EVENT
Cream of the crop
The winner of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s oldest entrepreneurship competition will be selected from eight finalists at MIT’s $100K Launch Finals. One startup will be awarded a grand prize of $100,000 in non-equity funding. Wednesday, 7 to 9 p.m., Kresge Auditorium, 48 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Free.
EVENT
Innovative small businesses
The Small Business Association of New England will conclude its New England Innovation Awards Program at a ceremony on Thursday. A local technology, manufacturing, service, non-profit, or retail company will be named the contest’s winner. Michael Shaughnessy, a vice president at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, will deliver the keynote speech. Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m., The Westin Hotel, 70 Third Ave., Waltham. $200.
CONFERENCE
Soldier innovation in New England
The New England Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association is sponsoring a conference about soldier innovation initiatives in the New England region. The conference’s speakers will focus on two research initiatives, the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America at MIT, and the Soldier Squad Performance Research Institute. Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St., Lowell. $200 to $325.
PANEL
Gene therapy, editing at UMass
The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council is sponsoring a panel discussion and networking event on gene therapy. Attendees will learn about UMass Medical School’s gene therapy research on diseases involving the central nervous system, ophthalmology, cancer, and more. Wednesday, 5 to 7:30 p.m., MassBio, 300 Technology Square, eighth floor, Cambridge. Free.
PANEL
Clean energy, clean cities
TechSandBox is sponsoring a panel discussion on how municipalities can deploy new technologies and private partnerships to help promote energy resilience. The panel is moderated by Patrick Roche, the energy coordinator at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council’s clean energy division. Thursday, 5:30 p.m., TechSandBox, 105B South St., Hopkinton. $25 to $35.
Events of note? E-mail us at agenda@globe.com.
