Innovation Enterprise
Overview
helping inventors & entrEpreneurs from lab to market
At the University of South »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË, our robust innovation ecosystem supports researchers, inventors, and entrepreneurs as they translate technology from the lab to the marketplace. Our expertise, resources, and facilities work together to foster the growth of early-stage technologies and entrepreneurial start-up companies.
Technology Transfer Office
The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) turns ground-breaking research into real-world solutions through intellectual property protection, licensing and marketing. TTO works with companies interested in licensing or starting a new business around »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË patents and intellectual property, and with »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË researchers and students to ready new inventions for the patenting process and potential licensing opportunities. TTO helps inventors prepare their inventions for patenting.
TTO promotes and facilitates business development and entrepreneurship by bringing researchers together with experienced entrepreneurs and investors to form companies for the purpose of commercializing »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË technologies. We have over 600 technologies available for licensing opportunities.
»Ê¼Ò»ªÈË Research Foundation
»Ê¼Ò»ªÈË supports economic development in the Tampa Bay region and the State of »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË by educating and training students for productive careers, by supporting research and technology transfer, and by providing information and scholarly resources needed by the community.
The »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË Research Foundation supports this mission and enhances the research activities of »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË faculty, staff, and students. Through its programs, the »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË Research Foundation, Inc., brings together the strengths of »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË and the region to provide a critical interface that stimulates high-tech and biotech industries and creates jobs. The »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË Research Foundation, owns and operates the »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË Research Park.
»Ê¼Ò»ªÈË CONNECT
»Ê¼Ò»ªÈË CONNECT is a business and economic development initiative of the University of South »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË that provides support for companies including technology and life science startups by facilitating access to top-tier research, programming, faculty, students, supporting organizations and funding sources through:
»Ê¼Ò»ªÈË CONNECT focuses on the needs of Tampa Bay's technology and bio/life sciences entrepreneurs, providing the facilities, partners and resources for successful business development, including access to technologies, workforce programs, technology commercialization, critical research equipment, incubator facilities, faculty researchers, student interns, and a matching grants program.
»Ê¼Ò»ªÈË High Tech Corridor
An economic development initiative of three research universities – the University of Central »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË, the University of South »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË and the University of »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË â€“ »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË High Tech Corridor converges and catalyzes the capacity of high tech, innovation and bright minds across a 23-county region to generate a global ripple effect that advances the lives of people in the communities it serves.
The Corridor offers multiple funding opportunities at »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË to support collaborative industry research, early-stage faculty innovation, and undergraduate research through its:
Innovation Partnerships
- The »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË Inventors Hall of Fame honors and celebrates those inventors whose achievements have advanced the quality
of life for Floridians, our state and our nation.
- I-Corps at »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË teaches university entrepreneurs with a targeted curriculum to identify valuable
product opportunities that can emerge from academic research, and offers entrepreneurship
training to participants.
- The Institute for Advanced Discovery and Innovation brings together internationally recognized senior leaders—academics, industry heads,
and innovators from diverse fields—to advise the administrative leadership of the
university, share insights with »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË's high-achieving faculty, mentor the university's
most promising students, and make lasting contributions to both the Tampa Bay Area
and the state of »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË.
- The honors academic invention; recognizes and encourages inventors; enhances the visibility
of university and non-profit research institute technology and innovation; encourages
the disclosure of intellectual property; educates and mentors innovative students;
and translates the inventions of its members to benefit society. The »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË Chapter of the NAI is open to all members of the »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË community including alumni and affiliates who have
received an issued patent from the USPTO.
- The Tampa Bay Regional Consortium is working to drive inclusive development, innovation, and prosperity across the Tampa Bay region. Through collective action, strategic partnerships and open collaboration, Tampa Bay can accelerate its growth in key technology sectors to create a vibrant ecosystem that empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and advances the region as a hub of opportunity and excellence.