NUtech Ventures Leads
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NUtech Ventures is betting that strong partnerships are the best way to move university research discoveries from lab to marketplace.
NUtech is the new nonprofit corporation responsible for commercializing discoveries and products from university research. Established in September 2009 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, NUtech was formerly UNL’s Office of Technology Development.
The metamorphosis is more than a name change, said David Conrad, NUtech’s executive director. "It’s allowed us to foster an entrepreneurial culture."
NUtech is independent of the university and structured much like its private company clients. A board of directors made up of business people and three UNL representatives oversees operations. Some of the most successful university technology operations have long used this nonprofit corporation structure.
"It’s made it easier for us to partner with the business community and removed roadblocks to joint ventures," Conrad said. Partnership-building is at the heart of NUtech Ventures’ business model. NUtech staff work to match industry, entrepreneurs and investors with university researchers based on mutual interests. Conrad said building long-term business relationships is the best way to commercialize the products of university research.
During NUtech’s first year, invention disclosures from UNL faculty increased about 25 percent and licenses and options increased 20 percent. NUtech mainly serves UNL faculty but also works with faculty on other NU campuses.
In 2011, NUtech will focus on creating start-up companies based on university-developed technologies and products. That fits well with its overall goal of generating income for the university and spurring economic development for Nebraska.
"We specifically measure our performance by the number of companies, products and jobs for Nebraska created by university research," Conrad said.
Learn more at nutechventures.org.