ASU's technology transfer company is banking on the idea that University students can help develop products for sale. The students' reward: credit hours.
"We're looking to commercialize the inventions that are born out of the University," said Charlie Lewis, director of the Technology Venture Clinic. The clinic will put students to work as they help develop technology to be marketed and sold.
"That necessitates the ability to do some creative technology venturing," Lewis added.
Lewis said Thursday that the clinic plans to find eight to 10 graduate students to assist in research and development of product. He said he would select students who have professional experience that would complement the clinic's work.
The clinic is the latest development of Arizona Technology Enterprises, a subsidiary of the ASU Foundation. Since its inception in July, the company has launched two spinout companies: One purifies water, and the other analyzes text for use toward applications like national security.
Lewis, who graduated from ASU with a computer information systems degree in 1984, will oversee the development of products through the clinic. As vice president of marketing for the technology company, he will play a crucial role in pushing products out the door.
One Valley company has shown interest in the development plans and will be providing the clinic with some start-up capital.
Scott Theobald, partner of Phoenix-based law firm Rogers & Theobald, said his company's vision is eye to eye with the program.
"Our firm is really dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and emerging companies in connecting with the needs that they have to: raise capital, protect their intellectual property and form strategic relationships that will help accelerate their growth," he said.
The clinic will have its staff of students assembled by next semester and plans to start work on Feb. 8.
"This is a very large untapped asset that exists in the student body," Lewis said, "and being able to leverage the intellectual capital over there will allow us to accelerate the successes of AZTE."
Reach the reporter at michael.miklofsky@asu.edu.
