A coterie of people have been gathering quietly to discuss a draft of a study charged with developing a regional (not just Oakland-centric) strategy for creating a vibrant technology industry.

The study, commissioned by the Greater Oakland Keystone Innovation Zone, was conducted over several months since last fall by consulting group Battelle and think tank the Institute. It was paid for by grants from local foundations, according to KIZ chief Don Smith Jr., who also heads the joint economic development venture between Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh.

Mr. Smith won't comment on the draft report, adding that it probably won't be ready for public consumption for at least three weeks. But he did confirm that the KIZ board will meet again -- as early as Tuesday -- to hash out more details, before voting on a what is expected to be a "regional strategy."

Bits & Bytes has learned that the study focuses on "technology, talent and capital," issues that include the dearth of space for growing tech firms, a coordinated channel for budding entrepreneurs planning to launch a company, how to bring more entrepreneurial talent and experienced managers to the region, and the perennial quagmire: How does a region with so much wealth seem to never have enough money for startup companies?

The state-funded Oakland KIZ is composed of 13 board members who represent the region's tech-focused economic development groups, including the Technology Collaborative, representatives from CMU and the University of Pittsburgh, Innovation Works and the Pittsburgh Technology Council. The program, launched by the state in 2005, requires that each board member contribute a matching-grant of about $25,000 to gain a seat at the table. Who composes the focus groups that Mr. Smith and the KIZ staff have gathered to weigh in on the draft is under wraps.

Pittsburgh's own JURIST Web site -- jurist.law.pitt.edu has been nominated for a Webby award, the so-called Oscars of Web design. JURIST, the University of Pittsburgh's legal news and research service is one of five finalists in the "Law" category for the 2006 awards (www.webbyawards.com) that honor excellence in Web design, creativity, usability and functionality.

Winners will be announced May 9, with a gala award ceremony to follow in New York City on June 12. JURIST is powered by a team of more than 30 part-time and mostly volunteer law student reporters, editors and Web developers, led by Pitt law professor Bernard Hibbitts. Pitt officials said it's the only law-school-based legal news service.

Accordingly, a helping of Black and Gold pride is due. The Webby People's Voice Award gives Web users the chance to vote for their favorite Webby nominee. Go JURIST!

Uptown based biotech start up Promethean LifeSciences has snagged a new chief executive officer, Michael R. Mitchell from Asylum Research in Santa Barbara, Calif. Mr. Mitchell also worked for more than 20 years at McGhan Medical, also in Santa Barbara.

Speaking of biotech, have the prayers and chants of ambitious biotech chiefs been answered? Bits & Bytes has learned that architecture firm Perkins Eastman is working on an office and laboratory development of about 800,000 square feet in Oakland, to the west end of the Oakland Civic Center, that will include a hotel/conference center and large parking garage on about 9.5 acres of land. Could this be the affordable office space biotech startups are looking for?

The Entrepreneurial "Mash-Up," an informal relaxing evening to blend tech startups, investors and support organizations into one networking love fest, will be held at the Heinz 57 Conference Center at Stanwix and Sixth, Downtown, on May 9. Andrew Moore, the director of Google Pittsburgh, will speak after the mingling session, which begins at 6 p.m. The event is sponsored by Pittsburgh's Urban Magnet Project and a duo of local tech-chief support groups, Helping Entrepreneurs Learn From Peers and elifelines.org. The Mash-Up is free. To register, visit www.pump.org/eventReg.jsp .

Preparations are under way for the Entrepreneurs Base Camp, an intense day-long seminar for startup chiefs who want to learn from those who've gone before them. Organizers say it's a chance to get face time with some of the region's best-known and well-worn entrepreneurs and to soak up some of their wisdom. The roster includes Rajiv Enand, co-founder of Ford City semi-conductor firm Caracal, who'll be discussing raising money. Tom Beckley, the former chief executive officer of Neolinear, Inc., which was sold to Cadence Design Systems in 2004, will discuss how to manage investors and acquirers. Inder Guglani, who founded and heads Guru.com, the local dot.com known for buying its chief competitor, will talk about building a company without raising equity dollars. Aldo Zini, CEO of Robinson-based robotics firm Aethon, Inc., will ask participants if they are ready for venture capital. Andy Hannah, the chief of O'Hara-based Plextronics, will cap off the event, breaking participants into teams of investors and entrepreneurs working together to complete a term sheet agreement for funding. "As an entrepreneur, I think the experience of working through a term sheet is going to be an eye opener for a lot of participants," Mr. Hannah said.

Sponsors include TiE Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Technology Council and Innovation Works. Base Camp is May 6 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University Center at Carnegie Mellon University. Cost for the seminar is $145 for Tech Council and TiE members.

Ansys Inc., the Cecil-based engineering software firm, kicks off its three-day international conference May 2. It's a pow-wow at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown, where engineers and analysts confer on every facet of computer-aided engineering design. For more information or to register, visit www1.ansys.com/conf2006/default.htm.

Former chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, James Lee Witt, will visit Pittsburgh on May 2 for a forum on how technology plays a role in emergency and disaster preparedness. Discussion topics include public private partnerships that work and strategic command and control in times of crisis. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Heinz Field. For more information or to register, visit nextel.andlogistix.com/solutionsforum/default.htm or send an email to sprint@andlogistix.com.