Montgomery Township to Host an Innovation Summit on May 22 — Sen. Andrew Zwicker Named Keynote Speaker

Posted April 15, 2025 — Updated May 14, 2025

Montgomery Township will host its first innovation summit on Thursday, May 22, bringing together some of the brightest minds in science, technology, and finance to support local collaboration and economic development.

With the launch of Innovate Montgomery, the township established a deliberate effort to drive progress and growth within the life sciences industry, according to Township Administrator Lori Savron. The event will include remarks and presentations from renowned leaders, panel discussions on emerging trends, and networking sessions designed to foster actionable connections. Refreshments will be provided.

Sen. Andrew Zwicker, a physicist at the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab, will be the keynote speaker. He will share insights from his work as the head of Strategic Partnerships & Public Engagement at PPPL, and how collaboration between innovators can help take science forward.

Administrator Savron said in a press release, "The summit will convene experts from industry, education, and government to share insights and explore the cutting-edge developments shaping our community,"

"The summit’s goal is to highlight the assets in our own backyard and how they can be leveraged to launch the next breakthrough in science, tech and finance."

Experts from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will attend the event. The NJEDA is responsible for growing the state's economy, supporting job creation, and fostering community development. It aims to strengthen the innovation economy, encourage collaboration between industry and academia, and translate innovations into successful high-growth businesses.

Agenda:

8:30 am – Registration, Breakfast & Networking

9 am – Welcome Address by Mayor Neena Singh, Keynote: Senator Andrew Zwicker

9:15 am – Marketing Your Business & Leveraging Partnerships – Raj Bath (NJ-India Commission)

9:30 am – Resources, Opportunities & Emerging Trends from NJEDA Moderator: Jessica Paolini, Economic Development Manager; Somerset County Panelists: Kathy Guzman (NJEDA), Dr. Lucy Partman (NJEDA), Judith Sheft (NJEDA), Samuel Wear (NJDOL Bus. Services Unit)

10:45 am – Advancing Photonics Technologies – Christine Galib  (Princeton University Office of Innovation)

11 am – Life Science & Finance Startups Moderator: Himanshu Bhatia (Ricovr Healthcare); Panelists: Lakshmi Raghavan (Healios Labs), Junaid Mian, RPh (1435 Capital)

12 noon – Lunch & Networking at Montgomery Innovation Hub (23 Orchard Road)

Visit the event website for the full agenda and panel of speakers plus the link to register.

Montgomery Mayor Neena Singh issued the following public statement: “Montgomery is a town on the rise for innovation, and this summit is an exciting step in solidifying our role in New Jersey’s economic future. We are proud to host this collaborative forum to support and inspire the next generation of life science and tech leaders.”