Conference Dates

January 12-16, 2003

Abstract

The Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California, San Diego has created a new center to support the commercialization of technology developed within the school as well as to educate engineering students in entrepreneurism ñ the culture of entrepreneurial environments. It is hoped that this experimental center will become a model for research universities wanting to successfully commercialize research and develop an entrepreneurial culture for faculty, researchers and students. The von Liebig Center for Entrepreneurism and Technology Advancement has three distinct functions within the Jacobs School of Engineering: 1. The von Liebig Center staff serve to advise and guide researchers through the commercialization process and introduce them to experts, alliances and opportunities both inside and outside the University. The staff can help inventors assess the commercial viability of their technology, the stages of development necessary for commercialization, and the competitive environment. 2. Funds of up to $100,000 per project can be awarded to researchers to accelerate the commercialization process. These funds may be used in a wide variety of ways to add value to the inventorís idea. For example, funds may be used to conduct further research leading to proof of concept or prototypes, hire outside expert consultants, or advance intellectual property protection. 3. New courses have been developed to introduce engineering students to entrepreneurism ñ the culture of entrepreneurial environments. The curriculum gives engineering students an overview of how entrepreneurial companies work, while also providing them with the basic tools necessary for contributing to business discussions and decision making. Courses emphasize teamwork as well as the business skills needed by engineers preparing to work in entrepreneurial companies in different capacities, e.g., project engineer, CTO, or CEO.

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