Innovation Review

Experiential Learning in Technology Commercialization

Many programs in New York State share the philosophy that experiential learning opportunities offer a unique and valuable way for students interested in technology commercialization to learn. Because of the “win-win” nature of these programs, an increasing number of research universities in New York offer some sort of experiential learning opportunity.  The double win is the fact that companies receive free research under the direction of experienced faculty, and students interested in technology commercialization receive the opportunity to gain real world experience, thereby increasing their suitability for employment in high-tech areas.

At the Technology Commercialization Research Center at Syracuse University College of Law, the philosophy has long been held that intellectual property law is but one leg of the support structure necessary to commercialize a new technology. In completing research projects for actual companies or inventors, students acquire real life experience managing the myriad of issues involved in technology commercialization.  This Technology Commercialization Clinic concept was enthusiastically received such that its originator, Ted Hagelin, sought and received funding to assist the establishment of similar clinics in other research universities.

Technology Commercialization Clinic Network of some of these TCC’s has developed to share information, best practices and resources regarding educational curricula, selection of projects, and organization of research for the companies or inventors seeking research relevant to a potential commercialization project. The network is open to any interested New York State graduate educational program, and the research reports are open to any New York State research center, company or inventor – with priority given to NYSTAR sponsored centers. Current programs and universities are: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships  at SUNY Binghamton, The Shipley Center for Innovation at Clarkson, the College of Business Administration at Niagara University, Saunders College of Business at RIT, theCenter for Biotechnology at SUNY Stony Brook and the College of Law  at Syracuse University.

One of the highlights of the Building Human Capital to Drive New York’s Innovation Economy was presentations from universities with such unique programs. An especially innovative, emerging program is Cornell NYC Tech, profiled in a separate article in this newsletter. Other innovative programs presented at the conference were:

The University of Rochester has developed a Medical Technology Innovation Masters Program.    Students work with medical practitioners to observe their practice and identify “pain” or problem areas in need of a solution. In this way, they better create innovative device solutions for focused clinical problems. They do this through a cross-disciplinary collaboration with the college of medicine, practitioners, hospital personnel, engineers and others. The program seeks to improve patient care and outcomes while promoting a unique education in both clinical care and bioengineering design.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers a Master of Science in Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship, an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Lally School of Management, 11 academic departments at Rensselaer, and Albany Law School.   The program is founded on the idea that: “Successful commercialization of technology requires not only technical understanding, but also a basic foundation in management that covers bringing the product to market by developing a business plan, obtaining funding, staffing and managing the enterprise, and understanding how to value and protect intellectual property.” The goal is to prepare a new generation of technology entrepreneurs who have an advanced understanding of technology, a fundamental understanding of commercial functions and analytics, and practical experience in the process of innovation and technological commercialization.

Syracuse University has incorporated entrepreneurial learning into many of its schools – The Kauffman Initiative on Entrepreneurship at the School of Information Studies, the Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship at the Whitman School of Management, Maxwell School of Public Policy, and the Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship at the Newhouse School, and the Center for Advanced Technology at the L.C. Smith School of Engineering.

At Clarkson University, The Shipley Center for Innovation  accelerates the commercialization of discovery-driven Clarkson innovations into the marketplace. The Center fosters and accelerates the exchange of ideas between the various schools on campus and industry to prepare and educate the faculty and students for the entrepreneurial workplace.  As a center of technology, engineering, applied science and education, Clarkson University is well suited to reach these objectives.

Advocates for experiential learning cite the opportunities for both students and technology commercialization that are promoted through this learning style.  New York State is well positioned to cite its ability to meet the demand for human capital to its list of competitive advantages.

Cornell NYC Tech

In December 2010, New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg launched Applied Sciences NYC, an initiative to partner with a top institution to develop a new or expanded applied sciences and engineering campus in New York City. The city would supply land, Roosevelt Island in the East River, up to $100 million capital, and the support of their administration. The institution would supply the plan and do the work of carrying the project out.

 

Real world experience is the cornerstone of the program, students work closely with industry. Each semester, students are put into teams that pair with real companies on projects called Cooperative Masters Projects. These projects involve developing a technical opportunity or solving a challenge for the partner company. This spring of 2013, the program began a  “beta” class, eight full-time students, paired with a mix of companies such as start-up Tapestry, the nonprofit Robin Hood Foundation, and industry giant Google.

Students take technical and business classes Monday through Thursday but Friday is reserved for an interdisciplinary practicum, Entrepreneurial Life. Practicums are led by guest practitioners, entrepreneurs, designers, artists, and lawyers to give students a broad and first-hand understanding of success in the business world.

Instructors include Cornell University professors as well as interested professionals from other universities or industry. Considerations given to practical experience and professors are also encouraged to take time off to work on commercial or nonprofit projects. Instead of traditional office hours, or even offices, professors and students have a desk with low dividers in an open air area to encourage constant interaction. Conference rooms are available if needed. In a first of its kind arrangement, the United States Commerce Department has stationed a patent officer on the program’s premises to assist with patent applications and commercial strategies.

While the development of the Roosevelt Island campus is still underway, Google donated space in its Chelsea building for the program to use until then. The donation allocates a total of 22,000 square feet on an upper floor to the school with the option to expand into an additional 36,000 square feet over three years. Cornell is responsible for the costs of operating there and must be moved out of the space in five and a half years.

The Roosevelt Island campus is an important part of the Cornell NYC Tech venture. The proposed campus was approved by Manhattan’s Community Board 8 and recently the New York City Planning Commission gave their approval as well. The campus will be built in two phases, with the first phase beginning in 2014 and an overall completion date of 2037.

Phase One includes academic and residential buildings, as well as co-location buildings, specifically designed to be leased by tech startups and other organizations working with the Cornell Tech faculty and students. When the first phase is completed in 2017, students and faculty will move from their location in in the Google building to the newly built facilities. Phase Two includes several more buildings with the goal of a campus in harmony with its surroundings.

The tech campus hopes to be a model of sustainable development and energy efficiency. The first academic building has a net-zero energy goal, producing as much energy as it consumes. Plans are being considered to utilize solar power as well as geothermal energy and collaboration with companies currently experimenting with submerging turbines in the East River to generate energy from the current.

The vision and goals of the Cornell NYC Tech are far-reaching, but the potential benefits for innovation are dramatic. Institutions throughout the world will watch with interest to see how the program fares.

Legislative Update

This month’s legislative update comes from the Syracuse University Office of Office of Government and Community Relations with thanks to Diana Napolitano.

 

The budget was relatively good to higher education, adding $70M in new funds for higher ed. Opportunity programs were increased by about 3%, reversing a five-year trend of cuts, and stagnation. Other programs pertaining to higher education were fully funded, such as the Centers for Advanced Technology, and direct institutional “Bundy” Aid.

 

Economic Development

On the economic development front, a third round of Regional Economic Development Councils received $150M in capital funding and $70M in tax credits, but the final budget agreement rejected the Governor’s proposed $720M in “transformational projects”.

 

Additionally, the Legislature modified the Governor’s proposed Innovation Hotspots and Incubators program, combining them into one program, funded at $1.25M (growing to $5 million). Incubators will receive operating support, in a program managed by ESDC. There appears to be no limit on how many entities may be designated as a New York State Incubator.  Support per incubator has yet to be determined; each grant must be matched $2 for every $1 in state support.  All grant funds must go directly to the operations.  No state funds may be used for overhead and indirect costs. Qualified incubators—virtual or physical—will be able to apply to be one of 10 ESDC-designated “Hot Spots”—one per region. There will be five hotspots named in 2013-14, and five named in 2014-15. Being a hotspot will entitle the incubator’s tenants to tax breaks.

To be designated as a New York State Incubator or Innovation Hot Spot, an entity must:

  •  Have been in existence for at least three fiscal years (or demonstrate continued staffing, program, and purpose if the governing entity has changed);
  •  Be connected to regional sources of innovation and expertise;
  •  Demonstrate that it creates jobs and incubates businesses with higher than average success rates; and
  •  Provide a strategic plan for continuing success for at least three fiscal years after designation.

Additionally, the legislature agreed to fund the Innovation Venture Capital Fund at $50M. The Fund will help new and existing businesses in New York State develop ideas and research into products to market. The funds will be distributed according to a plan developed by ESDC and approved by the Budget Director, President of the Senate, Speaker of the Assembly, and the minority leaders of the Senate and Assembly. To be eligible for funding, an applicant must: (1) be located or agree to relocate to New York; (2) be in seed-, early-, or venture-stage of development; and (3) have the potential to generate additional economic activity in New York State. ESDC is responsible for creating rules for evaluating applications. Details on how the fund will be set up, and eligibility requirements, are still being worked out.

 

Employers

For employers, the cost of doing business will increase as minimum wage rises via a three-year phase-in to $9/hour. The first increase to $8 per hour will become effective on December 31, 2013. A year later, it will increase to $8.75 and then, by December 31, 2015, it will increase to $9 per hour. As in the past, the new minimum wage requirement exempts student workers that attend the college or university where they are working. It is projected that this labor cost increase will have a direct and indirect impact of close to $1B a year on commercial and non-profit entities. However, businesses will receive a tax credit for hiring young students. There will also be a tax credit for hiring unemployed veterans.

 

Community and Workforce Development

“Next Generation Jobs Linkage Program”: This program for community college vocational programs requires evidence of student success in finding jobs by partnering with employers. The requirement is incentive funding based on student success measures.

The Community schools program is funded at $15M.

 

SUNY and CUNY

The Enacted Budget includes an additional $30.8 million in funding for SUNY and CUNY community colleges. This equates to a $150 per full-time student equivalent increase. It also calls for the third round of SUNY 2020 and launches CUNY 2020—competitive grants for projects that connect economic development and academic excellence. The Budget requires SUNY to establish a remedial program modeled after the CUNY Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP).  The SUNY program will be called the Graduation, Achievement and Placement Program (GAP).  SUNY and CUNY also received $1.7 million each to support these remedial programs.

 

Budget Item 12-13 Enacted Budget 13-14 Enacted Budget
Centers for Advanced Technology $13.82M $13.82M
NYSTAR Science & Tech Law Ctr. $343,000 $343,000
Centers of Excellence operating $5,234,000 = $872,333 per Center $5,234,000 = $872,333  per Center
High Technology Matching Grants Program $4.61M $4.61M
Higher Ed. Facilities Capital Match Program Re-approp $53M Re-approp $45M
Empire State Stem Cell Research/ NYS Stem Cell Science Board $44.80 M $44.80M
Innovation Economy Matching Grants $29.5M $22.67M (re-approp)
Innovation Hotspots and Incubators n/a $1.25M
Innovation Venture Capital Fund n/a $50M
Regional economic development councils n/a $150M (capital projects) + $70M tax credits

 

NYS Events: SmartStart UNYTECH Venture Forum

2013 SmartStart UNYTECH Venture Forum

 


Marketed and recognized by many East Coast and Mid-Atlantic venture funds as the place to discover new Upstate NY technology companies, the SmartStart UNYTECH Venture Forum is being held in Albany May 15th and 16th. Each year the forum recognizes standout company presentations with Best Business Presentation, Most Promising Technology and Most Likely to be Funded awards. The forum displays promising early-stage companies from all of New York and beyond. It allows companies to meet with VC funds, seed investment funds, angel groups and investors to explain their technologies as well as introduce their company’s teams and plans for succeeding in the marketplace. Upcoming companies are also given exposure to experienced entrepreneurs for their potential involvement.

Wednesday and Thursday, May 15th and 16th 2013
The Desmond Hotel
660 Albany Shaker Road 
Albany, NY 12211

For questions contact: Elena D’Agnese

NYS Events: Biotechnology Symposium

2013 Biotechnology Symposium

 


SUNY-ESF is holding a Biotechnology Symposium on May 16th and 17th in Syracuse. The goal of the symposium is to bring together representatives from industry representatives, scientists, academics and students, as well as other professionals interested in biotechnology in order to develop collaborations and relationships to further advance the field.There will be a poster show by students as well as exhibits from sponsors and industry for attendees to check out. Presentations cover a variety of topics and concurrent sessions in specific topics are scheduled. Online registration is open through May 13th for professionals and students and onsite registration will also be available at the Gateway Center.

Sessions Include: 

• Drug Delivery/Nanotechnology
• Fermentation
• Tissue Engineering
• Biomaterials
• Bioenergy
• Biopharmaceuticals and more

Thursday and Friday, May 16th and 17th, 2013
SUNY-ESF Gateway Center
1 Forestry Drive
Syracuse, NY 13210

NYS Events: NYSSTLC Spring Webcasts

Three webcasts will be offered in May and June.  The first one is Wednesday, May 8th.  Jack Rudnick will discuss industry working with universities.  Don’t miss these informative sessions offered through the ESD/NYSTAR sponsored NYS Science & Technology Law Center.

June 19, 12 – 1

John Tracy: US Commercial Service – Connecting To Global Markets  
The US Commercial Service offers a wealth of services including working with companies considering exporting to plan, develop and implement export programs and strategies. This webcast will provide information on this U.S. Department of Commerce program and the support it provides with regard to expanding trade and providing information to US companies. Areas that will be addressed include identifying and exploring appropriate export opportunities in overseas markets, information about market conditions, trade opportunities, and details of problems affecting trade in regions all over the world and the analysis of trade statistics.
John Tracy is an International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce. Prior to his position with Commerce he worked for an international logistics, freight forwarding and Customs brokerage company in Rochester, NY, for a Hong Kong-based steamship line in New York, and managed international logistics for a chemical manufacturing company in New Jersey. He has a B.S. in Economics from Clarkson University and an M.S. in International Transportation Management from the New York Maritime College. He holds a Chartering Certificate from the Association of Ship Brokers and Agents and is a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP).

REGISTER HEREJuly 24, 12 – 1

SUCOL Professor Lisa Dolak: Patent Office Post-Grant Contested Proceedings: New Challenges, New Opportunities
Lisa Dolak is the Angela S. Cooney Professor of Law at Syracuse University College of Law.  She will review the new USPTO post-issuance review proceedings implemented pursuant to the American Invents Act.  Conducted by the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board (formerly the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences), new proceedings include inter partes review, post-grant review, transitional post-grant review for covered business method patents, and derivation proceedings.
Professor Dolak’s research interests include issues at the intersections of patent law and judicial procedure, and patent law and legal ethics. Her current research projects focus on the evolving inequitable conduct doctrine, a reconsidered theory of subject matter conflicts, and the interplay between USPTO post-grant proceedings and federal court and ITC litigation.  She served as law clerk to the Hon. Paul F. Michel, retired Chief Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and currently serves as a member of the Federal Circuit’s Advisory Council. She teaches courses on patent law, Internet law, and practice and procedure in the federal courts. 
1.5 CLE Credit Available through OCBA

Fall 2013 (Exact date TBA)

Jack Rudnick: Technology Transfer from a Licensee’s Perspective 
Jack Rudnick is an experienced corporate and intellectual property attorney with a specialty in advising emerging technology clients about complex contracts and patents. He will discuss strategies for industry seeking to work with universities including how to identify and access resources at universities such as intellectual property, research equipment and talent.
He is of Counsel at Hiscock and Barclay LLP, advising the Emerging Technology Team which provides a suite of services designed to support technology-based and start-up technology companies. He is an adjunct professor with the Technology Commercialization Law Program team at Syracuse University College of Law, where he also lectures. As former vice president and general counsel to Welch Allyn, Skaneateles, NY and Senior Vice President of Legal and Government Affairs at Blue Highway, he has a wealth of experience working with industry and universities in commercializing new technologies.  Mr. Rudnick is also an adjunct professor with theTechnology Commercialization Law Programat Syracuse University College of Law.