Experienced USTAR commercialization teams work with researchers, companies and entrepreneurs statewide. Regional directors oversee technology outreach program centers, which are located at higher ed institutions. While supporting high-growth clients, the technology outreach teams help move regional initiatives forward. In addition, each center works closely with USTAR research teams to drive commercialization. The Northern Utah team, based at Weber State University is directed by Alex Lawrence.
2008 Highlights: Turning Innovation into Industry
- Assisted 70 clients, helping to secure $3.85 million in equity financing and supporting 11 technology incubation projects.
- Analyzed new markets for USU’s Center for Advanced Sensing and Imaging, and other consulting to USU researchers, with the goal of new company creation.
- Brokered nine sponsored research projects at WSU, and set up research collaboration between WSU and USU.
- Supported WSU faculty with patent evaluations and three new patent filings.
- Helped WSU set up its new Technology Commercialization Office and processes.
- With Grow Utah Ventures, launched the country’s first outdoor product innovation contest, with the goal of boosting the City of Ogden’s recreational products industrial base.
2009 Highlights: High-flying Results
- Continue connecting innovators with investors to obtain equity financing ($8.75 million).
- Bring additional revenue to WSU and additional value to key Northern Utah companies through expanded sponsored research projects (currently eight under negotiation).
- Assist USU and WSU researchers in starting up new companies.
- Increase the number of WSU faculty technology incubation projects.
- Continue to work with private and public stakeholders to improve the number and quality of technology-based entrepreneurial companies in Northern Utah.
Consolidating the Gains
USTAR is a technology-based economic development program that originated in March 2006 after a comprehensive study of best practices in other states’ programs. A key component of USTAR’s success is the business-savvy tech outreach program. As the Northern Utah office demonstrates, tech outreach helps move new technology out of the lab and into the marketplace, creating jobs and bringing needed funds to northern Utah.
WSU faculty are supporting the critical aeronautical industry in Northern Utah through technology development and testing projects. The volume and complexity of these projects continues to increase.
While USTAR faculty focus on research, development and testing, tech outreach provides support on business development and launching new companies.