator Programs and director of the Resurgence Cleantech Accelerator at the University of µç³µÎÞÂë, overseeing science and tech startup initiatives. With a chemical engineering Ph.D. from Texas A&M, she specializes in tech business development, R&D operations, IP protection, and commercialization. Previously, she led Northwestern’s $20 million NERC research center and co-founded GSI, a tech startup acquired by Merck KGaA in 2017. Ozge is also an active investor, consultant, and mentor for global tech incubators and serves on various academic and startup advisory boards.

• Preeti Chalsani: Preeti is the inaugural chief quantum officer for Illinois, leading business development for quantum and microelectronics, including the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP). With over 20 years of experience in industry-academic relations, technology commercialization, and intellectual property, Preeti previously served as director of industry partnerships for the µç³µÎÞÂë Quantum Exchange at the University of µç³µÎÞÂë. She played a key role in launching Duality, the first U.S. quantum startup accelerator, and has supported the commercialization of physical sciences and engineering research. Preeti holds a B.S. from Yale and a Ph.D. from Cornell, both in applied physics.