News

Portland State University is leading the way in developing new technologies through regional partnerships. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $600,000 grant for the PSU-led proposal, "Oregon's Lab-to-Market Initiative."

The "Lab2Market" initiative will facilitate the commercialization of novel technologies and the creation of high-wage jobs by forging networks between private-sector business expertise and world-class research at Oregon's universities. Lab2Market researchers plan to launch a dozen new technologies through licensing agreements or start-up ventures during the three-year project. The program is supported by over 25 partners including business leaders across the region, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University, and the University of Oregon.

Lab2Market employs a two-pronged approach. The first is an educational component designed to teach university science and engineering researchers to begin to think more entrepreneurially. The second focuses on a venture-mentoring program, with mentor teams made up of Lab2Market partners and MBA students guiding 12 start-up companies.