Brookhaven lab offering seminars to business startups

Brookhaven National Lab in Upton is extending a hand to business people interested in starting up small technology companies.

The giant lab is offering a series of two-hour seminars, known as the Entrepreneurs' Foundation Workshop Series, that are open to anyone, but the focus will be on technology, said Walter Copan, who directs the lab's technology commercialization and partnerships.

The first seminar at the lab Oct. 25 drew about 50 people. The next, set for Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. at the lab's Brookhaven Center, will focus on intellectual property and how to protect it.

Copan said the seminars will continue well into the future.

"The mission of the lab is to move discoveries into commercial use and deployment," Copan said.

"But under the current economic environment it also raises the issue of job creation," he said.

The seminar program is being run by BNL, Stony Brook University and the state Small Business Development Center at Stony Brook.

There is a $10 fee.

Anyone interested may call 631-344-4919.