Tech Launch Arizona Commercialization Partners Take On UA Startups

Pictured above: Top row: Doug McFetters, Bruce Burgess, John Zipp, Patrick Marcus. Middle row: John Buttery, Dan Janes. Bottom row: Brian Ellerman, Ted Kraus, Aaron Call, Kelvin Ning, Dennis Merens. (Photo credit: Tech Launch Arizona)

Tucson, Ariz. – What are the ingredients for a successful university startup? When starting a new company like those based on research at the University of Arizona, Tech Launch Arizona (TLA) – the unit of the UA that commercializes inventions emanating from University research – understands that startups require a number of unique elements for success, such as great marketable ideas and great leadership.

With over $630 million in research last year, UA faculty research represents a rich source for those ideas and inventions that have incredible potential to impact society and the economy.

Now, with the addition of a new roster of Commercialization Partners (CPs), TLA adds business management into the mix of ingredients for success.

To fulfill the leadership needs of new UA-born companies, TLA recruited experienced entrepreneurs and leaders, and from an original pool of 44 applicants, selected 12 individuals to serve three distinct CP roles:

• EIR (Entrepreneur-in-Residence): EIRs are interested in starting companies based on UA technologies. They work in-residence at TLA for defined periods, during which they help to identify technologies with promise, with the goal of selecting one to lead into a startup. EIRs work with TLA, inventors and potential startup team members. This cohort of EIRs includes: Dan Janes(link is external), Aaron Call(link is external), Kelvin Ning(link is external), Ron Hahn(link is external), Doug McFetters(link is external) and John Zipp(link is external).
• XIR (Executive-in-Residence): XIRs work directly with TLA and UA inventors to identify the commercial potential of technologies and insert an “entrepreneurial perspective” into planning and discussions. Although an XIR may opt to participate in a startup, the position is designed to be “in-house entrepreneurial advisor” and is stipend-based. The group includes five XIRs: Brian Ellerman(link is external), Ted Kraus(link is external), John Buttery(link is external), Patrick Marcus(link is external) and Bruce Burgess(link is external).
• IIR (Investor-in-Residence): IIRs work with TLA to assess how ready companies are for investment by Cat Corp. Currently, Dennis Merens(link is external) is TLA’s IIR.

These twelve seasoned CPs provide high-level entrepreneurial input and perspective in the commercialization of UA technologies. They help the TLA team to determine the most viable and productive commercialization pathways for new technologies, and take on leadership roles to bring UA inventions to the marketplace.

One of the strengths of the group is that a large percentage are UA alumni, which opens the door to the connections and resources of the world-wide alumni network. All experienced entrepreneurs, CPs provide powerful business accumen that complements academic leadership, and the potential for stronger industry and investment relationships.

Similar programs have seen success in commercialization communities across the country, with examples in the technology transfer, business school and the venture capital sectors.

TLA began exploring a program design for the Commercialization Partners program in early 2014, when Dan Janes joined TLA as the inaugural Entrepreneur-in-Residence. In this role, he has been working with TLA on entrepreneurial aspects of individual technologies, interacting with researchers and investigating other executive-in-residence programs. By fall 2014, with Janes’ insight and TLA’s knowledge of UA-specific needs, the unit initaited the broader Commercialization Partners Program and began recruiting.

TLA held its first meeting of the complete CP cohort on December 5, 2014, providing them with a chance to meet one another and become better acquainted with the TLA team. At the meeting, TLA presented 14 projects from its startup pipeline, and as a result, each technology presented now has 2 or 3 partners engaged for an early assessment to help identify opportunities and next steps.

TLA Vice President David Allen is excited about the prospects for the future of the program.

“This is just a starting point for what TLA targets to become an extensive effort to grow the commercialization ecosystem,” he says. “As we bring on more commercialization partners , these top entrepreneurs and executives will participate in technology pathway discussions across the whole of TLA and make great contributions to the success of these ventures.”

The CPs themselves expressed their enthusiasm, as well.

“Over the past two years, Tech Launch Arizona has created a clear path for U of A faculty to commercialize their research and patents into products, services and licenses,” says Executive-in-Residence John Buttery. “I look forward to working with this talented group of professionals to facilitate the startup process, add value for the stakeholders and to create world-class companies.”

Learn more about the TLA Commercialization Partners program and get involved.