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University of Maryland and Bethesda Green Partner To Boost Entrepreneurs
Posted February 7, 2011
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Green entrepreneurs in Montgomery County will benefit from a suite of sophisticated business and research services through a new partnership between the University of Maryland and the Bethesda Green Business Incubator. Under the agreement - unveiled as part of the incubator's expansion - the two will share expertise to promote development of sustainable communities.
Incubator companies will be able to tap into the network of business and technical consulting services offered by the University of Maryland to create jobs and spur innovation statewide. Incubator clients may also have the opportunity to draw on the university's research expertise.
For its part, Bethesda Green will share its expertise and help identify its clients who might benefit from licensing university-developed technologies. It will also help place University of Maryland interns with incubator clients. "Our mission as the region's largest public research university reaches statewide, but we especially want to expand our commitment in Montgomery County, which is a major center of innovation," said University of Maryland President Wallace Loh. "We have much we can share with the innovators and entrepreneurs in Bethesda Green's incubator, and we see this as part of our mission to increase the state's sustainability and economic success."
The new partnership will build on existing relationships. Incubator client Savenia Labs, an enviroscience company, already works with the university's Clark School of Engineering and Smith School of Business, and uses student interns.
Bethesda Green describes itself as a "local model for sustainable living." It launched its Business Incubator in October 2009 to enhance the success of entrepreneurial companies that offer products and services building a healthy economy and sustainable community. Companies in the incubator share affordable office space and networking opportunities.
"Our new partnership with the University of Maryland will provide added resources to support the growth and success of our companies," said Bethesda Green Incubator Manager Robert Snyder. "With the increased support of our partners, we can expand our service offerings, and continue fueling the growth of the green economy throughout the region."
"This new partnership is a natural and mutually beneficial," added Brian Darmody, University of Maryland associate vice president of research and economic development. "President Obama's State of the Union Address and Governor O'Malley's State of the State both emphasized the role of green energy and entrepreneurship in building our economy. Deploying these resources at the local level with an engaged incubator, coupled with resources from a major research university, makes a stronger green economy possible."
UMD SERVICES
University of Maryland services and programs dedicated to energy research, launching entrepreneurs, and moving promising technology from lab to market, include:
• Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute: Mtech offers a series of programs to create successful technology ventures, connect companies with university research expertise, and educate the next generation of technology entrepreneurs. (Based in the Clark School of Engineering)
• Maryland Industrial Partnerships: Accelerates the commercialization of technology in Maryland by jointly funding collaborative R&D projects between companies and University System of Maryland faculty. (Mtech program)
• Office of Technology Transfer: Provides expert guidance, support, and assistance to safeguard intellectual property, enocourage research, facilitate technological transfer, and promote collaborative research and development agreements with industrial sponsors.
• Maryland Small Business Development Center: Run jointly by the University of Maryland and the U.S. Small Business Administration, this statewide network offers entrepreneurs comprehensive resources and relevant assistance.
• University of Maryland Energy Research Center: Brings together the research capabilities needed to create a sustainable energy future, with faculty expertise in energy technology and policy.
• Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship: Top-tier entrepreneurial institute for enterprise creation; the "Dingman Process" offers a systematic framework for developing an idea into an actionable business. Also, it coordinates with leading area attorneys to provide entrepreneurs in the University of Maryland community individualized legal assessments and education. (Based in the Smith School of Business)
BETHESDA GREEN INCUBATOR
Clients in the Bethesda Green Incubator include a variety of businesses and non-profits from diverse sectors addressing many issues, including energy efficiency, green transportation, planning, design, neighborhood revitalization, and recycling.
More Information from Bethesda Green: http://tinyurl.com/495dtgs.
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