10 Year Review - The University of Akron

We looked for excess office and lab space for our emerging enterprises. We noticed a
"for lease" sign on two four-story buildings adjacent to campus in an area targeted by
the University and the City of Akron for revitalization. We approached the owners and
within a year, purchased the properties to form the Akron Innovation Campus. We now
have 16 tenants and house our UARF outreach efforts and several of our supported
emerging companies. We charge competitive rates on standard leases and provide
space to emerging enterprises in exchange for equity. The Akron Innovation Campus
creates a location for University-related innovation activity and the real estate becomes
a nice visual promotion vehicle for our efforts.
Of importance to the region’s economic growth, we support the formation of new
enterprises including University-based startups. Overall, we have formed or supported
the formation of 35 companies. Of those supported, not all are licensees of UA, and not
all are spin-offs by definition of the Association of University Technology Managers
(AUTM). Some were formed to facilitate access to SBIR and STTR funds. We formed
one to demonstrate our commitment to action within 48 hours of our first in-person
meeting with two international companies that wanted to form a joint venture with a U.S.
presence. We also had an interim management group designated.
In the Akron Polymer Systems model, we formed a university/faculty spin-off company
to manufacture a compound already licensed to an end-user, who needed product. We
had the scientific expertise in the faculty inventor and his graduate students. They are
now a company of about 15 employees, many of whom are graduates of the UA
polymer program.
As another example of our outreach activity, we pursued licensing discussions with an
out-of-state company, which led to the formation of an Ohio affiliate company to develop
and exploit ceramic filtration technology. The move was not a requirement of the
license, but the company saw value in the linkages and infrastructure we created at the
University and moved to Akron.
ACQUISITION OF PERSONNEL
One of the innovative benefits of the research foundation model is the ability to attract
and use skilled personnel for the benefit of the University without state support funding.
In 2000, the university’s technology transfer business was handled by two state
employees—an Assistant General Counsel and a Coordinator. Today, there are three
Technology Transfer Office positions paid for by state funds—the Director, an Associate
Vice President for Research, and an Administrative Assistant. In addition, there are 18
participants in the Office’s programs including full- and part-time employees, volunteers,
student assistants and interns, who are not compensated by the state. This staff has
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