Integrated Technology Transfer Network

Finalist - Outstanding Specialty Entrepreneurship Program

About IECE• Focal point on

campus and the local community to promote and encourage entrepreneurial activity.

• Facilitate the development of entrepreneurs and innovators

ITTN Program Overview

• In Collaboration with the US Army Research Lab (ARL):– Deliver an intensive graduate-level program in

technology commercialization & entrepreneurship– Transform STEM students from Historically Black

Colleges and Universities (HBCU) into entrepreneurial scientists that make contributions in a wide range of environments

STEM Student ITTN Program

Government

Business

Academia

ITTN Program - Genesis

• Addresses Key Issues for ARL– Congressional directive issued to the U.S.

Department of Defense• Become more entrepreneurial – “thinking

outside the box, in the box”– Concern about the future availability of

domestically trained U.S. scientists – Concern about the number of minority graduate

students choosing science as career

Program Objectives• Through the ITTN Experience,

Students Learn :– The entrepreneurial mindset and

behaviors– The difference between ideas and

opportunities– Skills and tools to assess, shape, and

take advantage of emerging opportunities

– Their personal capacity for entrepreneurship

– How to apply entrepreneurial skills and knowledge in research and lab settings

Program Composition

• Three Phases– Immersion – Discovery – Launch

• Program Features– Coursework– Experiential Learning

• Course and non-course based

Phase II – Knowledge & Experience Building

Course 3Entrepreneurship and New Ventures

Course 1Overview of Technology Transfer and

Commercialization

Course 2New Venture Opportunity Analysis

Course 4New Venture Resource Requirements

Course 5New Venture Planning and Strategy

Course 6Managing a Growing Business

Experiential Project 2Technology Commercialization

Market Assessment Project

Experiential Project 1Technology Commercialization

Market Assessment Project

Experiential Project 3Technology Commercialization

Market Assessment Project

Capstone Experiential Project

Army Research Lab (ARL)Comprehensive Exam &

Reflective Portfolio

Phase III – Launch: Applying Knowledge & Experience

Phase I – ImmersionPre-course “boot camp"

Fall Quarter Winter Quarter Spring Quarter

Summer Quarter

Program Composition

• Phase One – Immersion– Move-in– Orientation– 40-hour “pre-course”

• Learning the language of business and entrepreneurship

Program Composition• Phase Two – Discovery

– Nine-month series of coursework and experiential learning projects

• Six graduate-level courses• Intensive workshops in special

topic areas• “Exploring the field”

opportunities• Three technology

commercialization projects • Investment due diligence

research for Tech Coast Angels

Program Composition

• Phase Three – Launch– Comprehensive Examination– Reflective Portfolio– 10 -12 week summer consultancy at ARL Tactical

Information Fusion BranchAffiliates & Collaborators:Researchers:

Richard KasteArmy Research Lab

Joan ForesterArmy Research Lab

Tim HanrattyArmy Research Lab

ARL InformationFusion Research

Dr. Dana UleryArmy Research Lab

Phillip SmithOhio State

KIMCOE

Policy Aware Web

Donald BrownUniversity of Virginia

Joseph LewthwaiteGeneral Dynamics

Vincent OriaNew Jersey Institute

of Technology

LeeRoy BronnerMorgan State

Dr. Pamela Scott-Johnson

Morgan State

Damien WatkinsMorgan State

James A. HendlerMIT

Tim Berners-LeeMIT

The Compatible Knowledge Fusion Platform Solution

K nowledge Fusion

Program Funding

• Current funding– ARL annual funding of $1,389,000– Program is currently in its fifth funding cycle with over

$8 million invested by ARL– In-kind support from University including facilities,

materials, cost share.

• Future funding– ARL – Potential partnerships being developed with USDA and NSF

Program Outcomes

• 52 students representing 45 different HBCU’s

• Continuing education– Five $75,000 scholarships

awarded to complete MBA in Entrepreneurship

– 19 Fellows have continued on to complete additional graduate education including Ph.D. and M.D.

Program Outcomes

Tech transfer & commercialization

Federal lab & Corporate sector

Startup venturesHamilton Pressley

Medical Systems

Program Outcomes• 67 percent of Alumni felt strongly that the

knowledge gained and experiences during the ITTN Program has helped them achieve their current success

• 83 percent of Alumni feel strongly that they have the ability to conduct themselves as scientific entrepreneurs as a result of the ITTN program

• 67 percent of Alumni feel strongly that they are more than qualified to start a business, lead other scientists or work in the technology transfer field after attending the ITTN program

Summary

• Unique program that helps transform scientists into entrepreneurial thinkers

• Program continues to evolve and improve based on experience, feedback and ideation

• Continued funding from ARL is secure, continuing to seek new initiatives and funding with additional partners – USDA, NSF, & Morgan State University – One of top funding initiatives of President Karnig’s

“legacy” project• Model can be replicated in any academic setting

– Key is to have University support and collaborative partners to ensure experiential learning component