techDaily.info :: Public Workshop to Focus on R&D and Tech Commercialization as Means to Better-paying Jobs in Florida

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Public Workshop to Focus on R&D and Tech Commercialization as Means to Better-paying Jobs in Florida

Posted: 10/9/2002

Posted By:	Enterprise Florida		Contact:	Kimberle Prunty
Phone:	407-316-4716		Email:	kprunty@eflorida.com

PUBLIC WORKSHOP TO FOCUS ON R&D AND TECH COMMERCIALIZATION AS MEANS TO BETTER-PAYING JOBS IN FLORIDA

– Business, education and economic development leaders to explore resources, next steps in high-tech “creation” strategy –

ORLANDO, Fla. (October 8, 2002) – What do Silicon Valley, Cambridge, Mass. and Austin, Texas have that Florida wants? Whole new industries that were “created” from within through significant investment in technology R&D and commercialization. During a statewide public workshop in Orlando on October 16, research universities, tech companies, incubators, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs will explore how Florida can do the same.

“Florida has enjoyed tremendous success in attracting new industry to the state and in nurturing those industries already here,” said Darrell Kelley, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, the state’s economic development organization that is coordinating the workshop. “But the time has come to add another weapon to our arsenal: a “creation” strategy that promotes and capitalizes on the R&D activity taking place at the universities and transferring that technology into new companies, new industries and most importantly, new high-value jobs.”

Florida is no stranger to tech-transfer and commercialization. In fact, well-known brands like sports drink Gatorade and cancer-fighting drug Taxol were hatched right here. And Florida universities are beginning to gain significant ground on other, well-established institutions, both in terms of research grants and number of patents.

According to a new study by MIT, the University of Florida (ranked 20), University of Central Florida (38), University of South Florida (68), University of Miami (70) and Florida State University (82) are among the nation’s top 100 universities for patent and licensing activity.

Yet while universities are attracting research dollars and producing viable technologies for commercialization, the rate at which these activities are translating into new start-up companies – and new high-wage jobs – in Florida is still relatively slow.

“There is tremendous potential to transfer ongoing research into wealth-generating applications right in our backyard,” said Winfred Phillips, vice president of research and dean of the graduate school at the University of Florida in Gainesville. “We’re getting the funding on the front end and are investing time and talent into relevant industrial research, but our challenge is to generate much more interest and investment from within the private sector to take these products to market.”

Phillips will represent the university perspective, along with research leaders from the University of Central Florida, University of West Florida and Florida Atlantic University at the October 16 workshop. Several experts in seed capital and gazelles will also take an active role, including representatives from Inflexion Capital, CENETEC and MILCOM Technologies.

“For those of us in economic development,” said Kelley, “the potential windfall is obvious … homegrown start-ups that spur new technologies, attract similar companies to the state and create high-wage jobs. We must take advantage of the high-level R&D activity occurring in our state and translate that into next-generation start-ups. We may not create the next Microsoft … but then again, I’m not one for aiming low.”

The statewide workshop, “Growing Florida’s Innovation Economy,” is open to the public and is part of Florida’s Strategic Plan for Economic Development, a multi-year plan that, with input from business, economic development and government leaders, serves as a roadmap for economic development in the state. Enterprise Florida facilitates the development and updating of the plan each year.

The workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Orlando Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. Immediately following the workshop, Enterprise Florida will unveil a new $1 million Team Florida Marketing Campaign at a reception in the same location. For more information or to register for the $35 workshop, contact Susan Gallo at 407/316-4615 or log on to www.eflorida.com.

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