The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) invites you to a series of forums on the state of higher education in New Jersey. Three events will be held:
 

  • Forum on Higher Education, Industry, and the Economy; Tuesday, November 13, 2018 from 3pm – 6pm at Middlesex County College in the Parkview Room in West Hall (2600 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, NJ 08837)
 
  • Forum on College Access and Affordability; Monday, November 19, 2018 from 3pm – 6pm at Rowan University in the Chamberlain Student Center Ballroom (201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028)
 
  • Forum on Promoting Student Success in Higher Education; Tuesday, November 20, 2018 from 3pm – 6pm at Rutgers University – Newark, in the Essex Room in the Paul Robeson Campus Center (350 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Newark, NJ 07102)

The program will begin promptly at 3pm with remarks and a panel discussion. Opportunities for questions and feedback will be provided throughout the event.

Join OSHE LIVE using the NJGov YouTube channel- visit the OSHE website the morning of the event to be directly linked to the livestream channel.

Have questions? Tweet @NJHigherEd using #NJHigherEd and #askOSHE.

Refreshments will be served.

Click here for more information or to register.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority's next public Board Meeting will be held on Friday, November 9, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the EDA offices at 36 West State Street, Trenton. A copy of the proposed agenda can be found prior to the meeting at www.njeda.gov/Board. Following the Board Meeting, minutes and the full agenda will also be available at www.njeda.gov/Board.

The City of Trenton Taxation Building Planning Board Courtesy Review meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 8th has been canceled due to lack of a quorum.

FoundersandFundersFall2018.jpg
Tech Council Ventures Managing Partner Stephen Socolof (left) meets with Designity Founder and CEO Shahrouz Varshabi and Business Development Specialist Marco Calabrese during today's New Jersey Founders & Funders.
 

Newark N.J. (November 1, 2018) – Entrepreneurs and investors gathered at Newark Venture Partners (NVP) today for the semi-annual New Jersey Founders & Funders event, hosted by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).

The event facilitates one-on-one “speed dating” sessions so that technology and life sciences companies can discuss strategies, business models, and funding opportunities with potential investors. New Jersey Founders & Funders supports companies at their earliest stages and highlights the collaborative nature of the Garden State’s innovation ecosystem.

Governor Phil Murphy made opening remarks at today’s event.

“The interplay among entrepreneurs and investors is key to spurring the growth of emerging companies and is a critical component of our vision to make New Jersey the State of Innovation,” Governor Murphy said. “New Jersey Founders & Funders is a prime example of the Garden State’s innovation ecosystem in action and we look forward to hearing about subsequent meetings and partnerships that result from today’s event.”

NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan noted that today’s New Jersey Founders & Funders is being held in Newark to showcase the city as a hub of innovation. NVP, an early-stage venture firm, is located in the same building as the headquarters of Audible, the world’s leading provider and seller of downloadable audiobooks and other spoken-word entertainment. NVP was founded by Don Katz, the founder and CEO of Audible, who is a passionate advocate for Newark’s innovation economy. Both NVP and Audible are part of a community-wide resurgence that is attracting technology companies of all sizes to Newark.

Attendees at today’s event also heard about NJEDA programs and initiatives created to drive innovation and support early-stage companies as they grow and thrive in the Garden State. These include the NJ Ignite Program and the Angel Investor Tax Credit Program, among others. In addition, they heard about Governor Murphy’s recently-proposed New Jersey Innovation Evergreen Fund, which is designed to supercharge the return of venture capital to the Garden State. The Governor’s proposal will create a fund to invest in early-stage companies and ensure the companies benefit from mentorship and support as they grow.

“Governor Murphy’s plan to re-establish New Jersey as a leader in innovation centers around a commitment to supporting young technology and life sciences companies,” Sullivan said. “We are proud to support the Governor’s vision by offering current and proposed NJEDA resources crafted to propel New Jersey’s innovation economy forward.”  

Seventeen angel and venture capital investors from around the Mid-Atlantic Region engaged with entrepreneurs at today’s New Jersey Founders & Funders event. In addition to Newark Venture Partners, participants included Martinson Ventures, Goldin Ventures, and Jumpstart NJ Angel Network.

Three companies that are currently part of NVP Labs, NVP's bridge-to-seed accelerator program, participated in today’s event. The Rutgers Business School in Newark provides NVP with 25,000 square feet of space rent-free.
Upsider and Talentegy have both developed online platforms that use artificial intelligence (AI) to more effectively connect human resource agents with ideal job candidates. Upsider helps recruiters identify and connect with the best candidates, while Talentegy monitors the candidate experience and provides data-driven insights that can improve the recruitment process. 
StackSource offers a solution helping developers and investors seeking commercial real estate loans through its digital marketplace that matches deals to the more than 250 participating lenders, integrates industry data for instant diligence, and manages the loan origination process end-to-end.

Additionally, Designity and Peace of Mind Company (POM) graduated from previous NVP Labs cohorts. Both companies are currently located at NVP.

Designity describes itself as “the world's first virtual design agency that provides clients with design agency quality at the marketplace rate.” Using Designity’s digital platform, local emerging designers complete projects under professional creative art directors’ supervision for quality assurance. More than 6,500 local designers have already completed over 1,000 projects using the company’s technology.

POM provides personal safety solutions to higher education and health care clients through a hardware/software system that connects users to local emergency services with the click of a button. 
Emerging New Jersey technology and life sciences companies interested in attending a future New Jersey Founders & Funders event can apply online at https://application.njeda.com/tls/.

To learn about the various resources available to support the technology industry, visit https://www.njeda.gov/tls and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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TRENTON, N.J. (October 26, 2018) – The collaborative nature of New Jersey’s innovation ecosystem will be on display as entrepreneurs from more than two dozen early-stage companies pitch to potential investors at next week’s New Jersey Founders & Funders. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will host the November 1 event at Newark Venture Partners (NVP) to highlight the Brick City’s emergence as a hub of innovation.

NVP, an early-stage venture firm, is housed in the same building as Audible, the world’s leading provider and seller of spoken-word entertainment. Audible Founder & Chief Executive Officer Don Katz, who founded NVP, is a strong advocate for Newark’s innovation economy. Both NVP and Audible are dedicated to catalyzing development of the city’s technology ecosystem. Together with strategic partners in higher-education, as well as the public and private sector, they are part of a community-wide resurgence that is leading to the attraction of technology companies of all sizes to Newark.

NVP is a frequent participant in New Jersey Founders & Funders events. Held semi-annually, New Jersey Founders & Funders enables early-stage technology and life sciences companies to meet with angel and venture capital investors in 10-minute, one-on-one “speed dating” sessions. These meetings lead to invaluable feedback for entrepreneurs regarding strategy, business models, and funding opportunities.

For investors like NVP, New Jersey Founders & Funders offers an opportunity to learn about the pipeline of innovative companies growing in the Garden State.

"Newark Venture Partners is committed to supporting entrepreneurs that want to grow their businesses in New Jersey, and we are always interested to hear from the startups that come through the NJEDA's Annual Founders and Funders events,” NVP Managing Partner Thomas Wisniewski said. “The founders chosen to participate are high-caliber, and it's a great opportunity to network with fellow investors that are active in New Jersey's tech ecosystem." 

NVP is a leading early-stage venture fund that helps innovative entrepreneurs build technology-focused companies. Its direct investment arm invests up to $1 million in Seed and Series A companies, and its bridge-to-seed accelerator program, NVP Labs, invests in up to 10 startups twice a year. The NJEDA made a $1 million investment in 2017 to support NVP and its portfolio of entrepreneurs. Investing alongside the EDA are other key industry partners in the city including Prudential, Panasonic, RWJBarnabas Health, Dun & Bradstreet, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Fidelco Realty Group, Audible, and TD Bank.

“To avoid a common pitch mistake that trips up founders, focus on the messaging on each page before you fill the page with words and graphics,” Wisniewski advises entrepreneurs. “What is the one thought you are trying to impart? What are the three facts that support it? Remove everything else.” 

@NewJerseyEDA also asked two other investors participating in next week’s event for their advice:

Philadelphia-based Rittenhouse Ventures focuses on early-growth business-to-business software companies across the Mid-Atlantic region, generally with $1 to $10 million in revenue.  Comprised of active, hands-on investors, Rittenhouse typically invests in small $1 to $3 million financing rounds in capital-efficient companies. 

“As a very active New Jersey investor, we love to see the diversity of companies across the state that gather for this event,” Rittenhouse Ventures Managing Partner Saul Richter said. “I always recommend that entrepreneurs describe their business, and the stage that it’s in, within the first minute of a pitch. Also, make sure you have an ask, and get to that in the pitch.”

Delaware Crossing Investor Group (DCIG) is a network of former and current executives and entrepreneurs who provide counsel and capital to early-stage companies. Most of DCIG’s investments are in the Mid-Atlantic Region and often in conjunction with other angel groups and early-stage venture capitalists. DCIG meets monthly alternating between Doylestown, PA and Princeton, NJ.    

DCIG Angel Investor Benjamin David Novak noted that New Jersey Founders & Funders provides a forum to meet with only those companies in DCIG’s investment “sweet spot,” allowing for more quality time with each.

“One of the most effective ways that entrepreneurs can increase their chances of receiving investment from an angel group is understanding that group’s investment preferences and limitations, such as industry, geography, stage, and deal structure,” Novak said. “Entrepreneurs should quickly and concisely convey how their investment opportunity is a good fit.”

The following investors have already registered for next week’s New Jersey Founders & Funders event:

BrandProject
Delaware Crossing Investor Group
Edison Partners
Goldin Ventures
FF Ventures
HBS Angels
Jumpstart NJ Angel Network
Keiretsu Forum
Martinson Ventures
New York Angels
Newark Venture Partners
NJIT Highlanders
Rittenhouse Ventures
Robin Hood Ventures
RTP Ventures
Tech Council Ventures
Touchdown Ventures
To learn about the multitude of resources available to help technology and life sciences companies thrive, visit https://www.njeda.gov/tls and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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A meeting of the Capital City Redevelopment Corporation (CCRC) Board has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 10:00 am in the EDA Board Room, 36 West State Street, Trenton, NJ.
 
A copy of the proposed agenda can be found at http://web.njeda.com/ccrc/page.aspx?id=2461

EDA Also Announces Second Round of Innovation Challenge

 

TRENTON, N.J. (October 11, 2018) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) today announced a program that will provide planning grants for communities to develop solutions for repurposing local vacant or underutilized commercial and retail properties. The program advances Governor Phil Murphy’s commitment to “Investing in Communities” –  one of the four pillars of his plan announced last week for a Stronger and Fairer New Jersey economy.

“The 21st Century Redevelopment Program presents an opportunity for communities to focus on creative ideas for repurposing dormant properties in ways that contribute to the economy rather than drain valuable resources,” said EDA CEO Tim Sullivan. “Our expectation is to not only provide funding that will help address a particular community’s specific challenges, but also identify strategies to share with similarly situated communities.”

Suburban offices and shopping malls that boomed during the 1980s and 1990s have since become empty as a number of demographic and economic trends have resulted in an outmigration of jobs and population. Communities that are home to these empty properties are experiencing loss of tax revenues, costs of maintaining infrastructure and roads around these properties, and a lack of resources to solve these issues.

The 21st Century Redevelopment Program will launch as a pilot round of up to $250,000 in funding available in the form of planning grants of up to $50,000 per recipient. Communities can apply for funding through the 21st Century Redevelopment Program to support ideas that focus on a number of elements including, but not limited to:
 

  • Determining cost-benefits of retrofitting, redeveloping or regreening a property or properties;
  • Driving economic growth for the facility and region;
  • Creating greater social, economic, and environmental sustainability;
  • Expanding affordable and multi-family housing;
  • Attracting employers and a diverse, talented workforce
  • Expanding entrepreneurial opportunities and supporting local businesses;
  • Promoting walkable neighborhoods and improving accessibility and mobility;
  • Connecting to public transportation; and
  • Improving livability and healthy outcomes for local population.

 
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and will be scored by an evaluation committee based on publicly available scoring criteria. Projects that achieve a minimum score will be recommended for grant funding. Applications will be evaluated on a first come, first serve basis, according to the date the EDA receives the completed application.

As a condition to receiving the grant funding, grantees will be required to participate in at least two events hosted by the EDA to share lessons learned from the planning process to foster a dynamic discussion about repurposing stranded assets and to assist similarly situated municipalities.

Also announced today by the EDA, a second round of funding through the Innovation Challenge will be made available for communities for the development of economic development plans to augment their local innovation ecosystems. This announcement supports “Investment in Communities” and “Making NJ the State of Innovation” – both pillars of Governor Murphy’s economic development strategic plan.

The decision to make a second round of funding available through the Innovation Challenge comes as a result of a successful pilot round first introduced in July, which resulted in nine communities being awarded planning contracts to help advance a variety of innovative proposals. The nine communities receiving planning contracts through the pilot round were: the City of Bridgeton, the City of New Brunswick, Passaic County, the City of Trenton, Atlantic County, the City of Atlantic City, Camden County, Union Township, and Monmouth County. 

Through this second round of the Innovation Challenge, up to $500,000 will be available in the form of grants of up to $100,000 each for plans that may focus on several key areas including, but not limited to: 
 

  • Increasing opportunities to grow or expand clusters of dynamic companies;
  • Encouraging the growth and expansion of incubators and other innovation-supportive real estate spaces;
  • Providing STEM training and connections to careers; and 
  • Building a culture of entrepreneurship. 

 
Applications for the 21st Century Redevelopment Program and the second round of the Innovation Challenge are expected to be available beginning in November.

For Governor Murphy's full economic plan, please visit: /wp-content/uploads/pdfs/StrongerAndFairerNewJerseyEconomyReport.pdf
 
To learn more about EDA resources for businesses call EDA Customer Care at 609-858-6767 or visit https://www.njeda.gov  and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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The New Jersey Economic Development Authority's next public Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 10 a.m. at the EDA offices at 36 West State Street, Trenton. A copy of the proposed agenda can be found prior to the meeting at www.njeda.gov/Board. Following the Board Meeting, minutes and the full agenda will also be available at www.njeda.gov/Board.

TRENTON, N.J. (September 28, 2018) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“Authority”) is seeking ideas from qualified entities with perspectives on offshore wind port infrastructure and supply chain development in New Jersey. Parties such as offshore wind developers, suppliers, industrial real estate developers, port operators, port authorities, other development agencies, and local governments are encouraged to respond to a Request for Ideas (RFI) posted yesterday by the EDA https://www.njeda.gov/offshorewindRFI.
 
The purpose of the RFI is to collect facts, information, and ideas that will help the EDA better understand the offshore wind industry’s port infrastructure and supply chain development requirements. If it is determined that there is sufficient need for State government support (financial, coordination, etc.), the information gathered by the RFI may be used to develop financing or development programs to support offshore wind port infrastructure and supply chain development. One of the goals of such financing/development tools or programs is to lower the levelized cost of energy (“LCOE”) for offshore wind energy.

“Governor Murphy’s vision for a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy includes investment in clean energy infrastructure to support job creation in growth industries like wind energy,” said EDA CEO Tim Sullivan. “New Jersey is uniquely situated to assume a leadership position in the offshore wind industry, which presents a once in a generation opportunity for new, good-paying jobs in the state.”
 
Respondents to this RFI are encouraged to respond within the context of the broader medium-to-long term regional pipeline of projects expected on the US East Coast, which exceeds 8,000 MWs in the Mid-Atlantic region (3,500 MW for New Jersey).
 
“This RFI is the next step in EDA’s support for the industry and demonstrates our commitment to listen to, and actively partner with, private sector companies across the offshore wind supply chain,” said EDA Senior Vice President for Economic Transformation Brian Sabina. “We welcome experienced offshore wind professionals to share insights that will enable the state to help accelerate offshore wind growth in New Jersey and the region.”
 
Potential RFI respondents may submit clarifying questions to EDAProcurementQA@njeda.com by 11:59 PM EST, October 5, 2018 . Answers to these questions will be publicly posted along with this RFI on the Authority’s website: https://www.njeda.gov/offshorewindRFI

Complete responses to the RFI are due by MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2018 on or before 11:59 PM (EST).

This RFI is independent of the solicitation issued on September 17, 2018 by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, for development of the first 1,100 MW of offshore wind in New Jersey.

To learn more about EDA resources for businesses call EDA Customer Care at 609-858-6767 or visit https://www.njeda.gov  and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.