15 Mar Madison Development Corp. and CATI form tech transfer partnership
MILWAUKEE- Technology transfer and commercialization efforts are on the rise in Wisconsin. Following last week’s announcement by the Medical College of Wisconsin to intensify its efforts at technology transfer, the Madison Development Corporation (MDC) and the Center for Advanced Technology & Innovation (CATI) have announced a new partnership designed to increase private industry technology transfer in the Madison area. We Energies is also helping to increase technology transfer in the state by sponsoring a free technology licensing seminar designed to inform companies about how to access and leverage the research and development capabilities of institutions and businesses around the state.
CATI has developed a technology transfer initiative designed to commercialize via donations from private industry, non-core or underutilized patents. The objective is to further fuel entrepreneurial and existing industry growth in Wisconsin, said Matthew Wagner, CATI’s director.
After donations have their values established and are received by CATI, the organization develops a full technology commercialization plan. Then the process of targeting existing companies for licensing opportunities begins. Additionally CATI has assisted with the creation of new businesses that have been formed to further develop and commercialize these donated technologies. CATI has acquired patented technologies from global companies including Kraft Foods, S.C. Johnson & Sons and International Specialty Products.
Frank Staniszewski, MDC President, said they formed a partnership with CATI to offer additional economic development tools in Dane County. “We felt this initiative would complement those technology transfer efforts occurring at the University through the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.”
“This relationship takes advantages of our respectable strengths, while not having to duplicate efforts. Why develop a whole new program in this area, bleeding valuable resources, when it already exists through CATI,” Staniszewski said.
Wagner said CATI has the technology transfer and commercialization resources, while MDC works closely with companies and entrepreneurs in Dane County that might be seeking to donate intellectual property or searching for technologies. “This partnership is a very cost-effective and more efficient way for us to market and expand our programs and services across Wisconsin.” Wagner said. “It’s truly a win-win.”
The partnership agreement allows for revenue sharing on any technology licensing resulting from the joint initiative.
CATI was developed in 2001 to promote economic growth through entrepreneurial development, technology transfer and project-based education. CATI manages a patent portfolio valued at nearly $40 million.
MDC is a non-profit development corporation that provides loans and other assistance to small business that will result in new jobs creation in Madison and Dane County. To date, MDC has made hundreds of loans to hard to finance small businesses, which has resulted in over 3,200 new jobs.
MDC is also the entry contact for Dane County businesses and local communities interested in the State of Wisconsin Technology Zone Tax Credits. “Our new CATI partnership, along with our loan programs and the Tech Zone tax credits, gives MDC a suite of complementary tools to provide assistance to technology and knowledge-based businesses,” Staniszewski added.