State agencies build collaborative effort utilizing universities’ research programs
BISMARCK, N.D. – The Intellectual Property (IP) Commercialization Initiative officially began September 3, under a collaborative effort by the North Dakota Department of Commerce, the Bank of North Dakota, North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota.
The three-year initiative will promote economic diversification through the commercialization of IP, while assisting the university system by promoting access to private funding to expand and leverage research portfolios.
“Our unique, exciting IP partnership promotes economic diversification by connecting the expertise and talent of the UND faculty and students with private sector partners to foster new discoveries, innovation and economic growth in North Dakota,” said Amy Whitney, director of UND Center for Innovation. “Our goal is to support diversification in current and future industry sectors by bringing new business and jobs to North Dakota. This collaboration is also an opportunity to create new connections, which is a foundation of innovation and creative activity.”
State agencies will identify opportunities across the region for sponsored research partnerships. Selected entrepreneurs will secure capital and subject matter expertise from a collaborative effort among all participating agencies.
“The IP Initiative is a very unique partnership that will bring all of our universities’ amazing research together to promote economic growth across our state,” Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer said. “This is an exciting start toward innovative collaboration that will bring new ideas forward and increase our state’s capital.”
The North Dakota Department of Commerce will promote private funding by working closely with existing businesses, entrepreneurs and venture capital firms to promote economic growth by utilizing current North Dakota University System’s research projects.
Examples of available research disciplines include agriculture, biomedical research, business, coating and polymer science, computer science, education and engineering.
“As part of North Dakota State University’s land grant mission, we collaborate and partner with industry to best serve the citizens of North Dakota,” said Jane Schuh, vice president for Research and Creative Activity at NDSU. “In doing so, we create new opportunities for commerce in the state while giving our students real-world experience solving problems that help generate the ideas that will drive our economy forward.”