If you are an innovator or aspire to be one, don’t miss this chance to be inspired and informed by the successes of a team of Hispanic American inventors and entrepreneurs. Get tips on developing and protecting an impactful idea from Katia Avila and her mentor, Antonio Gamboa. Their work on the Heart & Sole home foot care system for diabetes patients helped win the Garey High School InvenTeam of Pomona, California, a Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam Grant. 

In addition, experts from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and other organizations will discuss:

• The economic impact and entrepreneurial contribution of Hispanic Americans
• The vital role of intellectual property (IP) protection
• Free legal and business development recourses

Invention and entrepreneurship have been integral to the prosperity of the United States throughout history, coming from every segment of American society. The Hispanic American community has left a permanent mark on U.S. global leadership through the creation of countless innovations. Learn how this commitment to innovation demonstrates the best of American values and explore how you can become a successful creator yourself.

If you have questions or want more information about this event, contact the Office of Innovation Outreach by email InnovationOutreach@uspto.gov or by phone 571-272-8033.

See the full agenda.

Speakers

(Biographies will be posted as the event approaches)

• Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
• Katia Avila, Co-inventor, Heart & Sole home foot care system; USC-Santa Cruz student; Software Engineer Intern, Microsoft
• Claudia Barerra, Senior Analyst, Virginia MBDA Business Center 
• Antonio Gamboa, Inventor and STEM educator; Garey High School InvenTeam Mentor
• Edgar Guerra-Erazo, MBA, MSEE, Primary Patent Examiner, USPTO
• Carlos Gutierrez, Innovation Outreach Specialist – National Programs, Office of Innovation Outreach, USPTO
• Dr. Keishla M. Tirado, Director for the Center for Innovation and Technology, Puerto Rico SBTDC 
• Dr. Jorge Valdes, Education Program Advisor, USPTO 

Hispanic Heritage Month began in June 1968 as a week of commemoration introduced in legislation authored by Congressman George E. Brown. During the civil rights movement, the need to recognize the contributions of the Hispanic American community gained traction, and awareness of the strength different cultural groups bring the United States has continued to grow. Now, every year, from September 15 to October 15, Americans celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by appreciating the history, culture, and contributions of the ancestors of American citizens who came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and South and Central America.  The September 15 starting date is important for many reasons; it is the anniversary of independence for the Latin American countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. Additionally, the independence days of Mexico and Chile fall on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Dia de la Raza, or Indigenous People’s Day, also falls within this month on October 10. 

And don't forget: The USPTO offers inspirational and educational events, open to all, that feature successful innovators from a wide variety of backgrounds. Come learn about intellectual property, innovation, and valuable resources available to independent inventors, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and underrepresented or underserved populations at our "Innovator events for everyone" webpage: www.uspto.gov/innovationforall.

The “Hispanic Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program” series is presented by the USPTO’s Office of Innovation Outreach. For more information, please contact Innovation

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please submit your request to the contact information above.

The content and opinions shared by our guest speakers during this program are neither those of the USPTO nor an endorsement of any persons, products, programs, or policies mentioned therein.