The Founders
Several years ago, a few committed individuals in Rochester recognized the confusion that inventors in the universities face regarding business matters versus the enormity of business talent in the community. They surmised that if the right resources were brought together for an intensive, hands-on, two day workshop to analyze and explore the start-up potential of new inventions, the result could potentially be (as one of our sponsors called it) “magic.”
So in response to an expressed need, the founders of the PSW, backed by an advisory panel of committed university and community stakeholders, created the Pre-Seed Workshop during the summer of 2004. The PSW was designed as an effective and efficient methodology to determine if university inventions had commercial value and could serve as the basis for new start-ups companies
The first PSW was held in Rochester in September 2004 and was a great success. The workshop spread rapidly and virally. It was adopted by Cornell University, then by the Buffalo community, then Syracuse, Albany, NYC and Long Island. Over the last six years, the PSW has become a regular annual event in many communities throughout New York State.
| Mark Wilson PSW Founder and Facilitator Rochester, NY (585) 482-5524 For Mark’s Bio, click here |
Judy Albers PSW Founder and Facilitator Rochester, NY (585) 350-8778 For Judy’s Bio, click here |