Western Michigan University

1903 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5200 • 269-387-1000
http://www.wmich.edu

Technology Transfer

Western Michigan University Research Foundation

http://www.wmich.edu/ovpr/technology-transfer/index.html

The Western Michigan University Research Foundation, housed in the Office of the Vice President for Research, is responsible for the management and commercialization of WMU's intellectual property. WMURF provides advice on general issues related to patents, copyrights, and commercialization (licensing of technology). The WMURF conducts an internal evaluation of the IP/Technology Disclosure and, when appropriate, obtains the advice of legal counsel regarding the patentability of the invention.

Incubators

Business Technology and Research Park

http://www.wmich.edu/btr/

The Business Technology and Research Park (BTR Park) is a high-tech business development that shares WMU’s 265-acre Parkview Campus with the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The park’s location means partner firms in the life sciences, advanced engineering and information technology will have regular opportunities to interact with the faculty, research staff and students of one of the nation’s top public universities.

The focus of the BTR Park is on the development of mutually beneficial relationships that involve resident businesses, the University and the Kalamazoo community. The private-sector firms that locate at the park are recruited from three key business sectors—life sciences, advanced engineering and information technology. The collaborations that result can range from nanotechnology and environmental research to initiatives in manufacturing engineering or the development of new products in the pharmaceutical arena.

The BTR Park is also home to two important resources (see descriptions below).

Southwest Michigan Innovation Center, a state-of-the-art high-tech/wet lab business incubator, which was launched by the regional economic development agency Southwest Michigan First
Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center at WMU, which provides commercialization expertise and research support to emerging life sciences ventures

Southwest Michigan Innovation Center

http://www.kazoosmic.com/

The Southwest Michigan Innovation Center is a 69,000 square-foot business incubator/accelerator which provides a comprehensive range of support and assistance to nurture the formation, survival, and growth of innovative, entrepreneurial, life science businesses. The Innovation Center opened its doors in 2003. Amenities of the Innovation Center include state of the art wet lab space, newly constructed executive office space, a subsidized, progressive rental structure, business services such as assistance with business and marketing plan development, common scientific and business equipment, and proximity to Western Michigan University resources. The Innovation Center is located in the Western Michigan University Business Technology Research Park in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a state-designated SmartZone.

Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center

http://www.brcc.wmich.edu/

The Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center (BRCC) is a commercially focused and science-driven translational research center that dedicates its pharmaceutical expertise and resources to the commercialization of promising life sciences discoveries and the growth of Michigan’s life sciences corridor. The BRCC supports promising new life sciences ventures entering the commercialization phases of development in a number of ways:

Startup and Gap Funding Assistance - Promising new ventures or individuals can apply to the BRCC for startup and Gap Funding assistance.

BioLaunch Pharmaceutical Development Services - As the founding location of The Upjohn Company and The Stryker Corporation, Kalamazoo, Michigan has a heritage of more than a century of drug development and medical device experience. This life sciences heritage has continued as an entrepreneurial business climate, scientific talent and funding sources have spawned a new generation of life science startup companies. BioLaunch can assist their clients in all aspects of pharmaceutical development, and fees are negotiable with services provided in exchange for cash, equity, royalties or a combination

Core Technology Alliance – BRCC is a member of the Core Technology Alliance (see www.ctaalliance.org). The mission of the Core Technology Alliance is to develop a collaborative network of technologically sophisticated core facilities to enhance life sciences research and product development throughout the State of Michigan. The BRCC brings a pharmaceutical commercialization expertise to the alliance

Battle Creek Aviation and e-Learning Smart ZoneSM

http://www.bcunlimited.org/backpages/viewdoc.asp?id=847

Amanda Lankerd, lankerd@bcunlimited.org

Aviation, aerospace and e-learning R&D are the foundation of the Battle Creek Aviation and e-Learning Smart ZoneSM. A combined emphasis on e-learning and aviation is unique in the United States. Driven by the dynamics of human factors research in aviation, technology advances in electronics and materials, and the emerging boom in Internet-based learning, the Battle Creek Aviation and e-Learning Smart ZoneSM is poised for tremendous growth.

An anchor of the Battle Creek Aviation and e-Learning Smart ZoneSM is Western Michigan University College of Aviation is a focal point for:

Research, development, commercialization and venture formation in aviation and aeronautics.
Pilot training. WMU College of Aviation is the only four-year institution of higher learning in North America jointly certified by the European Union Joint Aviation Administration (JAA) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The convergence of harmonized aviation standards, together with an interdisciplinary approach to aviation, psychology, neurology, sociology and decision theory to study flight operations, crew resource management, multi-crew cooperation, situational awareness, error management and physiological effects.