Formerly Incarcerated Innovation and Entrepreneurship program: Overcoming challenge with innovation

Formerly Incarcerated Innovation and Entrepreneurship program logo

Watch a recording of this event.

Join us on March 14, 2-4 p.m. ET, for our inaugural Formerly Incarcerated Innovation and Entrepreneurship program to learn how a formerly incarcerated innovator overcame life-changing challenges to start her company. Hear from Aisha McCain, an inspiring inventor whose passion, tenacity, and creativity led her to develop medical innovations and improve the lives of others. You'll also get information about resources and services available to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals to protect innovations and build businesses.

Agenda

(All times ET)

2-2:01 p.m. Welcome and program overview

  • Carlos Gutierrez, Innovation Outreach Specialist, Office of Innovation Outreach, USPTO

2:01-2:03 p.m. USPTO leadership greetings

  • Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO

2:03-2:31 p.m. Fireside chat: Inspiring innovation and entrepreneurship

  • Aisha McCain, Founder and CEO, Casual Recovery
  • Carlos Gutierrez, Innovation Program Manager, Office of Innovation Outreach, USPTO (moderator)

2:31-2:36 p.m. Break

2:36-3:17 p.m. Panel discussion: USPTO resources to support your innovation journey

  • Rob Berry, Manager, Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) Program, USPTO
  • Elizabeth Dorsey, Staff Attorney, Office of Enrollment and Discipline, USPTO
  • NaThanya Ferguson, Manager, Office of Innovation Outreach, USPTO (moderator)

3:17-3:43 p.m. Panel discussion: Small Business Administration (SBA) resources for the entrepreneurship community

  • Mark Winchester, Deputy District Director, Houston District Office, SBA
  • Ed Carballo, Innovation Outreach Specialist, Office of Innovation Outreach, USPTO

3:43-3:49 p.m. Resource wrap-up and closing

  • Carlos Gutierrez, Innovation Outreach Specialist, Office of Innovation Outreach, USPTO

 

Speaker biographies

 

This program is one of the USPTO Office of Innovation Outreach’s Innovator events for everyone. Please contact InnovationOutreach@uspto.gov for more information.

The content and opinions shared by our guest speakers during this program are not those of the USPTO, nor are they an endorsement of any persons, products, programs, or policies mentioned during the event.

Accessibility accommodation

Accessibility

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please submit your request to the contact information listed above.

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This event is part of a series: Advancing Equity, Formerly incarcerated innovation