For our 10th anniversary, we interviewed Joann MacMaster, CEO of the Desert Angels. Joann served as TLA's Director of Venture Development for 6 years before moving on to her current role at DA. Prior to that, she was the director of the UA Center for Innovation. Through the years, Joann as made innumerable contributions to the strategic development of TLA and has helped innumerable startups and entrepreneurial teams achieve their goals.
"TLA has the common vision of the bigger picture, right? This isn't just about TLA. It's not just about the University of Arizona, and it's not about Desert Angels. It's about that broader calling that we all have to make startups meaningful. To make technology and research meaningful. And overall, to make the world a better place. TLA is doing that." –Joann MacMaster
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Transcript
It's not just about building a startup company or making a lot of money, right? It's about making a difference in understanding the potential – or the true potential – of the research, whether that is going into a startup company or going into, you know, an existing company, or taking some other shape or form. But it's really important and meaningful to bring that research out into the market and into the world to make the world a better place.
We took a look at all of the startup companies that have spun out of the university and the overall economic impact those companies have had within Arizona, and the results were significant. We didn't realize, I think, how much meaning that these companies brought to the local region. We're proud to be part of the overall economic impact that the U of A has had, and proud to, you know, contribute in our own way to the growth of the region.
The investment landscape has done a dramatic change, even in the last few years. We have more dollars in our region than ever before, and we all work together to support a university startup company.
We all have a mission and an interest to see university startup companies succeed. By working together we can better serve the companies. We can bring better resources to companies, and we can introduce them to a broader network of resources nationwide.
TLA is innovative among other universities, too. So TLA is a thought leader and it's a benchmark against which other universities look at their own commercialization activities. TLA, even today, still leads the way in certain programs and initiatives that other universities look to and benefit from, and it's very rewarding to be part of that.
TLA you know has the common vision of the bigger picture, right? This isn't just about TLA. It's not just about the University of Arizona, and it's not about Desert Angels. It's about that broader calling that we all have to make startups meaningful. To make technology and research meaningful. And overall, to make the world a better place. TLA is doing that.
When I walked in the building today, I looked at the list of all the startup companies on the wall and, I mean I almost cried. Because I could remember personal stories about every single one of those startups. I can't talk about any one of these startups, because then I would want to talk about all of these startups. Because each of them in their own way is a great success, and I'm very proud of all of the work that TLA has done to help those companies go forward. I think they're all great companies, and I love when we see companies come to Desert Angels that have gone through TLA, there's something very special and unique about them. You know they have a completely different perspective than any other startup company that we look at. And you know that makes us want to spend more time and energy with the company and do whatever we can to bolster and support them and potentially invest in them.
What I remember most about my time with TLA is the team. I remember the fun and the laughter and the birthday cakes. And I remember the cowbell when we're celebrating successes. I remember the camaraderie and it felt like and still feels like we're a family. And even though I no longer work for TLA and now I work for Desert Angels, we still work together because we're on both sides of that effort of moving those startup companies out into the world.
I remember those moments of fun and laughter with the team. Take a moment. Be proud of all of the accomplishments and things that you've done and the difference that you made, both within the university, and the region, and in our world.
I can't wait to see what you’ll do next.