iDEa: Our Next Wave in Tech Innovation 2025
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Agenda
Registration/networking - 4:30 p.m. Opening Comments - 5 p.m. Lightning Talks - 5:10 p.m. Keynote Speakers - 6:20 p.m. Networking - 6:30 p.m. |
Speakers
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Dorian Deshields
QA Analyst at Osso VR Dorian has a sharp eye for detail and a passion for emerging technologies. With over a decade focused on building efficient, quality, user experiences, his forward-thinking approach brings both precision and curiosity to every project he touches. Dorian holds a hopeful vision for the future of XR (Extended Reality) tech, believing it has the potential to transform how we connect, learn, and experience the world around us. Whether creating immersive applications, or exploring potential solutions to everyday problems, Dorian is committed to building a future where technology enhances human potential.
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Ryan Venderlic
Program Manager at CAFE Ryan, a West Virginian-native turned Delaware entrepreneur, grass-roots enabler, and CAFE program manager, is dedicated to advancing education, financial literacy, and startup ecosystems through innovative tools and strategies. He was formerly at Junior Achievement of Delaware and an Economic Development Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya.
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Courtney Yager
Director of Manufacturing at Hologic, Inc. Courtney is an experienced operations leader with a unique skill combination bringing manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, continuous improvement, and cultural change experience. She has spear-headed initiatives to increase organizational success by focusing on culture change and metric-driven manufacturing execution, leveraging cross-functional teams from manufacturing, engineering, and support organizations.
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Niki Weiss
CEO of ENDevo Niki Weiss is a Digital Thanatologist, entrepreneur, and thought leader pioneering the emerging deathtech industry. She is the founder and CEO of ENDevo, a human-centric, AI-driven platform redefining end-of-life planning through what she calls Legacy Readiness and Digital Resilience—helping individuals, families, and organizations prepare for life’s most inevitable events.
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Yushan Yan
Founder of the Center for Clean Hydrogen/Versogen Yushan Yan is the Henry B. du Pont Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the Founding Director of the Center for Clean Hydrogen (CCH) at the University of Delaware (UD). He is also the Founder and CEO of Versogen, a pioneer in AEM innovations, and a Cofounder of RepAir, a carbon capture technology company. His research is in the area of electrochemical engineering with a focus on green hydrogen, fuel cells, and carbon capture using polymer anion (hydroxide) exchange membranes.
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Eric Kmiec
Chief Executive Officer of CorriXR Eric B. Kmiec, Ph.D., is Founder and Executive Director of ChristianaCare’s Gene Editing Institute (GEI) in Newark, Delaware. GEI is a translational research and education institute with a specific focus on enabling breakthrough technologies to reach underserved populations. He holds faculty appointments at the University of Delaware and the Wistar Institute, and serves as Chief Executive Officer of CorriXR Therapeutics, Inc., the first spin-out company from ChristianaCare.
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Rob Nicholson
Strategic Innovations Partnership Director of BlueTech Rob has over 20 years of military, government and civilian leadership experience in developing technology strategies and partnerships. He has led technology development, capability analysis and growth initiatives which have informed investment strategies and project prioritization for multi-million dollar research & development and science & technology portfolios. Rob currently sits on various advisory boards for key state and regional science & technology committees.
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Jeff Everhart
Technical Account Manager at Siemens Jeff Everhart serves as a Technical Account Manager with Siemens Digital Industries Software specializing in delivering industry specific solutions in the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio to customers. His focus in formulation development, process design, manufacturing and laboratory automation helps drive Digital Transformation programs with key accounts.
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Vik Paranjpe
Senior Technology Advisor at RobotLAB Vik Paranjpe serves as Senior Technology Advisor and Board Member for RobotLAB Delaware Valley, which helps local businesses adopt robotics and AI solutions to overcome challenges in labor, efficiency, and service. With over 20 years of experience as a technology executive, Vik has led major transformation projects across industries such as aerospace, manufacturing, and retail. He holds a degree in computer engineering and has mentored student robotics teams competing in programs like FLL and VEX.
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Keynote Speakers
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Keynote Speaker: Troy Francisco
Technology Director at Chemours Discovery Hub Troy Francisco is the Technology Director for the Chemours’ Newark Area Technology Sites including Chemours Discovery Hub. A Physical Chemist and Six Sigma Black Belt with 29 years of experience in the chemical and polymer industries, Troy is responsible for safe operations and operational excellence at these locations, delivering on regulatory compliance, quality management, and our collaborations with the University of Delaware.
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Keynote Speaker: Drew Brandt
Product Growth Senior Technical Manager at Chemours Drew Brandt is the Product Growth Senior Technical Manager at Chemours, leading innovation in thermal management technologies including liquid cooling. His team’s work emphasizes energy efficiency, safety, and sustainability, with a strong focus on enabling high-performance computing and AI infrastructure. Drew holds a master’s in chemistry from Villanova and has been with Chemours and its former parent company since 2012.
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VIP Guests
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Miss Delaware, Hailey Mack
Hailey Mack, Miss Delaware 2025, is a civil engineering student at the University of Delaware and a passionate advocate for young women in STEM. Through her initiative, Shoot for the Stars, Hailey inspires girls to explore science, technology, engineering, and math by sharing her own journey and creating opportunities for hands-on learning. From her work with Habitat for Humanity to her leadership as a student and titleholder, Hailey is dedicated to showing the next generation that they belong in STEM fields.
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Pepper the Robot
Pepper the Robot is a humanoid robot designed by SoftBank Robotics to interact with people in engaging, natural ways. Built with advanced speech recognition, emotion detection, and mobility, Pepper is widely used in education, research, customer service, and healthcare. Pepper helps students and professionals alike explore the future of human-robot collaboration with hands-on innovation and interaction.
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Gallery
Board Members
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Greg Plum - Chairperson
Director of Strategic Alliances of The Finders Staffing Solutions Rich Kenney - President Cofound & VP of TechSolutions Inc. Karly Keenan - Secretary Account Executive of Associates International Erica Crell - Planning Committee Innovation Manager of Delaware Prosperity Partnership Jonathan Arena - Treasurer President of White Clay Technology Johnny McClain Jr. Sr. Security Engineer/Business Information Security Lead of Dupont Roddy Flynn Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Sarah McBride Buyan Thyagarajan Director of Eigen X, LLC Patrick O’Neill Marketing Manager of PSCI Dave White Director of IT at Capano Management Hendrik-Jan Francke Lead Inbound Strategist of Bright Orange Thread Kristin Knowlton Senior Technical Account Executive at CSS Tec |
Thank You To Our Supporting Sponsor
Delaware Prosperity Partnership drives the state’s economic growth by attracting, expanding, and supporting businesses while building a thriving innovation and talent ecosystem.
Thank You To Our Contributing Sponsor
Future Events
Holiday Party at University and Whist Club - December 2025
AI in DE - May 4, 2026
AI in DE - May 4, 2026
About Tech Forum
Tech Forum is a non-profit association dedicated to helping the region's technology business leaders acquire the knowledge, resources, and connections needed to compete and succeed in a global economy.
"From the networking events to the opportunities to showcase our business through sponsorship, the Tech Forum has been a catalyst for growth in our organization."
PRAISE FOR TECH FORUM
Connect With UsEmail:
[email protected] Phone: +1 (302) 384-9775 Mailing Address: Tech Forum 750 Prides Crossing Suite 100 Newark, DE 19713 |
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