Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com January 26, 2015 • Hartford Business Journal 7 entrepreneurS CTNext seeks applications for $10,000 startup grants CTNext, Connecticut's innovation ecosystem, said it is launch- ing another round of its Entrepreneur Innovation Awards, which will provide grants of up to $10,000 to early-stage companies seeking to get their products to market. The competitive pitch program, which is being managed by Connecticut Innovations, is now seeking applications from inter- ested startups through Feb. 13. EIA winners receive unmatched grants of up to $10,000 to com- plete clearly-defined business or technology innovation projects. Since starting the program in 2013, the CTNext EIA program has awarded $216,000 to 21 companies across Connecticut. Any Connecticut small business is eligible to apply through the online application. Submissions are evaluated by an outside review committee, who select finalists to present a five-minute pitch to a panel of expert judges made up of CEOs, mentors, and investment professionals. law Morgan Lewis elevates MacDonald to Hartford managing partner International law firm Morgan Lewis & Bockius said it has named Jeffrey S. MacDonald managing partner of its new Hart- ford office at One State Street. Morgan Lewis made its first foray into Hartford in November, when it acquired Bingham McCutchen, including the Hartford of- fice and the more than 20 attorneys based there. MacDonald joined Bingham as a partner in 2012, focusing on cor- porate transactions in the insurance and financial services industries. He earned his law degree from Brooklyn Law School. MacDonald previously worked for New York-based Dewey & LeBoeuf, a global firm that had more than 1,000 attorneys when it filed for bankruptcy several months after MacDonald departed. what'S ahead: ■ 2/2 Focus: health Care ■ The List: largest hospitals in greater hartford ■ Nonprofit Profile: rensselaer hartford graduate Center Calendar Saturday, Feb. 7 Meet the Experts: Patent and Innovations The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will offer a comprehensive seminar to Connecticut businesses on topics related to safeguarding intellectual property and growing globally. The event, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., will take place Feb. 7 at the Hartford Public Library, 500 Main St., Hartford. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal will make opening remarks at the event followed by discussions on topics ranging from how to file for a patent, international patent protection, and the value of trademarking products. Cost to attend is $20. For more information or to register contact: Anthony Sargis, 860.638.6950, Anthony.Sargis@trade.gov. F O r a C O m P l e T e l i s T O F G r e a T e r H a r T F O r d b u s i n e s s e v e n T s , G O T O w w w . H a r T F O r d b u s i n e s s . C O m a n d C l i C k O n ' T H e a G e n d a . ' a l l C a l e n d a r i T e m s m u s T b e s u b m i T T e d e l e C T r O n i C a l l y v i a O u r w e b s i T e , H a r T F O r d b u s i n e s s . C O m . advertiSing, media & marketing Hartford classic rock station debuts Connoisseur Media last week officially rebranded 102.9 DRC- FM as The Whale — a classic rock station. Westport-based Connoisseur acquired the station last year from Buckley Broadcasting and laid off a number of staff members. The Whale is sticking with its Chaz & AJ morning show, and its later programming will include hosts Allan Lamberti, Michael Picozzi and Suzi Klonk. The company also owns four stations in Milford, including 99.1 PLR. The Whale seeks to fill a void left by WCCC-FM, which was sold and converted from a class rock station to a Christian music station last year. Sen. Richard Blumenthal hat's stopping us from realizing that potential? Why does our economy struggle to keep pace with the rest of the country? Connecticut has tremendous economic assets—world-class companies, a skilled, educated, productive workforce, and a proud legacy of innovation. Yet we're not seeing the investment and growth we need. Too many people, particularly young people, are finding good jobs elsewhere. Independent studies and reports constantly rank our economic competitiveness in the bottom tier of states. Those rankings reflect decades of policy decisions that increased business costs and jeopardized jobs and opportunities. Connecticut faces tough challenges. Fiscal problems, aging transportation systems, high energy costs, and burdensome regulations and mandates all hold us back. And we must to do more to develop the talent to meet workforce needs. CBIA is fighting for change. Not just for our thousands of member companies, but for everyone in the state. This is about changing mindsets and making good policy choices. For having lawmakers consider every legislative proposal for its impact—positive or negative— on our economy. And making them understand that real change creates an environment of opportunity, builds economic vitality and prosperity, and benefits everyone. We can do better. We have to do better.

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