This award is to Potland Sate University to support the activity described below for 36 months. The proposal was submitted in response to the Partnership for Innovation Program Solicitation (NSF-04556).
Partners The partners include Portland State University (Lead Institution), Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University, University of Oregon, Oregon Association of Minority Enterpreneurs, Oregon Enterpreneurs Forum. Oregon Bioscience Association, American Electronics Association, Intellectual Assests, Northwest Technology Ventures, OVP Ventures Partners, Davis Wright Tremaine, Stoel Rives, WellchAllyn, Community Development Department, Oregon Council for Knowledge and Economic Development, and Oregon Development Commission.
The primary objectives are to form a public-private partnership to create market plans and strategies for licensing agreements and formation of new businesses, outreach to the public to recruit and train the next generation of entrepreneurs, capitalize of the excellent research leadership in the state, establishment of a multi-stage financing plan, creation of a science and engineering research network in the region.
Potential Economic Impact The proposed innovations will create a goal of 12 new technologies by the end of the third year of the award. The unemployment rate in Oregon is among the highest in the nation. These new companies will provide new high tech employment opportunities in the region. Entrepreneurial education and training will be offered to existin and future students to ensure the workflow needed to sustain innovation in the region.
The intellectual merit of the project includes formation of partnerships among academic, government, and the private sector to foster high tech, research based innovation in the region. The partnership includes university faculty and students, state, regional and local government, and the business community (including venture fund comapanies). The workforce to empower the innovation will be trained and educated in academic and outreach programs.
The broader impacts of the activity concentrate on education and training of current and future enterpreneurs. There is a strong emphasis on involvement of underrepresented groups.
