UNMC researchers interested in learning about how new inventions transfer from the bench to the bedside will have the opportunity to do so on Thursday.
The Heartland Conference for Free Enterprise at the Cornhusker Convention Center in Lincoln, will focus on how to empower small business growth and success; technology transfer and intellectual property licensing; and new venture creation and expansion.
Leonard Agneta, J.D., director of UNMC’s Intellectual Property Office, encourages all researchers to attend this unique learning opportunity. “It’s important for our researchers to understand how the technology transfer process works,” Agneta said. “Especially since technology transfer is part of UNMC’s mission.”
He said one of the main purposes of the IPO office is to help UNMC researchers through the technology transfer process. “This conference will further help educate UNMC researchers in technology transfer and hopefully give them a better understanding of how our office can help them,” he said.
Researchers who receive federal grants are required to disclose their inventions to the IPO so that UNMC can meets its obligations to report the inventions to the respective agencies providing the funds.
Researchers who do not receive federal grants also benefit from getting involved with technology transfer through the IPO because proceeds generated from the licensing of a university patents are shared with the inventors and their departments.
UNMC’s Intellectual Property Office is in the Campus Training Center on 42nd Street between Emile and Leavenworth streets. Agneta hopes every UNMC researcher takes advantage of the IP office.
The Lincoln conference is comprised of three seminars, each focusing on a different aspect of the technology transfer process.
- The new curriculum addition for 2005 is the “Research to Reality” track is aimed at inventors, university department heads, professors and research teams who have an interest in technology transfer and IP licensing. Speakers will present the basics of protecting and licensing intellectual property, and the alternative of making IP the foundation for a new venture start-up.
- The “Good to Great” track is intended for small business owners who want to move their businesses to the next level and beyond. The curriculum will focus on creating more new customers, improving operating efficiency, leading the organization and maximizing human resources, and integrating e-commerce into the business plan.
- The “Plan to Profitability” track is structured for entrepreneurs who want to create or refine a new venture plan. Participants who have one will receive guidance on identifying and qualifying their product/service or business concept, validating prospects and market potential, putting together the organization and systems for success, pro forma financials and financing.
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the program starting at 8:30 a.m. Sponsors support speaker costs and a reduced student rate of $24. The rate for business participants is $49. Registrations can be made by calling 402-472-3353 or on the Web at www.cba.unl.edu/outreach/ent/.