The Montana Innovation Partnership at Montana State University’s TechLink Center will host “Innovate Here,” a one-day virtual conference March 7 focused on key technology industries in Montana, such as bioscience, photonics and quantum technologies.

The conference aims to connect Montana and regional entrepreneurs who are working on advanced technology with information that can aid in commercializing new research, said Ann Peterson, program director of MSU’s Montana Innovation Partnership.

“The ‘Innovate Here’ conference is an opportunity to bring together scientists and industry partners to highlight some of the deep technologies that are driving Montana’s tech industry,” Peterson said. “Entrepreneurs from Montana and across the country will be able to learn about some of these advancements, connect with other entrepreneurs and regional partners, and hear about how to tap into some of the federal investments in research and development for new commercial innovations through America’s Seed Fund and other programs.”

Conference attendees will hear from Alison Harmon, MSU’s vice president for research and economic development; Bob Sutor, vice president at quantum information company Infleqtion; and Clarice Aiello, director of UCLA’s Quantum Bio Lab; as well as leaders from Montana’s bioscience and photonics sectors.

Participants will also attend interactive sessions about government contracting, as well as Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer funding. The conference will include panels on federal and private investments and presentations by Montana technology firms and photonics and bioscience alliances about doing business in Montana.

The conference is aimed primarily at small technology firms, innovators, scientists or researchers. More information on the Innovate Here Conference, including a schedule of events is at innovatehere.org.