The first-ever U.S.-Poland Innovation Program (PLUS-IP) will be launched on November 17, 2014 at the InterContinental hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, California. PLUS-IP will expand bilateral innovation cooperation, and facilitate links between our academic communities, industry, high-tech companies, and governments with the goal of fostering cooperation on joint venture and joint research and development projects. Sectors of emphasis include defense, energy, health, and science and technology. To foster innovation opportunities through PLUS-IP, the Government of Poland plans to establish several 10-year venture capital funds, providing a substantial portion of the financing, to implement worthy projects.

This event will feature an opening ceremony from 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. with keynote remarks from Scott A. Nathan, Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, and Prof. Wlodzislaw Duch, Deputy Minister at the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education. A statement of intent will also be signed by Special Representative Nathan and Deputy Minister Duch. Other senior U.S. and Polish officials will be available for comments to the media.

The opening ceremony and signing is open to press coverage as follows:

Pre-set time for Cameras: 1:00 pm at the Grand Chateau meeting room at the InterContinental hotel in Century City, 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067.

Final access time for writers and stills: 1:15 pm at the Grand Chateau meeting room at the InterContinental hotel in Century City, 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067.

Media representatives may attend this event upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. government-issued identification card with photo; (2) a media-issued photo identity card; or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by official photo identification (driver’s license or passport).

Inquiries for this event may be directed to:

Amanda Johnson, U.S. Department of State, at JohnsonAL@state.gov.

Join the online conversation and learn about U.S. economic success stories in Poland with #PLUSIP.