“strength in numbers” technology transfer tactics november 18, 2010

“Strength in Numbers”

Technology Transfer TacticsNovember 18, 2010

www.innovationtransfernetwork.org

Today’s Agenda• Introductions• How ITN Got Started• How the Program Changed and Evolved• Challenges/Lessons Learned• Accomplishments

2

Introductions• Dr. Rick Basom

Director of Research & Planning, Elizabethtown College

• Ms. Jennifer Hammaker, Director of Business Development, Innovation Transfer Network

• Dr. Marian Walters, Associate Dean for Research, Penn State Harrisburg 3

Getting Started

• Early Vision and Partners– Economic Development Linkages– Economic Development Partnerships– 13 Regional Small Colleges and Universities– 3000 Faculty and 50,000 Students

4

Getting Started• Initial Program Concept and Funding• Initial Funding Period: 5 years

• Early Program Elements– Access to IP Expertise– Access to templates

• Summer Seed Grants: faculty/industry partnerships

5

Program Expansion

• Events– Outside Speakers– Panel Discussions

• Industry/Faculty– SSGX – Software

Productization Center

6

Program Expansion• Faculty/Faculty– Research Symposia– NSF Proposals

• Seed Grant Funding– Faculty/Industry

7

Program Expansion• “Enclave” Online Community– Academic Profiles – Business Profiles– Blog – Video– Economic Dev. Resource– Encourage Connections– Easy for Media

8

Challenge #1

• Institutional Buy-In– Lessons Learned:• Deans/Administration–Senior level, access to Provost

• Active Board Involvement• Willingness to Commit Resources

9

Challenge #2• Faculty Engagement– Lessons Learned:• Grassroots• Online• Cross-Campus• Entrepreneurs• Commercialization• Student Experience

10

Challenge #3• Conflicting Priorities: Business vs.

Faculty– Lessons Learned:• Clarify the expectations• Manage the timeline • Different financial

considerations

11

Challenge #4

• Cultural Chasms– Lessons Learned• Progress slow but sure• Stay committed and look long term• Think funding early and often• Does IP count for promotion and tenure?

12

Challenge #5• Sustainability

• Active Board Engagement & Leadership– Willingness to lead grant applications

• Pursue Multiple Options Simultaneously• Economic Development Partners are Key

13

AccomplishmentsIncreased

Relationships with Business Community– Trends– Market Research– Software

Development– $500,000 in Seed

Grant Investments 14

Accomplishments

Increased Collaboration Between Faculty– Within Institutions– Across Departments– Across Campuses– Across Institutions

15

AccomplishmentsIncreased Student

Involvement– Real World Experiences– Networking– Visibility/Interaction with

Business Leaders

16

AccomplishmentsIncreased

Interaction b/w Institutional Leaders– $600,000 NSF/PFI

Grant– $800,000 Regional

BioFuels Center

17

@itnwk (Twitter)itnwk@psu.edu

717.948.6455www.innovationtransfernetwork.org