Graduate students from around the globe, recently submitted business plans in the 7th Annual Licensing Executive Society (LES) Foundation Competition. The competition, hosted by the LES Foundation, the Licensing Executives Society of USA & Canada and the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI), attracts student entrepreneurs who submit business plans that focus on groundbreaking technologies and services.
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP is a donor of the in-kind prizes and Art Rose, partner in the firm’s Orange County office is President of the LES Foundation. The LES Foundation was established to increase awareness and understanding of the licensing of intellectual property rights and to communicate the critical role licensing plays in bringing creativity and innovation to commercial marketplace.
“We are happy to support this international competition as it allows us to educate future business leaders about the importance of IP,” said Art Rose.
The $10,000 grand prize winner of the competition was Silicon Solar Solutions LLC from the University of Arkansas for their plan to launch a patented method for creating large grain polysilicon to increase the efficiency of solar panels while also reducing manufacturing costs. The Encase™ team from Swinburne University of Technology in Australia received the $5,000 LESI Global Award for their plan to offer a uniquely designed series of above-ground bushfire shelters.
Each of the runner up teams received $1,000. All of the teams received an all expense paid trip to attend the LES Spring Meeting and will select from a pool of in-kind prizes worth up to $85,000. Knobbe Martens was among several law firms who donated to the competition.
For more information on the LES Foundation and the competition visit www.lesfoundation.org
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP has over 275 lawyers and scientists firm-wide and dedicates its practice to all aspects of intellectual property law. Knobbe Martens serves a diverse group of clients from multinational corporations to emerging businesses of all stages. The firm is headquartered in Orange County, California, has offices in San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C. and enjoys an international reputation for excellence. More information about the firm can be found at www.knobbe.com