Middlesex County Hosts 2025 Business Summit Thriving Through Change: Business, Innovation, and the Future of Work

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MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ - On Thursday, October 9, Middlesex County hosted its annual Business Summit at the Heldrich Hotel & Conference Center in New Brunswick, bringing together over 500 business leaders, entrepreneurs, and government officials from across the region. This year's theme, Thriving Through Change: Business, Innovation, and the Future of Work, empowered attendees with strategies for leveraging best business practices, tools, emerging trends, and technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, for workforce development, fueling business growth, and creating new opportunities.

Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios and Middlesex County Commissioner Chanelle Scott McCullum welcomed attendees with opening remarks ahead of the day's dynamic conversations. Dr. William F. Tate IV, renowned social scientist and recently appointed president of Rutgers University, delivered the keynote address, highlighting how Middlesex County and Rutgers University will continue to work together to expand and strengthen their efforts in research, education, entrepreneurship, and economic development, especially with the upcoming Health and Life Sciences Exchange (HELIX) opening in New Brunswick in 2026.

"The Middlesex County Business Summit serves as a vital space for leaders to connect, collaborate, and share ideas that drive growth and innovation," said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. "Here in Middlesex County, innovation isn't just encouraged-it's embedded in everything we do, from our businesses and industries to our schools and communities. As a County, we are committed to providing the resources, relationships, and opportunities our diverse business ecosystem needs to grow and succeed today and well into the future."

"Middlesex County delivers more than a vision-we deliver results," said Middlesex County Commissioner Chanelle Scott McCullum, Chair of the Economic Development Committee. "Through the leadership of our Office of Business Engagement, we're forging meaningful connections, strengthening partnerships across the public and private sectors, and providing practical solutions that help businesses thrive. As Chair of the County's Economic Development Committee, I've seen firsthand how the Office of Business Engagement supports businesses of all sizes and industries, building the strong foundation needed for long-term success."

"At Rutgers, the edge isn't theoretical-it's translational," said Rutgers University President Dr. William F. Tate IV. "From molecules to markets, we're building a biomedical ecosystem that includes discovery, clinical translation, manufacturing, and supply chain contributions. Opportunities abound for Rutgers and Middlesex County to redefine the nation's biomedical edge."

The summit featured two panels, moderated by Tom Bergeron, Founder, Owner, and Editor-in-Chief of BINJE (Business in New Jersey Everyday), which showcased how businesses can thrive by focusing on workforce development, building partnerships, and accessing funding. Panels included:

• From Classroom to Career: Education Driving Talent and Business Development in the Age of AI: With a focus on AI workforce development, panelists shared how government, business, and education are currently working together to build and retain a talent pipeline, ready to meet current and future business needs through the creation of AI curricula, training, and career pathways.

• Panelists: John Pulomena, Middlesex County Administrator, Henrik Elmgren, Enterprise Architech, AGT and SHI, and Naveena Yanamala, MS, PhD, FASE, Leader in AI & Cardiovascular Research, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS), Rutgers University

• The Future of Funding: Panelists shared insights on how life sciences and technology businesses can differentiate themselves to stand out in today's competitive market when seeking funding from investors, banks, and venture capital firms.

• Panelists: Nancy Tyrell, Director of Academic Partnerships, Portal Innovations, and Arda Ural, PhD, Americas Life Sciences Leader, Ernst & Young

Following the panel discussions, attendees explored the Business Resource Area, which showcased a wide range of resources offered by Middlesex County to support businesses. Participating offices and organizations included the Middlesex County Department of Economic Development; Middlesex County Office of Networking Operations Center and DataCity; Middlesex County Golf Courses; Middlesex County RIDE; Keep Middlesex Moving; REPLENISH and Feeding Middlesex County; Middlesex College; and Middlesex County Magnet Schools.

Attendees then participated in a breakout session to gain insights and tools that can further enhance their businesses on a topic of their choice. The breakout sessions included:

• Entrepreneurial Success, Navigating in Today's Environment: An inspiring conversation where entrepreneurs shared invaluable strategies on how they successfully grew their businesses and the role the County played in helping them get new opportunities, overcome challenges, and build connections in their business journey.

• Moderator: Sho Islam, Director of the Office of Business Engagement, Middlesex County
• Speakers: John Huang, PhD, Founder & CEO of TheWell Bioscience, Inc., John McGuckin, CEO of CLIO Snacks, and Ariane Vasilatis, Co-Founder & CEO of Zena Therapeutics

• Artificial Intelligence Workshop: An interactive opportunity led by a Grow with Google Coach, where attendees learned how to leverage Artificial Intelligence for their businesses, by understanding the fundamentals of AI and applying AI-powered tools to amplify their growth, improve customer experiences, and create more opportunities.

• Speaker: Soleil Meade, Pennsylvania Grow with Google Coach and CEO of Soleil Branding Essentials

The summit concluded with a networking reception hosted by the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, where attendees enjoyed making new connections and forging potential partnerships over light refreshments.

Since its launch in 2017, the Middlesex County Business Summit has become a premier business networking event in New Jersey. For more information about Middlesex County's economic development vision and its key industry sectors, life sciences, food innovation, and autonomous technology, visit middlesexcountynj.gov/biz and visit middlesexcountynj.gov/businesssummit for more takeaways from the event.

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