NUtech Ventures Leads
Tech Development

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.

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Credits
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NUtech Ventures

Credits

The 2009-2010 Annual Report is published by the
University of Nebraska−Lincoln Office of Research and Economic Development. More information is available
at http://research.unl.edu or contact:

Prem S. Paul
Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development
301 Canfield Administration Building
University of Nebraska−Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0433
(402) 472-3123  •  ppaul2@unl.edu

Writers/Editors:
Vicki Miller, Monica Norby, Ashley Washburn, Elizabeth Banset, Office of Research and Economic Development

Contributing Writers:
Gillian Klucas, Kim Hachiya, Cara Pesek
Some articles are based on earlier stories from University Communications and IANR News Service and written by Kelly Bartling, Troy Fedderson, Sara Gilliam, Sandi Alswager Karstens, Daniel R. Moser, Judy Nelson, Tom Simons,
Steve Smith, Carole Wilbeck

Photography/Illustrations:
Joel Brehm, Brett Hampton, Craig Chandler,
Alan Jackson/Jackson Studios, Greg Nathan,
Bruce Thorson, Robert Cope, Laurence Smith
Historic photos, page 22, courtesy Joyce Clarke Turvey

PDF/Print Design: Sym Labs

Website Design: Joel Brehm