ANN ARBOR—Reporters are invited to attend two one-day conferences at the University of Michigan.

“Muddle in the Middle: Understanding New Enterprise Development from University-Based Discoveries” will be held Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the second floor of the Michigan League on the U-M Central Campus. Registration and continental breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m., and a reception follows the conference at 5:15 p.m. in the West Conference Room, fourth floor, Rackham Building. Sponsored by the U-M Office of the Vice President for Research, the forum will examine the complex process of involving venture capital in the creation of new businesses to commercialize university-based technologies.

Panelists, including university faculty and representatives from university technology transfer offices and venture capital firms, will present their views on the process. Gary Bachula, acting undersecretary for technology, U.S. Department of Commerce, will address the conference at 4 p.m. in the Assembly Hall, Rackham Building. Admission to the forum is free, but registration is required. Reporters The aim of these meetings is to foster collaboration in the attraction, development and expansion of new businesses in the state. In