By: Josh Sloat

​It's impossible to overstate the importance of protecting our most important natural resource. And that's why we couldn't be more excited to announce that we're joining forces with AquaAction to provide patenting assistance for their vital mission to restore freshwater health in North America! 

Aqua's programs, like its Hacking Challenge, present incredible opportunities to help accelerate technologies that will both improve and protect our precious water ecosystems, as well as boost the local innovation economies they touch. Aurora will be providing patent coaching to all participants, as well as service-based awards for the top three finalists in the annual, bi-national AquaHacking Great Lakes Challenge.  

We are thrilled about this partnership, eager to see where our collective energies take this, and confident it will mean great things for the region and the sustainability of its most important natural resource.

AquaAction is a Canadian and US registered charity established by the Fondation de Gaspé Beaubien in 2015, created to disrupt the status quo with innovative ideas and engage youth in the fight against the water-related climate crisis. AquaAction has developed three programs focused on water innovation and technology: the AquaHacking Challenge, AquaEntrepreneur and the AquaAction Alumni Community. Since its establishment, 28 innovative start-ups have been created across Canada. 
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The AquaHacking Challenge is a tech innovation program focused on developing solutions to pressing freshwater issues within the Great Lakes watershed region. The program is open to American and Canadian post-secondary students and young professionals looking for a hands-on way to apply their talent and fight the freshwater crisis. The solutions developed today will help save our freshwater systems for generations to come.

The 2023 Challenge started in September and will run for 9 months. Participants will receive mentoring and expert coaching, have access to on demand content in innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership and be eligible for micro-credits and digital badging. The 2023 AquaHacking Challenge is the first of three that will run sequentially from 2023 to 2026.
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We're personally and professionally very excited about the potential for initiatives like Aqua's Hacking Challenge, the Fresh Coast Maritime Challenge, and related water-focused technology efforts around things like electric boating. When you combine the access to our natural assets, a strong desire to protect them, the collective background expertise of so many who've grown up around freshwater, and the startup support given by groups like 20Fathoms and institutions like NMC, there's no reason why Northern Michigan shouldn't establish itself as a leading innovator in the blue economy.

The AquaHacking Great Lakes Challenge is co-hosted by Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) and AquaAction.
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By: Josh Sloat

Inventors are the lifeblood of innovation and the backbone of our economy! Join us in October as we celebrate this country's greatest asset with some of its strongest defenders!

US Inventor is hosting its first annual conference to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. This conference offers an incredibly unique chance to connect with industry experts, gain valuable insights, and expand your network. The in-person event will take place Thursday, October 19, 2023, through Saturday, October 21st, and will feature industry experts and speakers including:

You'll also have the opportunity to meet industry champions like Paul Morinville, Randy Landreneau, and Josh Malone of US Inventor.  
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We'll also be taking our Patently Strategic Podcast on the road to conduct interviews from the Madison building at USPTO Headquarters! Regular listeners might recall that one of our first episodes, American Inventor Horror Story, was recorded at US Inventor's Decade of Stolen Dreams Rally in Detroit, marking (commiserating) the 10-year anniversary of the passage of the devastating America Invents Act. We've also interviewed several of the conference's distinguished guests including, Professor Adam Mossoff, Randy Landreneau, and Judge Paul Michel, for our Patent Wars episode, which focuses on the largest problems plaguing patenting and some of the most promising solutions. 
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We love inventors and inventors love coffee, so we'll be sponsoring the coffee bar at the event. Be sure to drop by, say hello, and have a cup on us!
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You can view the full agenda here.

Dates: Thursday, October 19, 2023, through Saturday October 21st
Locations: Capitol Hill, DC | USPTO in Alexandria, VA
Cost: $150
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By: Josh Sloat

​Next week, we'll be attending, sponsoring, and speaking at MichBio's Life Sciences Showcase, held in-person in Lansing, MI. We'll have a table set up, so be sure to stop by and say hello. 

The Showcase brings together industry professionals, thought leaders, and change-makers from all Life Sciences sectors with patients and patient advocates, higher education and research professionals, services providers, students, and economic development and non-profit partners to promote industry connectivity, share best practices and emerging trends insights, explore the changing healthcare landscape, and drive industry growth.

This event will include four of MichBio's signature events – Drug Discovery Symposium, Medical Device Summit, Digital Health Forum, and Patient Advocacy Forum - with dedicated tracks for each event, as well as an exhibit floor featuring suppliers and vendors serving the life sciences, research and technology presentations, and networking opportunities.

When: Monday, September 18th from 7:30a-7:00p ET.
Location: Lansing Center in Downtown Lansing // 333 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48933
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We'll be doing a talk in the afternoon on crafting stronger life science patents. Life science patents have grown increasingly vulnerable to rejection and invalidation due to subject matter eligibility and enablement interpretations. The implications are staggering with over 80% of abandoned life science applications having a final rejection stating that the innovation did not include patentable subject matter. In this talk, we’ll explore how to avoid these rejections, understand the implications for new drugs, and provide practical tips for creating robust life science patents. We'll also briefly touch on expanding your exclusivity window in light of FDA delays and what strings to be aware of when pursuing government funding from sources like SBIR and STTR grants.

For a complete list of topics and speakers, see the full agenda. 
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We'll also be doing a 15 minute talk about the dangers of public disclosure and the critical steps to take to protect your idea before pitching or approaching investors. At this time, Ashley will also be available for a patent expert AMA, so come armed with your intellectual property questions!
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​Aurora is a proud supporter of MichBio, a member of the MichBio IP committee, and a sponsor of this event. Life science innovations are essential for human health and must be a vibrant component of Michigan's economy. For decades, MichBio has been important in driving bio-industry growth in Michigan and connecting the people, companies, and ideas necessary to create the next generation of bio-innovation. They are great partners, and we're happy to support their important mission in any way we can!
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