Technology Transfer in Operation at Connecticut
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
We see universities as places where people are trained to provide manpower for various industries. Actually, universities have another role, research, which also can help industries. Many of the research findings that emerge in university labs might have practical applications.
For the practical applications to materialize, however, the technology should be applied to produce things that have a market. In addition, the technology needs to be transferred from labs into production floors. This typically involves scaling up the lab processes into full-fledged production processes.
Applying new technology to develop marketable products, and the engineering involved in scaling up lab operations to production operations, is basically what we call as commercialization of technology.
In Connecticut, schools are working with state and industry officials to create incubator programs for businesses in the high technology areas such as biotechnology that can, for example, help develop more effective treatments for diseases.
An example is the University of Bridgeport that has the largest engineering school in the state. Its faculty and students are involved in major research projects, such as a project to develop unmanned aerial vehicles for the army.
The University has now joined Connecticut Innovations Inc. (CII), the state’s quasi-public authority for technology investing and innovation development, to set up CTech IncUBator that has begun accepting applications from hopeful entrepreneurs.
Read the full report at conntact.com.
Tags: business, connecticut, incubator programs, technology transfer
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Business Accelerator and New Entrepreneurs
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
A public-private partnership has been formed in Orange County to help new ventures reach their full potential. Under the program, entrepreneurs will have access to experienced business people, financiers, lawyers, marketing experts, tax advisers and other mentors.
The mentors will help new entrepreneurs with guidance and even funding. Without such mentoring, new entrepreneurs often take years to learn many of the essentials needed for running a business successfully.
The program aims at providing new entrepreneurs with state-of-the-art Internet access, videoconferencing and access to advice and funding during their first years of operation. These essentials will help businesspersons with new ideas and products, but with little practical business know-how.
These entrepreneurs will be accommodated at the Accelerator’s 10,000-square-foot facility at New York International Plaza at Stewart International Airport. After the initial difficult years, the entrepreneurs will have to move out of the facility, and succeed on their own.
Entrepreneurs wishing to join the Accelerator must have initial financing and a viable business plan that is reviewed and approved by the Accelerator’s Management Council. ompanies from all industry sectors can consider joining the Accelerator, but the program is looking particularly for companies in three clusters: renewable and alternative energy, life sciences and biopharmaceuticals and information technology, especially companies developing applications for the Internet and other software.
Read more at recordonline
Tags: business, mentoring, new entrepreneurs, orange county
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