Our Q2 newsletter, Launchpad: Tapping into the voice of industry
Sometimes, the best venue to commercialize university IP is to spin-off a startup. New venture creation has been a primary focus for VCU TechTransfer and Ventures this year, and that means growing our in-house roster of entrepreneurs.
VCU’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence program has brought the “voice of industry” into our academic and health system communities. It is led by two primary EIRs — successful executives who have experienced both highs and lows that come with building companies, and can offer their insights and experiences to university researchers.
As an example, in May, the two EIRs met with a College of Engineering researcher. The pair offered the inventor some honest guidance that caused him to pivot and focus on a new application for his technology. The consensus was that the previous target market was too competitive and costly to enter. Despite a difficult conversation, the researcher appreciated the input and is emboldened in his new direction.
In June, VCU was awarded a grant from the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp. (VIPC)to fund our EIR program. Our primary EIRs include Gerard Eldering, who is also CEO of Perfusion Medical, a startup developing IP licensed from Martin Mangino, Ph.D., a surgery professor at the VCU School of Medicine (here’s more on Perfusion). We also added Richard Pellegrino, a skilled R&D executive with a background in medical devices and operations. And a partnership with BioHealth Innovation, based in the Capital region, gives us access to a number of industry experts with particular expertise in biotech and healthcare, core VCU tech-transfer markets.
VCU’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence program has brought the “voice of industry” into our academic and health system communities. It is led by two primary EIRs — successful executives who have experienced both highs and lows that come with building companies, and can offer their insights and experiences to university researchers.
As an example, in May, the two EIRs met with a College of Engineering researcher. The pair offered the inventor some honest guidance that caused him to pivot and focus on a new application for his technology. The consensus was that the previous target market was too competitive and costly to enter. Despite a difficult conversation, the researcher appreciated the input and is emboldened in his new direction.
In June, VCU was awarded a grant from the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp. (VIPC)to fund our EIR program. Our primary EIRs include Gerard Eldering, who is also CEO of Perfusion Medical, a startup developing IP licensed from Martin Mangino, Ph.D., a surgery professor at the VCU School of Medicine (here’s more on Perfusion). We also added Richard Pellegrino, a skilled R&D executive with a background in medical devices and operations. And a partnership with BioHealth Innovation, based in the Capital region, gives us access to a number of industry experts with particular expertise in biotech and healthcare, core VCU tech-transfer markets.
By bringing skilled industry experts to inventors early in the invention cycle, we enhance the chances of delivering VCU discoveries to the commercial market. The end result: greater prominence for VCU, economic development for Central Virginia, and technologies that improve and enhance human lives while addressing society’s grand challenges.
Enjoy this issue of Launchpad.
Ivelina Metcheva, Ph.D., MBA
Assistant Vice President for Innovation
VCU TechTransfer and Ventures
Enjoy this issue of Launchpad.
Ivelina Metcheva, Ph.D., MBA
Assistant Vice President for Innovation
VCU TechTransfer and Ventures