Winter 2020
BIC News Berkshire Innovation Center
We Can Do More Together
Contents
Skills Capital Grant Awarded
Berkshire Innovation Center Grand Opening
Feigenbaum Foundation Awards Funding
Member & Partner Updates
Upcoming Events
Girls Who Code: BIC Chapter BIC Coins
Berkshire Innovation Center Grand Opening
After years of hard work by so many in our community, we are thrilled to officially open the doors to the brand new Berkshire Innovation Center.
The BIC is a member-driven organization that aims to accelerate the innovation and growth of existing and new companies, with the ultimate goal of spurring economic growth, jobs, and investment in our region. The BIC offers world-class R&D facilities and equipment, interactive training and conferencing rooms, and shared access to advanced technology. We can do more together. We are excited for what the future of the BIC holds in store for the region, but want to pause, enjoy this milestone, and thank all of you who helped bring this project to fruition.
Special Thanks To
PEDA
PITTSFIELD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Special thanks to those who made our Grand Opening possible
A catalyst for economic development and leadership in the Innovation Economy.
Connect With Us 45 Woodlawn Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201
berkshireinnovationcenter.com 413.449.1100 berkinnovation berkshireinnovationcenter berkshireinnovationcenter berkshire-innovation-center
Member & Partner Updates What’s New Within the BIC Community BIC Welcomes New Members As the BIC opens its doors, we are pleased to welcome several new companies into our network of Members. We now count 20 Members and 10 Academic Partners, and look forward to growing those numbers over the coming months.
Berkshire Talent Accelerator (BeTA)
EMA Partners with Williams to Build Aerospace Test Chamber
In collaboration with private member companies and academic partners across the region, a working group at the BIC has launched the Berkshire Talent Accelerator (BeTA).
With the support of the City of Pittsfield, Electro Magnetic Applications (EMA) announced their intention to move into the BIC in 2020 and install a state-of-the-art aerospace testing chamber in the Innovation Center.
BIC to Host GD Event: Innovating for the Future
BeTA’s aims to ensure the Berkshires have the technical and professional talent required to drive growth in the county’s reemerging STEM and manufacturing sectors. By leveraging the BIC’s network of colleges and universities for recruiting talent and working with BIC Members to plan the technical training requirements for their short and long-term expansion goals, the group aspires to make Berkshire County the new STEM capital of Massachusetts, with the BIC at its nexus.
On August 4th, General Dynamics Mission Systems will host Innovating for the Future at the Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield, MA.
Alira Health Expands Acceleration Office Hours Program to the BIC
The Berkshires are a key location for General Dynamics Mission Systems. This event is aimed at furthering their relationship with the community through strengthening the local industrial sector and finding local top talent to join their team. Those invited to the event include the company’s many suppliers, as well as potential employees looking for insights into the culture of the General Dynamics workplace. Additionally, Innovating for the Future hosts presentations from local community groups aimed at further educating attendees about the many wonderful opportunities in Berkshire County.
Alira Health, a leading international healthcare and life sciences advisory firm, has expanded its Acceleration Office Hours Program to BIC Members. Alira Health will provide free monthly open office hours at it’s new facility in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Alira Health’s team of strategists, consultants, bankers, and scientists will be provide analysis, recommendations, and strategy across the product and business lifecycle, including regulatory, clinical, reimbursement, market access, business development, banking, and strategy. alirahealth.com
This fall, Steven Miller, Professor of Mathematics at Williams College, will teach the “Applications of Mathematics in the Real World” course with significant involvement from Justin McKennon of EMA. In the course, McKennon and Miller will work together to have students physically solve some of the applied math problems that EMA faces on a daily basis. “This begins to bridge the gap between academia and industry. The BIC is the conduit for this project. This would serve as a landmark blueprint that other companies can follow.” - Justin McKennon Not only will this expose students to industry, but it will require them to rely heavily on non-traditional problem solving skills that have real applications and make them better innovators. EMA became the BIC’s first full time tenant company in late 2019.
EMA
3D Simulation - Consulting - Measurement
Special thanks to Alira Senior Partner and former BIC board member Tom Sommer who was instrumental in this initiative.
Member & Partner Updates cont.
MountainOne announces a new multi-year partnership in support of the BIC. MountainOne has made a multiyear commitment as a Sponsor and Associate Member of the BIC. This strategic investment will facilitate new high-growth programming at the BIC, such as the newly launched Berkshire Talent Accelerator. With this sponsorship, MountainOne supports the BIC’s development efforts, as well as acting as the BIC’s ambassador for its charitable mission. “Innovation is key to growth for the Berkshires, and organizations like the BIC are critical in the new economy. We are thrilled for the potential that it brings to our region.” - Jonathan Denmark
The MountainOne Pavilion will serve as an informal gathering spot as well as a place to host events, and is an important visual component in the contemporary design of the BIC building.
BIC Coins The BIC Coin was designed and printed here at the BIC. We are thrilled that those who joined us for our Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting on February 28th received something made at our new Rapid Prototyping Lab. As we grow, we envision the “BIC Coin” as a great way to engage our community get even more involved in our programming and networking opportunities.
Denmark is MountainOne Insurance’s President & COO and a BIC Advisory Board Member.
To thank MountainOne for its generosity, BIC has officially named the front terrace the MountainOne Pavilion.
Teach a Girl to Code & She’ll Change the World
- BERKSHIRE COUNTY -
Immediately acting upon the goal to make Berkshire County the STEM capital of Massachusetts, a group led by BIC Members from General Dynamics and VidMod will launch a Berkshire chapter of Girls Who Code this spring at the BIC.
This project will begin with a pilot run at the BIC, but the ultimate goal is to promote Girls Who Code chapters across Berkshire County, using the BIC as a central hub to bring students together. The inspiration behind this model comes from Berkshire Robotics Challenge, which brings students to the BIC to learn, collaborate, and compete in Lego Robotics challenges.
Skills Capital Grant Awarded to BIC Created by Massachusetts’ Workforce Skills Cabinet, the Skills Capital Grant Program awards grant money for the acquisition of advanced equipment that supports technical and vocational training initiatives. With an award of $200,000, this grant supported the BIC’s purchase of the Big Rep Pro, a large format, open source, 3D printer. This printer dramatically adds to the prototyping and training capabilities available to BIC Members and Academic Partners.
Krystle Blake, General Dynamics Mission Systems Integration & Melissa Nock, VidMob Frontend Engineer.
Girls Who Code is a national organization; their mission is to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a programmer looks like and does.
Dive Technologies, one of the BIC’s newest members, is an American, veteran-owned, small business that produces autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) for military and civilian operations. Dive is eager to utilize the Big Rep Pro in their production of AUV parts designed to withstand long assignments at oceanic depths.
Feigenbaum Foundation Awards Funding to BIC In 1988, Armand and Donald Feigenbaum, founders of the Pittsfield-based General Systems Corporation, established the Feigenbaum Foundation, which, since its inception, has donated millions of dollars to various projects throughout Berkshire County. The Foundation focuses its financial awards primarily on developing the academic, medical, cultural, and civic institutions of Berkshire County. The Feigenbaum Foundation was responsible for funding the Berkshire Museum’s massive 2008 renovation. This project brought about the creation of the Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation, a large exhibit space that celebrates the history and future of innovation in Berkshire County. In January of this year, the Feigenbaum Foundation generously donated $50,000 to the BIC to help Berkshire County’s next chapter of innovation come to fruition. The BIC is grateful for the support and honored to be among the prestigious organizations the Foundation has chosen to fund.
Board of Directors B. Stephen Boyd, Chair Boyd Technologies
Peter Stasiowski, Vice-Chair Interprint
Bryon Sherman, Treasurer Smith & Watson
David Valicenti, Secretary
Cohen, Kinne, Valicenti & Cook
David Allen Sinicon Plastics James Brosnan
McCann Technical School
Douglas Crane
New Dalton Group
Phillip Dore
Join Us at the BIC Upcoming Events March 10 / 8:30am-10am
General Dynamics Mission Systems
Thomas Dunton
In the Works Summer 2020
MassMEP & the “BIC” Grant Information Session
BIC-NIC 2020
An information session to learn about MassMEP’s experiential-based training and solution-based support services.
Details TBA
April 7 / 11:30am-1:30pm
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Lunch & Learn An overview of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) security requirements required for DoD supply chain manufactures and the options available to ensure compliance. April 7 / 11:30am-1:30pm
EforAll Berkshire County Showcase & Celebration A celebratory event marking the end of the first 3 months of the Accelerator Program. August 4
Innovating for the Future: A General Dynamics Mission Systems Event This event has three primary objectives: educating GD’s local suppliers, hiring top talent, and engaging with the Berkshire community.
Join the BIC team at the 1st Annual BIC Community Day this summer.
Fall 2020
Future of Work Conference Focusing on how technology is changing and how industry interacts and reacts, the nature of work, labor markets, education and training, and economic development, this event brings together recognized thought leaders to discuss opportunities and challenges in promoting economic transformation, stimulating entrepreneurship, and developing strategies for the Berkshires.
SABIC
James Galipeau Intertek PTL
Asish Ghosh
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Brian Johnson MassMEDIC Ellen Kennedy
Berkshire Community College
Alan LeBihan Unistress
Scott Lundy
Sonoco Plastics
Peter Reinhart UMass Amherst
Stephen Sheppard Williams College
Adrienne Wootters MCLA
Conference Partners include the Berkshire Innovation Center, Williams College, BCC, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, MCLA, 1Berkshire, and other partners to be announced.
BIC Staff
The conference launches the Berkshire Technology Initiative, an ongoing series of educational and solution-oriented events at the BIC centered on emerging technologies and market trends.
Business Administrator
Ben Sosne Director
Denise Johns
Steve Longpre
Operations Manager
Zachary Armet Intern