A Better Place to Live
UT Invests in Toledo’s future
For the majority of the year, University of Toledo professors are in classrooms, mentoring students for their lives after college. And on the Health Science Campus, health care specialists are working to improve the lives of their patients. But UT professionals aren’t just concerned with success on campus; they’re putting their knowledge into action. Their research in areas like biomedicine, transportation, education and alternative energy is helping boost Toledo’s economy.
Building the capacity to succeed
In 2002, economic development and engagement with the business community of Toledo became a top priority for UT. Under the initial leadership of Dan Johnson, it became understood that in order to support both large and small companies, the University needed to increase its engagement with regional organizations and individuals involved in building technology-based enterprises. That’s why UT created the Science and Technology Corridor, and then later in 2005 purchased the building that is now the Clean and Alternative Energy Incubator.
The Incubation Center, and the other locations on campus used for incubation, provide small companies a location that gives them the visibility of a larger company while they are developing their businesses and technologies. The Incubation program provides business assistance, access to University resources, and access to other economic development partners in the region.
“We have the pleasure of working with the future of Northwest Ohio every day,” says Megan Reichert-Kral, Director of Incubation at UT. “Others see the doom and gloom in the media, but we are working with the employers of Toledo’s future every day. These companies are doing the heavy lifting of job creation. We have the pleasure of helping them navigate a variety of resources, both inside and outside of the university, that are available to them, and our team provides them with guidance along the way.”
Due to the University’s commitment to company engagement, organizational outreach, and the success of the Technology Transfer and Incubation programs, they are now viewed as a significant asset in economic development circles.
At least five major solar start-up companies have been licensed through the efforts of the Technology Transfer group and emerged out of the University. Other spin-off companies created through the Technology Transfer group include Gene Express Corporation, Mithridion, Inc. and Freedom Meditech. As UT evaluated the technology transfer successes, it strived to do even better. In 2009, the University created University of Toledo Innovation Enterprises. With companies like SuGanit Systems, Shadeplex and Ugly Data, Inc., UT Innovation Enterprises, the Technology Transfer group, and the Incubation group continue to help companies advance both their business success and their technologies.
UT Innovation Enterprises streamlines all the services that new, innovative businesses need to become successful. “By bringing together research, technology transfer, patenting, incubation, workforce development and the Science and Technology Corridor, we have more flexibility with investments,” says Frank Calzonetti, Vice President of Research Development at UT. “It allows us to have one foot in the University and one foot in the community.”
So what does this mean for the community?
“The passion to generate new opportunities, develop potential, and transform Toledo is what drives faculty and staff at UT,” says Mary Jo Waldock, Associate Vice President for UT Innovation Enterprises. “They’re highly motivated to share their knowledge. Their excitement to see these technology-based organizations grow comes from their genuine desire to improve the lives – and the human condition – of people in Toledo.”
This drive is leading research and innovation in areas that will take the region to the next level. Renewable energy has already put UT and Toledo on the map. “We will continue to explore and advance renewable energy,” says Calzonetti, who conceived and initiated UT’s alternative energy programs in 2001. “We can help our community, state and nation solve its own energy challenges. It’s an opportunity to solve problems around the entire globe.”
Among several other technology-based endeavors, doctors and bioengineers at UT are collaborating to design solutions for medical problems, like cancer and degeneration of discs in the spine. In addition, UT Innovation Enterprises is helping to make resource-rich Toledo a major intermodal transportation center.
From invention advancement, protection and patenting, to marketing plans and funding, UT Innovation Enterprises is perfecting the process for big ideas to quickly become lucrative businesses that generate jobs for people in the region.
“The work we are doing in the Technology Transfer group and through Incubation is much bigger than fostering innovation,” says Daniel Kory, Assistant Vice President for Technology Transfer. “We’re generating new opportunities, developing potential in Toledo, and transforming our old economy into a new economy.” For example, people who were once creating auto parts can redevelop, sharpen and transform their valuable skills to work in areas that are in higher demand, like wind turbines to generate electricity.
“UT is unique. Our aggressive approach to transforming the entire region is rare,” says Calzonetti. “Our mission and goals are already impacting the world. And one of the most encouraging goals for Toledo is more, higher paying jobs.”
Click here to learn more about economic–boosting research at UT.
