Technology Transfer and Innovation Forum Series
Fall 2006 – Spring 2007
at
Cafritz Conference Center/The Marvin Center
George Washington University
800 21st Street, NW
Co-organizers:
Tech Transfer Society, Washington Chapter (T2SDC.org)
George Washington University - Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer & Commercialization
The Federal Laboratory Consortium
The Angel Investors of Greater Washington (AIoGW.org)
The Entrepreneur Center @ The Northern Virginia
Technology Council
TEDCO
Rockville Economic Development, Inc.
The Washington DC Technology Council
October 11, 2006
Topic:
How to do Business with the Federal Labs
Speaker:
Gary Jones, Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC)
Presentation Abstract:
Hundreds of laboratories - representing almost all federal departments and agencies - conduct over $100 billion in research and development annually and employ more than 100,000 scientists and engineers. Their science has the capacity to enrich our lives by making them safer, more convenient and more fulfilling. To fully capitalize on the nation's investment in federal research, the resulting expertise and technology must be brought to the marketplace. This commercialization enhances not only the nation's socioeconomic well-being in the global marketplace, but also ensures its security and prominence. This transfer is accomplished through the work of scientists, agency representatives, and technology transfer professionals.
The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) assists with the vision, plan and methodology necessary for realizing this technology transfer objective. The FLC is the nationwide network of federal laboratories that provides the forum to develop strategies and opportunities for linking the laboratory mission technologies and expertise with the marketplace. This presentation will provide an overview of Federal technology transfer efforts, including the role of the FLC and how it supports federal technology transfer activities initiatives, and a discussion of various mechanisms utilized to effect that transfer.
The Speaker:
Gary Jones is the Washington, DC Representative for the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC), a position he has held since 2005. As the DC Representative, Mr. Jones is responsible for providing FLC coordination in the DC area with Federal Agencies and their laboratories, Congressional staff, and trade, professional and other organizations. He brings over twenty-three years of professional experience to his current position, including seven years in academia and over sixteen years in industry and government.
Most recently, Mr. Jones was on the faculty of American University's
Washington Semester Program, where he served as an Academic Director for International Business & Trade. He has also lectured on global R&D management in the George Washington University graduate business program, and served as an adjunct faculty member at University of Maryland University College, Graduate School of Management & Technology -- where he received the Teaching Excellence Award in 2000 for his principles of technology management course.
Prior to his academic experience, Mr. Jones' career included work as an
exploration geophysicist in the energy industry, a policy analyst supporting the U.S. Department of Energy, and a researcher with the Virginia Department of Economic Development.
He holds an M.B.A from University of Richmond, a B.S. in Geophysics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and has studied technology management and international business at the post-graduate level.
November 9, 2006
Topic:
A Cutting Edge Business Model for Technology Transfer
Speaker:
Charles Brez, Nine Sigma Corporation, VP, Innovation Alliances
Presentation Abstract:
The old NIH, Not Invented Here, model of Research and Development is not sustainable. A new model of PFE, Proudly Found Elsewhere, is gaining momentum in the industrial technology sector. Innovative companies like Procter & Gamble and Air Products and Chemicals Inc. are leading the way with branded “open innovation” approaches to business development. P&G calls their research strategy “Connect & Develop” while APCI has branded “Identify & Accelerate” as their bold approach. Many other leading industrial companies are practicing this outreach approach to speeding products to market. The trends and driving forces that are shaping new technology transfer principles will be discussed.
The external collaboration movement started in earnest several years ago and was popularized by Harvard Business School Professor Henry Chesbrough’s book “Open Innovation”. Now just about every company that wants to remain globally competitive has adopted some measure of “open innovation”.
NineSigma introduced a cutting edge, new service to the science and technology based industrial manufacturing industry about five years ago. NineSigma partners with Global 1000 companies to transform their innovation capabilities by connecting them with the very best innovators from around the world. A proprietary process for Open Innovation enables companies to dramatically improve speed to market while lowering product development costs and reducing risk in decision making. NineSigma's open network of innovators is the largest of its kind and spans industries, geographies, and technical disciplines. Examples of real-world, unobvious, cross-boundary connections that create real value will be described.
Many industry leading companies from around the world have adopted these services as an important part of their technical external collaboration efforts to build new innovation capabilities that leverage research and innovation globally to deliver greater value to their customers.
Also, a powerful, new "reach and reward" innovation network expanding approach will be described. This creative Innovation Alliance Program involves well connected individuals and organizations into a global social network.
The Speaker:
Charles J.Brez is currently Vice President, Innovation Alliances for NineSigma, an innovation-sourcing firm. At NineSigma, Brez works closely with Fortune 500 clients to implement open innovation strategies and with innovation provider communities to collaborate with technology seeking companies.
Brez has more than 30 years of corporate management, commercial and technical experience. Prior to joining NineSigma, Brez worked with ABB Automation, its predecessor Bailey Controls Company, and Monsanto Company. Brez has been Senior Vice President/General Manager of the $100 million US chemical and pharmaceutical business unit for ABB, Vice President/General Manager of the process business unit for Bailey Controls and Vice President of the $250 million global sales organization for Bailey Controls Company. At Monsanto and their Fisher Controls subsidiary, Brez spent more than twenty years in executive level positions working in all aspects of the product life cycle from idea inception to commercialization to obsolescence. In addition to the roles above, specific responsibilities included strategic planning, business development, acquisitions and product management.
Brez is a Director of the AIChE Management Division and served on the Advisory Board for the 2005 AIChE Management Conference on Innovation. He is a principal organizer, moderator and speaker for a one-day workshop on Open Innovation at the Licensing Executive Society Annual Meeting in September, 2006. He will be a keynote speaker on Business Models for Technology Transfer at the European Union Innovation Relay Center Network’s 10th Annual Meeting in Estonia in September, 2006. He will speak on innovation and technology transfer at an industry sponsored forum in October, 2006 in Chile. He was one of three presenters for a half-day workshop on New Product Development Innovations at a Frost & Sullivan event in June, 2006. He has delivered talks to the European Commission Conference on Technology, Innovation and Industrial Information in Budapest in May, 2004; the Royal Society of Chemistry Management Group conference on Creating Business through Trading Technology in London in April, 2004; on Innovation and Entrepreneurship to Case Western Reserve University MBA students and local chapters of the American Chemical Society (“Sourcing Innovative Solutions”) and the Product Development and Management Association (“Web-enabled Innovation”).
Brez holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from St. Louis University.
December 14, 2006
Topic: In-Q-Tel, the CIA-sponsored Venture Fund
Speaker:
Dr. Catherine Cotell, VP of In-Q-Tel
Presentation Abstract:
In-Q-Tel was established in 1999 as an independent, private, not-for-profit company to help the CIA and the greater US Intelligence Community (IC) to identify, acquire, and deploy cutting-edge technologies. In-Q-Tel's open and entrepreneurial venture capital model gives it the agility to help the IC benefit from the rapid pace of innovation in emerging technology fields. In-Q-Tel's mission is to deliver leading-edge capabilities to the CIA and the IC by investing in the development of promising technologies.
In-Q-Tel reaches out broadly to find technologies and has delivered more than 130 technological solutions, many of which have contributed directly to CIA and IC missions. In-Q-Tel has reviewed more than 5,900 business plans, engaged with more than 90 companies, most of which were previously unknown to the government, and has identified and is currently transferring technologies from more than a dozen universities and research labs. In-Q-Tel‘s network extends to more than 200 venture capital firms and 100 labs and research organizations. For every dollar of In-Q-Tel investment, roughly eight dollars in private investment are leveraged to deliver capabilities to the IC totaling over $1B over In-Q-Tel’s history.
The Speaker:
Dr. Catherine Cotell is a vice president at In-Q-Tel focusing on university outreach and early stage investment. Her job is to identify, cultivate and pave a pathway to commercialization for university and private or federal laboratory technologies that may contribute to the mission of the IC. Dr. Cotell has been involved with many aspects of technology transfer as a research scientist and inventor of a number of patented technologies as well as the head of technology transfer at the US Naval Research Laboratory from 1999-2003.
February 14, 2007
Cancelled due to weather and rescheduled to 16 May 07
March 14, 2007
Topic: Universities and Federal Laboratories as Accelerators of Economic Growth
Speaker: Diane Palmintera, President, Innovation Associates
Presentation Abstract:
Ms. Palmintera will discuss how some universities and federal labs are spinning off high-tech start-ups at unprecedented rates and what universities, federal labs, communities and the Nation have to gain. Ms. Palmintera's books -- "Accelerating Economic Development through University Technology Transfer" and "Partners on a Mission: Federal Laboratory Practices Contributing to Economic Development" -- have been "best sellers" in the university and federal laboratory communities. She will outline how universities and federal labs are building effective commercialization relations with corporations and investors, and the issues that lie ahead.
The Speaker:
Diane Palmintera is the founder and President of Innovation Associates (IA). Founded in 1988, IA has worked with numerous federal agencies, international organizations, state governments, and academic institutions to develop and implement strategies that improve and leverage technology transfer and commercialization activities. Ms. Palmintera is the author of numerous books, and is frequently quoted in the national and international press. Prior to founding IA, Ms. Palmintera directed technology transfer projects for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, was a Senior Associate of the National Governors Association, and an Associate of the Urban Institute
April 11, 2007
Topic: NASA’s Centennial Challenge Initiative
Speaker: Ken Davidian, Innovative Partnerships Program, NASA
Presentation Abstract:
Ken Davidian will provide a background overview, and program performance information about NASA's prize program, Centennial Challenges. An historical justification for the prize methodology as a catalyst for technology development will also be presented. A current status of the Centennial Challenges program will be briefly presented with video from the most recent competitions.
The Speaker:
Ken Davidian is a NASA contractor currently supporting the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) and Centennial Challenges at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Within ESMD, he is charged with conducting and promoting commercialization efforts related to the Vision for Space Exploration and the Global Exploration Strategy. He is also the principal driver of Centennial Challenges, NASA's prize program modeled on past and ongoing prize competitions. Centennial Challenges was established to stimulate technology developments from private industry, universities, and individual innovators that support of the Vision for Space Exploration and ongoing NASA programs.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Davidian served as Director of Operations for the X PRIZE Foundation. Responsibilities in this position included managing the registration process, team information and relations, and many aspects of flight attempt validation, judging, and event coordination. In addition to his prize-related experience, he has worked for Paragon Space Development Corp. as Program Manager and also as Director of Operations consulting to Cargo Lifter Development. Mr. Davidian spent the first 18 years of his career working for NASA Glenn Research Center in the area of analytical and experimental research on the performance of liquid rocket engines. For a three-year period, NASA Glenn loaned Mr. Davidian to work at the International Space University as the Assistant Director of Operations for the 1997-1999 Summer Session Programs.
He is an alumnus of the International Space University, earned a B.S. degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the Ohio State University and a M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering (Fluid and Thermal Sciences) from Case Western Reserve University.
May 16, 2007
Topic: Commercializing Technology from Virginia Tech and
The Virginia Nanotechnology Initiative
Speakers:
Dr. Robert P. Lenk, President, NanoWorks Division, Luna Innovations, Inc.
and
Charles B. Gause,VP-Operations, NanoWorks Division, Luna Innovations, Inc.
Presentation Abstract:
Luna Innovations Incorporated researches, develops and commercializes innovative technologies in two primary areas:
molecular technology solutions and sensing solutions.
Luna nanoWorks, a division of Luna Innovations located in Danville, Virginia, has assembled a talented business and technical team with decades of development, commercialization and manufacturing expertise. The company is supported by a scientific advisory board consisting of recognized experts in the field of nanotechnology and nanomaterials. Luna nanoWorks’ proprietary TRIMETASPHERE™ carbon nanomaterials nanomaterials are fullerene spheres enclosing three metal atoms and a nitrogen atom. Luna nanoWorks is also developing proprietary functionalized derivatives of fullerenes and single wall carbon nanotubes.
As part of the Virginia Nanotechnology Initiative, Luna nanoWorks opened in Danville with a goal to help transform the Southside economy by promoting a high-technology image for the region and opening “new economy” jobs.
The Speakers:
Robert P. Lenk, Ph.D., President of the nanoWorks Division of Luna Innovations Inc. - Dr. Lenk is the founder of four companies, has been involved with three initial public offerings, and is experienced in bringing new biopharmaceuticals to market. In his career he has extensive experience with the spectrum of issues that accompany technology transfer during the commerialization process in this demanding environment. He served as President of Oncovector Inc., a biopharmaceutical company and is also a former President and Chief Executive Officer of Therapeutics 2000. He founded the Liposome Company and Argus Pharmaceuticals as well. Dr. Lenk holds a doctorate in Cell Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Charles B. Gause, Founder and Vice President of Luna nanoWorks, has been successful in establishing division operations, business development, and manufacturing processes for the Danville-based nanomaterials manufacturing fabrication facility. With an extensive manufacturing and engineering science background, Mr. Gause has been most recently working to identify and develop technologies into market opportunities based upon nanotechnology. At Luna, his focus areas are technology transfer into commercial products, development of advanced nanomaterials production processes, and all business development activities for the nanoWorks Division. Mr. Gause is a former R&D lead and production manager at Alcatel Telecommunications and a former manager and project leader at Monsanto/MEMC’s Si wafer production facilities in the U.S.
June 13, 2007
Topic: The European Union's new Framework Program for R&D -- Priorities, Funding, Support for Technology Innovation and Commercialization
Speaker: Dr. Mary Kavanagh, Counselor for Science, Technology, and
Education, Delegation of the European Commission
Presentation Abstract:
Dr. Kavanagh will provide an overview of the EU's new S&T Framework Program -- its priorities and implications with a focus on provisions promoting innovation and commercialization. Specifically, she will discuss how the EU determines which areas receive priority for R&D funding, what programs there may for encouraging the transfer of publicly funded basic research results to industry for commercialization, and how EU policy priorities may now be changing in these realms.
The Speaker:
Dr. Mary Kavanagh is the Counselor for Science, Technology and Education at the European Commission Delegation to the United States.
Prior to being posted to Washington in 2003, she had worked at the European Commission Headquarters in Brussels for 10 years. During that time she worked in several different research programs, notably International Co-operation, Life Sciences and Science and Society. She was the Commission liaison person for the European Research Advisory Board (EURAB). Before joining the Commission she worked at the Swiss Federal Office of Education and Science on international scientific co-operation.
She has a PhD in Plant Science from University College Cork, Ireland and has carried out post-doctoral research in France and Switzerland.