Touching base with a trail blazer

Strategic plan to match up inventions with industry needs
1513_ 3/13/14 - Last year, the University of Arizona (UA) realized that it was far behind other universities in the complex field of technology transfer. It recruited an industry trailblazer, David Allen, as executive director and vice president of TLA and tasked him with taking the UA to the top tier of universities that package big ideas for companies both global and local. "The University of Arizona faculty is very competitive," Allen says, sitting in his office between the campus and downtown. "We want them to think beyond the research finding to the application. We’ll help them take an idea no one may have seen before and turn it into the basis of a product or service." After his arrival last August, Allen, who reports directly to UA President Ann Weaver Hart, sent out a call for inventions. Forty-six faculty members responded, and TLA selected 19 projects to support, after screening by industry experts. Other innovations that TLA will be talking to investors and company executives about include a new cancer drug, a water contamination sensor, a device for monitoring infection in wounds, and a way to produce bricks from mine tailings. Launching products, as Allen understands from 30 years in technology management and commercialization, is an art form that includes managing costs and expectations and working with technology and business leaders, lawyers, venture capitalists, and "business angels" (high net worth new business investors). Allen has designed what experts say is a sophisticated strategic plan to match up UA inventions with industry needs. Colorado, toward the end of the decade Allen spent there, did slightly over $30 million in one year.
RELATED LINKS: Tech Launch UA || UA David Allen || In the News || w3w3 Blog || KEYWORDS: Dave Allen, University of Arizona, UA, TLA, Technology Leaders, Business Leaders, Lawyers, Venture Capitalists, Business Angels, bytes=10776140
LISTEN TO: David Allen, Executive Director, Tech Launch Arizona, University of Arizona

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