Fuentek President Laura Schoppe Led Webinar on Protecting Commercial Value of Projects

(December 1, 2009)

APEX, N.C. –Laura A. Schoppe, president of Fuentek, led a webinar for the Conrad Foundation’s Spirit of Innovation Awards on Dec. 1. Schoppe used her experience in intellectual property and technology management to offer expert advice to high school students looking to protect the financial value of their ideas and products. The discussion focused on how and when to turn research projects into commercial ventures through the use of patents and other intellectual property protection mechanisms. A recording of the webinar is made available to all students participating in the Spirit of Innovation competition.

“It is important that those creating innovative ideas and technologies understand how to protect their work and its value,” said Schoppe. “I enjoyed sharing Fuentek’s insight on the topic with this great group of young innovators.”

The Conrad Foundation is a nonprofit that provides students with the tools, resources and technologies necessary to be innovators.

About Laura A Schoppe:
Laura A. Schoppe is president of Fuentek, LLC, a consulting firm that provides intellectual property and technology management services with a specialization in technology commercialization. In her role as president, Laura is responsible for managing relationships as well as establishing strategic client plans and conducting training workshops for clients. From 2005 through 2009, DiversityBusiness.com has recognized Fuentek as one of the top 50 women-owned businesses in North Carolina. Laura also has more than 15 years of successful experience in spearheading research for several defense contractors, as well as an extensive background in all aspects of intellectual property management, particularly leading license negotiation activities from transition innovations to new products. She has led major technology transfer projects at leading universities and government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies have sought her advice on strategic planning related to their intellectual assets. As a result of her expertise, Laura has been selected to speak at several national and international conferences and has published many papers and book chapters. In 2008 Laura was recognized as one of the Triangle's top 25 businesswomen with Triangle Business Journal's prestigious Women in Business Award for her exemplary leadership skills in the innovation category.

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