UC Collaborates With 7 Universities for Nov. 9-10 OVALS University Partnership Meeting

Learn how to create and advance startup companies at the 12th annual conference of Ohio Valley Affiliates for Life Sciences (OVALS), set for Nov. 9-10 in Louisville, Ky. 

This year's event, themed "

University Start-Ups: Getting Beyond Challenges – Making It Happen,

" features expert session panelists sharing insider successful startup tips such as identifying, leveraging and connecting to university startup resources; how to initiate a startup; finding and working with professionals and entrepreneurs; partnering with industry; and how best to achieve early-stage funding and capital-raising goals.

Technology transfer professionals, university and corporate scientists, business development professionals, state and local economic development officials, attorneys, investors, incubators and entrepreneurs will benefit from the conference.

The conference includes a full day of panel sessions, a keynote speaker and a networking reception. An innovation showcase to be held the evening of Nov. 9 will feature a poster competition of university- and innovation-based product opportunities and start-ups. All panel discussions and the keynote address will be held Nov. 10.

“Attendees to this year’s conference will hear terrific information on how to create a successful startup company with particular focus on the Ohio Valley university ecosystems. This year’s OVALS conference has broadened its focus to include new technologies from all sciences, not just the life sciences in order to more fully leverage the opportunity potential of our region,” says Dorothy Air, associate vice president for entrepreneurial affairs and technology commercialization at the University of Cincinnati, one of the conference’s organizing members. “The OVALS conference is a great opportunity to learn more about commercializing new technologies and networking with professionals.”

Keynote speaker Dr. Mary Nan Mallory will highlight her experience as a faculty entrepreneur. Mallory, a professor of emergency medicine and vice chief of staff at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, is the co-founder of InScope Medical Solutions, a start-up company that is developing a new Bluetooth-enabled laryngoscope for optimized airway intubation. InScope Medical Solutions has leveraged many community resources and raised capital by winning several recent, global business plan competitions.

This year’s conference takes place at the Seelbach Hilton Hotel, 500 S. Fourth Street, Louisville, Ky. Cconference registration fee is $125 for faculty/staff from academic institutions, $150 for regular admission and $75 for students. Those who participate in the Innovative Showcase will receive one complimentary registration per entry.

Indiana University, Ohio State University, Ohio University, Purdue University, the University of Dayton, the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville also are organizing members of the conference. University of Cincinnati is a founding member of OVALS, the which formed in 2002.

For more conference information, details on the poster session, or to register for the event, visit University of Cincinnati Conference & Event Services,

uc.edu/eventservices/ovals

.  Questions also can be directed to Air at

dorothy.air@uc.edu

or

event.services@uc.edu

Related Stories

2

State continues support for the Ohio Cyber Range

June 5, 2026

The Ohio Cyber Range Institute at the University of Cincinnati recently received $227,000 from the Ohio Controlling Board., reported Local 12 News. The OCRI manages the Ohio Cyber Range on behalf of the state. It is a statewide, collaborative network that supports cybersecurity programs across Ohio.