It’s the second year for ASU Technopolis, and we have continued to expand, both in programs and staff.  The Launch Pad program just held it 21st graduate presentation, and there are six additional companies working their way through the Launch Pad curriculum this spring.

Our statistics really tell the tale of our success!  More than 200 entrepreneurs have participated in ASU Technopolis programs and coaching in the past year and a half of the program.  And, more than $5.1 million in funds have been submitted in SBIR/STTR proposals, or have been awarded in grants, contracts or funding to ASU Technopolis companies.

Karen Katzorke, program manager for ASU Technopolis, joined the staff last fall, and has been a tremendous, and much-needed addition, providing planning and execution for programming and events, and assistance to our entrepreneurs.

February 2005 brought a terrific collaboration with TGen on a first-ever event – the Commercializing Arizona Life Sciences Forum.  The two-day forum brought 115 attendees from all over the state to the ASU Research Park.  Researchers from the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration were on hand to address the crowd, and to participate in the SBIR Phase II Workshop on day two of the event.  Jennifer Szeto, CEO of Codon Solutions, a life sciences company, commented on the 2-day event, “We received excellent feedback on our SBIR proposal directly from NIH decision makers.  The knowledge we gained from the forum coupled, with the SBIR workshop material, has really helped us focus our funding strategy.”

In addition to the NIH and FDA experts, those participating also heard from Ivor Royston, venture capitalist, life science entrepreneur, and founder of Forward Ventures.  Ivor talked about how San Diego changed its economy from primarily a tourist and defense industry town prior to 1980, to its current position as a leader in technology and life sciences.   It certainly provides a success model for cities like Phoenix as we embark on our own transformation.

The forum attendees also heard from a distinguished panel on Post-SBIR Funding, including Jock Holliman from Valley Ventures, Bruce Morimoto from MDS Pharma Services, and Rick Gibson from Clear Blue Ventures.  All three panelists gave advice and counsel to the entrepreneurs in attendance on how to garner much-needed investment dollars.

The feedback from the attendees was overwhelmingly positive, and this first-time event was considered a great success!  A special thank you goes out to all our state-wide partners in this collaboration!  To view the presentations from the forum, please go to the ASU Technopolis website (www.asutechnopolis.org) and click on Resources, and then Entrepreneurship at ASU.

March 2005 will bring two new additions to ASU Technopolis – a Board of Advisors and the launch of the Mentoring Program.

The Mentoring Program, sponsored by Rogers & Theobald, is designed to provide ASU Technopolis companies and Launch Pad graduates with the counsel they need to build their ventures into successful enterprises.  Companies participating in the Mentoring Program will be selected, by application, to work with an appointed two or three person mentoring team for a six-month period.  Companies considered for selection will have graduated from the ASU Technopolis Launch Pad program, or will have otherwise demonstrated sufficient progress with their ventures to warrant acceptance into the Mentoring Program. Information can be found on the ASU Technopolis website under Programs.  Bob Rogers, founding partner of Rogers & Theobald, asserts that, “ASU Technopolis’ Mentoring Program is just what Arizona has needed to ensure the growth of our life science and technology industries.”

The new ASU Technopolis Board of Advisors will meet three times a year, and provide influential leadership and active support for the mission and programs of ASU Technopolis.  It will provide a sounding board for evaluating new programs and opportunities, and be an advocate of the organization in the public arena.  Their first meeting will be in March 2005, and we are looking forward to their input and strategic guidance.

I’d like to thank our ASU Technopolis sponsors – Agilent Technologies, ASU Research Park, Bryan Cave, City of Tempe, Jennings Strouss, Rogers & Theobald, Snell & Wilmer, for their support.  The ongoing success of ASU Technopolis depends on continuing involvement from new and existing partners, sponsors and volunteers.  To get connected, or to take an ASU Technopolis course, please visit the website or contact me at terree.wasley@asu.edu.  We look forward to your involvement!