“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to create a training product that can be used across the western IDeA states. We are extremely excited to help other institutions learn from our areas of strength.” said Principal Investigator Dr. Robert DelCampo, Executive Director of the Anderson School of Management Innovation Academy.
The primary goal of this award and the IDeA Regional Entrepreneurship Development (I-RED) program is to support small business concerns in IDeA regions to develop educational products that promote entrepreneurship in underserved states through local academic institutions. Educational efforts utilizing these products are expected to build biomedical researchers' and students' entrepreneurial skills that are crucially needed to translate scientific discoveries and innovative technologies into commercial products to the benefit of the public and the patient.
With these goals in mind, Anderson’s Innovation Academy will adapt their current student-focused entrepreneurial training to the unique needs of medical professionals. Using Anderson’s current Executive and Professional Education course structure, innovation education will be accessible beyond New Mexico’s borders. The New Mexico Start-Up Factory, with its unique technology transfer process, will coordinate with both UNM Anderson and UNM Health Sciences Center to fine-tune these educational programs and launch them in the IDeA states with institutional support.
“The UNM Health Sciences Center is a regional and national leader in entrepreneurship and the commercialization of basic and translational research through licensing and the creation of startup companies. Such activities directly benefit patients and the public through the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics.” said Principal Investigator Dr. Eric Prossnitz from UNM Health Sciences Center.
With a fresh focus on entrepreneurial development, the New Mexico Start-Up Factory will lead the program through institutional collaboration focused on positive economic development and entrepreneurial support.
“This program will allow our team to go above and beyond in providing important resources to aspiring entrepreneurs and scientists while building successful institutional programs focused on innovative technology transfer,” said Vice President of the New Mexico Start-Up Factory, Andrea M. Garcia. “We are thrilled to collaborate with the western IDeA states to develop an educational product to advance technologies into the marketplace and establish a strong foundation for commercialization based on their specific needs.”
The ASCEND 2.0 program will be funded by this award for up three years and will provide faculty, trainees and students with interactive mentorship and education on technology transfer, equity funding, non-dilutive funding and key market development. By striving for these specific translational and economic goals, the impact of this grant will be significant and far reaching.
*Disclaimer: Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number UT2GM148080. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
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About The New Mexico Start-Up Factory
The New Mexico Start-Up Factory specializes in sourcing and transitioning laboratory technologies into investable companies. In our innovative model, we work with scientists and entrepreneurs striving to develop their innovations with the end goal of executing a commercialization strategy and implementing a strong business infrastructure. Through our program, technologists are coached through the validation of the technology and market, and are then paired with the right management team. A commercialization and business plan/model is formed and if all signs point to a good market opportunity and promising technological development, a company is formed. Companies and scientists that successfully complete the educational piece of the program are open to investment from the NMSUF Fund.
About The UNM Anderson School of Management
The Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico is dedicated to excellence in professional management education. At Anderson, faculty, staff and students are committed to shaping the intellect and character of the next generation of business leaders, advancing the knowledge and practice of management, promoting economic development, and building a vibrant intellectual community that serves the highest and best interests of all our stakeholders. Founded in 1947, Anderson offers more than a dozen concentrations at the BBA and MBA levels and is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business in the top 20% of business schools in the nation. For more information, visit mgt.unm.edu.
About The UNM Health Sciences Center
The UNM’s Health Sciences Center (HSC) is leading health care and research as an enterprise to a uniquely diverse population. Our team—from physicians and nurses to professors and leadership—is dedicated to making sure all New Mexicans have access to quality, cutting-edge health care when and where they need it. Our influence continues to grow through innovative medical research that reaches every corner of the globe.
