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New concepts, new ideas, and leading research innovations are positioning
Washington state for a bright future. That’s what the new programs initiated by
the Washington state legislature are all about. Three different programs
designed to bring to the marketplace new innovative processes and products -
brightening the economic horizon for the state.
Strategically
Targeted Academic Researchers,
STARS,
began in 2007. Washington state provides support for recruitment of
entrepreneurial
researchers to Washington, bringing individuals with the knowledge, skills and
ability to generate research products and innovations with direct commercial
applications. The program fosters both product innovation and
longer‐term
statewide economic development. The strategic direction of the STARS program is
managed by the
Washington Economic
Development Commission (WEDC) which also oversees the performance
criteria of the program.
“The STARS program isn’t just a good investment; it’s the kind of investment
that will accelerate and escalate our economic recovery. We’re going to come out
of this recession stronger than went we went in, because we’re creating the
industries of the future,” said State Senator Jim Kastama, whose legislation
launched STARS. The STARS program is Washington State’s commitment to winning
the future in research, technology and innovation. “STARS can pioneer leading
edge innovation and lay the foundation for the nation’s future prosperity,
security, jobs and competitiveness,” said Roger Woodworth, chair of the
Washington Economic Development Commission (WEDC).
The WEDC, in conjunction with the
Washington Education &
Training Coordinating Board (WTB), is chartered to recruit 10 lead
entrepreneurial researchers over the 10-year period, 2007-2017. As of Winter,
2012 six STARS had been recruited:
| Washington State
University - STARS |
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Birgitte Ahring, WSU
Biofuels |
Chen-Ching Liu, WSU
Smart Grid |
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The
third economic driver is the
Entrepreneurs-in-Residence
or EIRs program. Entrepreneurs-in-Residence are seasoned entrepreneurs and
business executives working “shoulder-to-shoulder” with researchers whose work
may have commercial relevance. They collaborate with start-up teams on
identified business opportunities. These industry experts provide expertise,
guiding teams on the product development and market development efforts as they
explore
funding opportunities
and staffing needs. This collaboration, and coordinating of resources evolves
ideas from initial concept all the way through to first-stage start-up financing
and is a new direction for encouraging intellectual property to :spin-out” into
private sector businesses.
In 2011 the legislature expanded the EIR program adding regional
Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. The first regional EIR, working closely with the
Northwest Innovation Resource Center located in the Whatcom County area, will
work to identify and commercialize intellectual property at non-research
institutions.

Coming soon - the initiation of a
cluster
EIR located in Bothell. Focused on interactive media, this
Entrepreneur-in-Residence is the result of partnership work by the
enterpriseSeattle Interactive Media project, University of Washington Center for
Commercialization, University of Washington - Bothell and the Washington
Economic Development Commission.
Innovation
Partnership Zones,
also launched in 2007 by the Washington legislature, consist of fifteen
designated “hot spots” in the state. The IPZs develop new technology, new
partnerships between public, research institutions and the globally competitive
firms. The current IPZs, with diverse focuses, are administered by the
WA Department of Commerce.
IPZs win 1st place from Council of State Governments
Signup for
STARS
newsletter
Download STARS May,
2013 newsletter
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