More than 200 Midwestern university technology managers, researchers and administrators will gather in Indianapolis this summer at a meeting that could have an impact on economic development in Indiana’s thriving life sciences and information technology industries.
These professionals are members of the central region of the Association of University Technology Managers who work to bring discoveries at universities and other nonprofits to the marketplace, unlocking the discoveries’ potential to create new companies and jobs, and benefit individuals and the economy as a whole.
Association members include Indiana University Research & Technology Corporation officials; technology transfer and research directors and staff at other universities in Indiana and the Midwest; representatives from industry and government organizations; patent attorneys and accountants who place a value on technology; and other support professionals.
The AUTM 2013 Central Region Meeting, July 17 to 19, will take place at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis. Its theme is “Raising the Game.”
“The meeting enables colleagues to come together and share best practices and discuss where things are going in the technology transfer field,” said Tony Armstrong, president and CEO of the IU Research & Technology Corp.
At its core, technology transfer is about how best to take technologies and put them into the marketplace in some way, Armstrong said. “Sometimes that is licensing it to an existing company, and sometimes that means creating a company around the technology to help move it along. That is a big part of the discourse at the AUTM meeting as well.”
IU Research & Technology Corp has worked with IU faculty and students to develop more than 1,800 inventions, about 500 patents and more than three dozen start-up companies.
Association of University Technology Managers meetings attract venture capitalists and other capital providers to see what technologies are available, Armstrong said. “The meeting in July is focused on professional development, but it offers opportunities for deal making, and I would not be surprised if that occurs. It’s a chance for companies that are potential licensees to be involved, to hear what’s happening and to interact with people who are managing technology.”
Because the Association of University Technology Managers Central Region meeting is in Indianapolis, it also offers the opportunity to showcase what’s occurring at IUPUI, including new construction that’s related to research, Armstrong said. “All that activity surprises people, particularly if they are visiting the city for the first time. Every time you have a chance to showcase the city and the campus, it’s a great opportunity.”
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Members of the media who are interested in covering the AUTM Central Region meeting may request a press pass by contacting Jodi Talley, AUTM director of communications, at 847-559-0846 x 237 or at jtalley@autm.net