Moving our great discoveries to the private sector.
Colorado's universities and research facilities are turning ideas into discoveries and making medical breakthroughs with significant worldwide impact. Several companies across a variety of industries have gotten their start as a result of tech transfer activities at area universities.
Colorado ranks No. 8 in the nation in science and engineering doctorate holders as a percent of the workforce, according to the National Science Foundation. This high amount leads to new discoveries and brings additional funding to the organization.
The University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) received over $280 million in sponsored research awards in 2008. The University of Colorado Denver (UC Denver) received research awards in excess of $371 million in 2008. Much of this funding was from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and UC Denver ranked among the top public health sciences centers in NIH funding. The University of Denver (DU) received nearly $18 million in 2008, the Colorado School of Mines received over $41.5 million in awards, and Colorado State University (CSU) received $226 million.
Research and tech transfer at Colorado universities and hospitals
- The Colorado School of Mines (CSM) in Golden, one the few universities in the world to offer education from baccalaureate through doctorate levels in all key fields related to energy, is regarded internationally for its research institutes. CSM's Office of Technology Transfer manages the patenting and licensing of intellectual property developed at CSM.
- Colorado State University in Fort Collins is at the forefront of research and technology transfer in agricultural sciences, biomedical sciences, engineering, the environment, information technology, nutrition, and human health. The Office of Technology Transfer facilitates transition of university research from the laboratory to the marketplace.
- National Jewish Health in Denver is the nation's top respiratory hospital (U.S. News and World Report). Its Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialization Program facilitates business partnerships for technology licensing and commercialization.
- The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the nation's primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency R&D. The NREL Technology Transfer Team works with private and public sector agencies to move NREL-developed technologies and expertise into commercially viable products and businesses.
- University of Colorado (CU-Boulder) has a myriad of institutes, centers, and laboratories in space sciences, bioscience, physical sciences/engineering, and natural sciences. Researchers at the University of Colorado Denver, Colorado's largest research and professional education university, are conducting ground-breaking research at its Anschutz Medical Campus. CU's Technology Transfer Office works to turn university research into patentable intellectual property and marketable business opportunities.
- The Eleanor Roosevelt Institute (ERI) at the University of Denver (DU) conducts basic biomedical research that may lead to new therapies for Down syndrome, ALS, cancer, autism, diabetes, and obesity. Researchers at ERI collaborate with DU scientists and students to strengthen the University’s expanding life science initiative.