UWC4C looks to launch startups

The University of Washington’s Office of Technology Transfer is looking to strengthen its connections with the business community.

The office, which manages intellectual property created by university researchers, is changing its focus from licensing to jump-starting companies. It changed its name to the UW Center for Commercialization (UWC4C) and rolled out several programs to establish relationships early on between researchers and the business world. The goal is to figure out what industry’s needs are, which could provide guidance on research directions and maximize the potential of new technologies developed at the university, according to UWC4C vice provost Linden Rhoads.

The university’s Entrepreneur in Residence program connects faculty with business executives to discuss research and to assess possible applications for research. Meanwhile, its Innovation Showcase presents commercialization-ready technologies to potential investors.

In January, the office announced plans to hone its cleantech focus through its New Ventures Group, which aims to launch startups with university technology. It brought in Rick LeFaivre of Kirkland-based OVP Venture Partners as one of the group’s leaders.
The office has also brought in patent agents to work with staff on intellectual property and patent strategies.

Funded by royalties from its past successes, the office manages a portfolio of more than 2,000 patents. To date, more than 240 companies have been started by students and faculty with technology developed at the university. In 2008, university researchers earned $10 million from their technologies, according to UWC4C.