University Innovation: From UPRM labs to the Marketplace

University Innovation: From UPRM labs to the Marketplace
Elvia M. Camayd Vélez, Esq.
VI SIMPOSIO INTERNACIONAL SOBRE ENERGÍA
FORO DE INNOVACIÓN Y EMPRENDIMIENTO
Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, PR
19‐21 de febrero de 2014
University Innovation
From UPRM labs to the Marketplace
Why?
 Innovation is the lifeblood of economic development
 Research activity at UPRM has grown vigorously over the past ten years
 UPRM is leading the pathway in terms of  invention disclosures, patents granted, and research activities with commercialization potential
University Innovation
From UPRM labs to the Marketplace
Background:
 “Publish or Perish” mindset
 Inadequate infrastructure
 Various disarticulated initiatives (i.e. PDU, BioSEI)
 Existing patents have not been commercialized
University Innovation
From UPRM labs to the Marketplace
 Was launched in 2011 as a joint effort between UPRM, PRTEC and the PRSTT to
 leverage existing capabilities within the UPRM  encourage innovation and to further commercialization of UPRM inventions
College Innovation
From the UPRM labs to the Marketplace
 nurture an entrepreneurial/idea generation mindset on campus
 develop an effective regional innovation ecosystem to accelerate the commercialization of research and scientific discoveries
 create networking and explore partnering opportunities College Innovation
From the UPRM labs to the Marketplace
Programmatic goals:
 Increase the number of patents, and other IP rights generated by UPRM
 Training and assessment in areas of IP protection, technology development and management
 Commercialization of existing IP or patented ideas  Increase licensing opportunities
 Individualized assistance in business creation, financing options and other available incentives.
 Access to suitable incubator space for emerging technology firms.
University Innovation
From UPRM labs to the Marketplace
 Increase the number of SBIR’s submissions and awards
 Training and individualized assistance in developing and submitting SBIR/STTR’s proposals
 Increase access to seed funding to support commercialization of promising research.  Coaching and mentoring for business competitions
 Helping to explore and obtain funding from private sector (i.e. venture, angel capital and crowd‐funding).
University Innovation
From UPRM labs to the Marketplace
 Accelerate market reach of new innovative products, processes and/or services  Change of culture
 Matchmaking and networking
 Assistance with market evaluation and business plan development  Facilitate and promote industry‐academy relationships
University Innovation
From UPRM labs to the Marketplace
 Curriculum Development  Interdisciplinary/across disciplines
 Graduate and undergraduate levels to promote entrepreneurial thinking among innovators and researchers.  INTD 5007: Intellectual Property for Scientists & Engineers
 ADMI 6005: Business Planning and Commercialization Strategies for Technology Ventures University Innovation
From UPRM labs to the Marketplace
Activities:
 Workshops and seminars
 Business Opportunity Profile (BOP)
 Lab scouting
 Networking activities
 Students competitions
 One‐to‐one assessment sessions
RESULTS RESULTS New startups created:
1. Sonar Sensing Technologies, Inc.

Founder: Dr. Eduardo J. Juan Status: inactive
2. Nanoessentials, Inc.


Founder: Drs. Adriana Herrera & Carola Rivera
Status: inactive
3. Collect Mobile

Founder: Eric Lozada (Student) Status: active
4. Cutting Edge Superconductors, Inc.


Founder: Dr. Kim Status: active
Tenant at ViTEC2 Incubator
RESULTS New startups created:
4. PR Protein Characterization Laboratories, Inc.


Founder: Dr. Belinda Pastrana
Tenant at the BDTC Incubator
Status: active
5. Innovations on Research & Engineering (DBA)


Founder: Dr. Vijay Goyal Status: active
Tenant at the ViTEC2 Incubator
6. Mango Technika



Founder: Jorge Herrera et als (Students)
Status: active
Tenant at the ViTEC2 Incubator
RESULTS Business Competitions Winners:
1. Cutting Edge Superconductors, Inc.


1st Prize ‐ Enterprize 2011
2nd Prize – Innoventure 2012
2. Mango Technika

Evertec Prize ‐ Enterprize 2012
3. Collect Mobile, Inc.

Semifinalist ‐ Enterprize 2012
RESULTS SBIR’s Submittals:
1. Sonar Sensing Technologies, Inc.

1 (NSF)
2. Cutting Edge Superconductors, Inc.

4 (NSF, NIH, DOE)
3. Nanoessentials, Inc.

1 (NSF)
4. Innovations on Research & Engineering

2 (DOD, NSF)
RESULTS Start up Funding:
1. Cutting Edge Superconductors, Inc.
 $50K (PRST&R Trust)
 $50K (Municipality of Mayagüez)
 $25K (Enterprize)
 $15K (InnoVenture)
 $150K (SBIR Phase 1)
"Our success was significantly promoted by the excellent support from R&D Center and CNDE of UPRM through the Innovación
Colegial allegiance with PRTEC." Yong‐Jihn Kim, UPRM professor of Physics and president, Cutting Edge Superconductors, Inc. RESULTS Start up Funding:
2. Mango Technika
2. $25K (Evertec)
3. PR Protein Characterization Laboratories, Inc.
 $60K (PRST&R Trust)
Questions & Contact Information…
ELVIA M. CAMAYD VÉLEZ, ESQ., LL.M.
Assistant Researcher of Engineering
Director, IP & Technology Transfer Office elvia.camayd@upr.edu
787.265.3822 |787.832‐4040 x. 3504,3508