10 Year Review - The University of Akron

Entrepreneurial Studies Fellow College of Business 2002-present
Administrator University of Akron Research Foundation 2001-present
Director Fitzgerald Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies 2000-2002
Responsibilities, roles, and activities:
Intellectual property acquisition and commercialization. Co-leader of technology transfer
team that licenses university intellectual property from a portfolio of over 350 patents,
receiving over $12 million in license revenues since 2003. Intellectual property and
technology transfer strategy and policy development. The University of Akron Technology
Commercialization program recognized as the most successful in Ohio.
Support services for emerging enterprises
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Provide support services for emerging enterprises including technology mining and
assessment, entity formation, management development, capital development,
intellectual property protection and exploitation, marketing, legal, accounting,
bookkeeping, office and laboratory support, and access to university facilities,
equipment and personnel.
Established University Innovation Ventures as a for profit subsidiary of the research
foundation to support emerging enterprises, with retired senior corporate executives
as principals.
Assisted the formation of thirty-nine spin-off companies for faculty and community
entrepreneurs.
Provide SBIR and STTR advisory services.
Innovation campus development
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Developed and implemented strategy for acquisition, operations, and expansion of
the Akron Innovation Campus serving 21 tenants with space and innovation related
services.
Capital development and networking
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Participated in the establishment of the ARCHAngel (Akron Regional Change Angels)
network with more than 500 members. Host quarterly events for capital seeking
emerging companies to meet with and present to angel investors. Companies
presenting have received greater than $70 million in subsequent funding.
Led efforts to invest research foundation funds in regional venture capital funds,
including an Israeli-American joint venture and the Lorain County Innovation Fund.
Research foundation
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Participated in the concept development and strategy for the formation of the
University of Akron Research Foundation. Currently direct the operations, strategy,
and board relations as well as serving as treasurer.
National initiatives
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Member, Council on Competitiveness National Innovation Initiative, focusing on a
21 st Century Intellectual Property system.
Participant, United States President’s Council of Advisors on Science and
Technology subcommittees and hearings.
Member, University Industry Demonstration Partnership - co-chair of Corporate RFP
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