Montgomery Hosts Landmark Innovation Summit, Spotlighting Growth in Life Sciences and Technology

By Nick Mistretta

MONTGOMERY, NJ — May 22, 2025 — A forward-thinking vision came to life today as Montgomery Township welcomed business leaders, innovators, and state officials to its first-ever Innovation Summit, a landmark event aimed at showcasing the township’s emergence as a premier destination for life sciences and tech ventures. The event, held at the Montgomery Municipal Center, was hosted by Mayor Neena Singh and the Township Committee, and marked a pivotal step in Montgomery’s strategic push to attract high-impact innovation industries.

Attendees were treated to a seamlessly organized summit filled with vibrant networking and thought-provoking dialogue. At its core, the summit served as both a celebration of Montgomery’s growth and a call to action for businesses seeking a fertile, well-connected, and talent-rich location in New Jersey.

Mayor Singh opened the summit with the core message behind the day’s gathering:
“Montgomery: Where Opportunity Meets Innovation.”

“This isn’t just about economic growth—this is about doing it right, and doing it together,” Mayor Singh told the crowd. “We want businesses to thrive here not only because of what we offer professionally, but because of the life they and their employees can enjoy personally.”

A Region Ripe for Innovation
In her address, Singh outlined the compelling reasons why Montgomery has become a magnet for innovation:

• Strategic Location: Nestled between New York City and Philadelphia, with proximity to both Princeton and Rutgers Universities, Montgomery lies at the heart of one of the nation’s top biotech corridors.
• Exceptional Workforce: With nearly 80% of residents holding bachelor’s degrees or higher, Montgomery boasts one of the highest concentrations of scientists, engineers, statisticians, and medical professionals in the state.
• Business-Ready Infrastructure: From startup spaces to large commercial facilities, Montgomery offers diverse real estate options. The under-construction Montgomery Promenade, a 292,700-square-foot mixed-use community, will soon offer homes, restaurants, a Whole Foods, and high-end retail.
• Quality of Life: Ranked among the best places to live by Niche.com, Montgomery is recognized for its strong schools, open space, and family-friendly amenities. It recently earned the “Healthy Town Gold” designation from the NJ Health Care Quality Institute.

Innovation in Action
The Keynote speaker was New Jersey State Senator Andrew Zwicker, a physicist and former Chair of the Assembly’s Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee. Zwicker spoke about the critical role of science-based policy, education, and public-private partnerships in shaping New Jersey’s future. Senator Zwicker also serves at Princeton University’s Plasma Physics Lab.

A Growing Hub
Several established biotech firms, including Healios Labs, LifeSign, and NovaFlux, already call Montgomery home. Today’s summit provided a platform for these companies to connect with potential partners, investors, and public agencies—all under one roof.

Matthew Galan, Montgomery’s new Business Advocate, was introduced as a key liaison for companies exploring a move to the township. His role will be to guide organizations through the onboarding process and connect them with local, county, and state resources. Attendees were also directed to Montgomery’s newly launched site, innovatemontgomerynj.com, for ongoing support and information.

A Panel of Visionaries
A major highlight of the summit was a dynamic panel of speakers—business leaders, founders, and strategists—who shared expert advice on growing companies, navigating regulation, accessing funding, and attracting top talent. Their message was clear: Montgomery is well-positioned to become a thriving biotech and tech corridor.

And the local talent pool underscored that potential.

Mayor Singh took a moment to recognize several Montgomery residents recently honored as New Jersey’s Top 100 Innovators—a powerful testament to the township’s intellectual capital:

• Dr. Himanshu Bhatia, Founder and CEO of Ricovr, named a Healthcare Innovator
• Rome Chopra, Cofounder and CEO of Ziplyne, named a Technology Innovator
• Neetu Randhawa, Executive Director of TiE-NJ, named a Community Leader Innovator
• Chrissy Buteas, President & CEO of the Healthcare Institute of NJ

A Promise and a Partnership
Perhaps the most defining element of the summit was its collaborative spirit. As Mayor Singh said, “All we ask in return is that you consider Montgomery for your next phase of growth—and tell someone else about what’s happening here.”

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com