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University of Akron Strategies for Small Technology Transfer Offices. Wayne Watkins Associate Vice President for Research July 23, 2008. Assessing Opportunities. Strategy Topic #1. University and community resources Challenges and limitations How identify? How stay current?.
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University of Akron Strategies for Small Technology Transfer Offices Wayne Watkins Associate Vice President for Research July 23, 2008
Assessing Opportunities Strategy Topic #1 • University and community resources • Challenges and limitations • How identify? • How stay current?
The University of Akron in 2000 • Strong ties to the rubber and plastics industry • Research expenditures of approx $ 20M • $ 289,000 licensing income • One university spin-out company • Region of four million people • Large industrial complex - struggling • Urban campus adjacent to downtown • 25,000 students (14% graduate students) • Law School - best value public university by National Jurist • nationally recognized IP Law program • Recognized expertise in science and engineering disciplines
Athersys, Eaton, Ferro, Parker Hannifin, Swagelok,Sherwin Williams Steris Lubrizol PolyOne Cleveland Clinic Ford Keithley GM NASA Noveon, Promerus Norton RPM Akron General AES, A. Schulman, Gojo, Myers, Omnova, Smithers Summa Goodyear Lockheed Martin Bridgestone/Firestone Timken Diebold Northeast Ohio Industry Research Network
Strategic Clusters High Information technology Biosciences Polymers/advanced materials Potential growth impact Advanced power Instruments, controls, electronics Motor vehicles Financial Services Chemicals Aerospace Metalworking Low Low High Feasibility
Universities Industries Entrepreneurs Government Investors & Capital
Before After
Strategy Topic #2 Create appropriate organization structure • Things Ohio public universities can not do • Take equity • Indemnify • Respond quickly to private sector • What universities need help doing • Effectively bridging the public/private interface • Taking long-term economic development perspective
Traditional Model Teaching Research Service Compliance: IRB & IACUC Technology Transfer License Grants and Contracts Spin-out
The Idea Teaching Research Service Compliance: IRB & IACUC Technology Transfer License Grants and Contracts Spin-out Community Partnerships Industry Collaboration For-Profit Corporations
In 2001, University of Akron Research Foundation was formed • Not-for-profit - 501(c)(3) • Corporate charter is to benefit UA • Provides current value & invests with expected long-term benefit • Independent of university and state • Provide indemnity to research sponsors • Hold and dispose of equity in private companies • Respond to faculty and industry on a commercial timeframe and with flexible decision making authority • Independence requires that majority of board is not university personnel • UARF financial statements are rolled up in UA statements (GASB)
Strategy Topic #3 Library Space Instrumentation People Patents Strategic Reallocation of Regional Assets
Strategy Topic #4 MemPro Ceramics SNS Nano Fiber Tyrone Management Innovia Nanocopoeia Library Space Instrumentation People Patents Licensing & Commercialization Strategic Reallocation of Regional Assets
UA Research and Inventions • The University of Akron’s technology and invention portfolio includes more than 450 active and pending patents. Compared to the national average, UA has 50 percent more patents and twice the number of invention disclosures per research dollar spent.
University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF) Annual Licensing Revenue One-time compensatory payment Projected from YTD earnings
Strategy Topic #5 MemPro Ceramics SNS Nano Fiber Tyrone Management Innovia Nanocopoeia Akron Device Technologies Library Space Instrumentation People Patents RPM International Licensing & Commercialization Strategic Reallocation of Regional Assets Industry-Driven Research
UARF Relationships Services $ Industry Partner/ Donor UA Services $ $ UA Foundation UARF 3rd Party Providers $ Contract Services Business/Tech Assessment $ For-profits Contract Services 3rd Party Providers
Strategy Topic #6 MemPro Ceramics SNS Nano Fiber Tyrone Management Innovia Nanocopoeia Akron Device Technologies Library Space Instrumentation People Patents RPM International Licensing & Commercialization Strategic Reallocation of Regional Assets Industry-Driven Research Akron Innovation Campus Space for Emerging Enterprises
Akron Innovation Campus • Two buildings adjacent to UA campus on Wolf Ledges • Purchased May 2007 • 66,650 sf • 72% leased • 14 tenants – mix of University spinouts, research partners and community organizations Akron Innovation Campus LLC holds real property Sole member is UARF
Strategy Topic #7 MemPro Ceramics SNS Nano Fiber Tyrone Management Innovia Nanocopoeia Akron Device Technologies Library Space Instrumentation People Patents RPM International Licensing & Commercialization Strategic Reallocation of Regional Assets Industry-Driven Research Akron Innovation Campus Space for Emerging Enterprises University Start-ups (equity) Akron Polymer Systems SNS Nano Fiber Technologies
University of Akron Research Foundation Start-ups • 28 total startups formed (14 active AUTM startups) • 8 startups in fiscal year 2007 Akron Polymer Systems was established in 2002 to commercialize high-performance polymers for aerospace, optical and photonic applications. APS’s ultra-thin polymer films coat high-performance displays prevent the distortion of light and resulting in greater sharpness and clarity and a larger range of distortion-free viewing angles. The company has ten employees and more than $1 million in annual sales. MemPro Ceramics moved to Akron in 2005 to conduct research that would pair its existing ceramic filtration technology with UA’s ceramic nanofiber expertise. With the help of UARF, MemPro created a line of products that filters engine exhaust and efficiently converts unsafe oxides from power plants to harmless gases and liquids.
Strategy Topic #8 MemPro Ceramics SNS Nano Fiber Tyrone Management Innovia Nanocopoeia Akron Device Technologies Library Space Instrumentation People Patents RPM International Licensing & Commercialization Strategic Reallocation of Regional Assets Industry-Driven Research Akron Innovation Campus Space for Emerging Enterprises University Start-ups (equity) Entrepreneurship Support Akron Polymer Systems SNS Nano Fiber Technologies Senior Fellows Executive-in-Residence ARCHAngels Women’s ARCHAngels Open Innovation Advising Companies
Commercialization and Entrepreneurial Support through UARF Focal point for business start-up and commercialization services for emerging technology-based enterprises: • Needs and opportunity assessment • Business and entrepreneurship assistance • Access to research expertise, technology and facilities • Opportunities for student interns and recent graduates • Space for offices and labs • Connection to Angel investors and other funding sources
ARCHAngels - Akron Regional Change Angels • UARF dba ARCHAngels • Regional network of investors • Contacted by hundreds of companies annually • Provide business assistance • Select best to present to ARCHAngels network • Quarterly events since Nov. 2005 • Presented 37 companies to investors • Approximately half received funding • Presented three UA-developed technologies: coal fuel cell, artificial pancreas, carbon nanotubes
Open Innovation • Stimulated by Proctor & Gamble • Corporate culture changed from primarily internal to “proudly invented elsewhere” • Events sponsored by UARF • Nationally-recognized thought leaders • 100 community business leaders, policy makers and innovators • Only event of its kind in Ohio • Transforming regional companies
Strategy Topic #9 MemPro Ceramics SNS Nano Fiber Tyrone Management Innovia Nanocopoeia Akron Device Technologies Library Space Instrumentation People Patents RPM International Licensing & Commercialization Strategic Reallocation of Regional Assets Industry-Driven Research Akron Innovation Campus Space for Emerging Enterprises University Start-ups (equity) Student Development Entrepreneurship Support Akron Polymer Systems SNS Nano Fiber Technologies Internships Industrial Partnerships Student Angels Senior Fellows Executive-in-Residence ARCHAngels Women’s ARCHAngels Open Innovation Advising Companies
Strategy Topic #10 MemPro Ceramics SNS Nano Fiber Tyrone Management Innovia Nanocopoeia Akron Device Technologies Library Space Instrumentation People Patents RPM International Licensing & Commercialization Strategic Reallocation of Regional Assets Industry-Driven Research Akron Innovation Campus Space for Emerging Enterprises Enterprise Partnerships &State & Regional Initiatives University Start-ups (equity) Student Development Entrepreneurship Support CSU, YSU, LCCC, Summa & others Akron Polymer Systems SNS Nano Fiber Technologies Internships Industrial Partnerships Student Angels Senior Fellows Executive-in-Residence Ohio Research Foundation ARCHAngels Women’s ARCHAngels Open Innovation Advising Companies
Ohio Research Foundation UARF Provides research administration, technology transfer and innovation services $ The University of Akron Licensees Industry Research Sponsors Public and Private Granting Agencies Services & IP Services & IP $ Services $ Other regional colleges, universities, hospitals and other research organizations interested in collaborating for technology transfer purposes Ohio Research Foundation Bank $ & Equity $ Services & IP Services & IP $