USTAR Technology Outreach Serves as Catalyst for Change

WSU faculty are supporting the critical aeronautical industry in Northern Utah. The volume and complexity of these projects continues to increase.

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. This report profiles the Northern Utah team, based at Weber State University and directed by Curt Roberts.

2008 Highlights

Turning Innovation into Industry

Assisted 70 inventors and entrepreneurs, helping to secure $3.85 million in equity financing and supporting 11 technology incubation projects.
Analyzed new markets for USU’s Center for Active 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 two new patent filings.
Established a WSU 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 through start up ventures.

2009 Goals

Continue connecting innovators with investors to obtain equity financing (currently $8.75 million in negotiation)
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 standing 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.

While USTAR faculty focus on research, Technology Outreach provides support for business development and launching new companies.

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 Technology Outreach program. As the Northern Utah office demonstrates, Technology Outreach helps move new technology out of the lab and into the marketplace.