EAST LANSING, Mich. – Technology transfer office MSU Technologies and business/research partnership office MSU Business-CONNECT celebrated their opening in new quarters at the city’s SmartZone space adjacent to the East Lansing Technology Innovation Center March 31.
Both MSU Technologies, which promotes the transfer of MSU’s best research ideas into the marketplace, and Business-CONNECT, a new MSU office that helps businesses connect with MSU and its research enterprise in more efficient and productive ways, demonstrate MSU’s commitment to the economic future of Michigan.
“MSU Technologies brings our inventions to the marketplace, so it is only fitting to operate MSU Technologies in the marketplace,” MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon said when the move was announced in 2009. “This move will improve service to faculty and allow us to interact with companies and investors in a cutting-edge business environment.”
Simon joined other representatives from MSU and the city of East Lansing to formally open the offices.
“Business-CONNECT is a new ‘front door’ to the university for business partners who are looking for a first point of contact regardless of what they are looking for,” Executive Director Charles Hasemann said. “We are not just about contract negotiation and execution – we will also be proactive in seeking out new relationships that marry our research strengths with the research needs of businesses around the world.
“This mission is consistent with an emerging national trend for universities to play an active role in regional economic development,” Hasemann said. “Business-CONNECT is not a new economic development organization, but rather a portal for others in the region who do play that role to access the intellectual and technical capabilities of the university.”
MSU Technologies identifies and commercializes inventions created by MSU’s world-renowned researchers. The office works closely with MSU inventors and with businesses interested in licensing the inventions to create new products and services.
“Being across the street from campus in the East Lansing business district gives us the best of both worlds, as we will be easily accessible to both researchers and businesses,” said Mike Poterala, executive director of MSU Technologies. “We appreciate the tremendous support we have received from both the university and from the city of East Lansing, and look forward to working with our new neighbors in the Technology Innovation Center.”
This project is the result of a partnership between the city of East Lansing, MSU, the East Lansing Downtown Development Authority and MSU Technologies. Consistent with the goals of East Lansing’s Big Picture Comprehensive Plan, it promotes a diversified and growing tax base and development and growth of the knowledge-based regional economy.