Strategically Targeted Academic Research - STARs

 

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Strategically Targeted Academic Research teams (STARS), also known as Innovation Research Teams (IRTs), were initiated by the Washington State Legislature in 2007. House Bill 1091 directed the Washington Economic Development Commission
(WEDC), to work with multiple agencies, to establish  Innovation Partnership Zones (IPZs) across the state, and initiate  Innovation Research Teams, STARS.  At the core of the STARS program is innovation
- a new model for research, technology, and private business to interact.  STARS create an eco-system facilitating technology transfer from research institutions to the private sector, launching new products, validating new processes and creating new jobs for Washington state citizens.

 

The IPZ zones are comprised of research institutions, globally competitive firms in a research-based industry or industries, with accessible training capacity for upgrading the skills of the firms’ workers.

 

The WEDC, in conjunction with the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) and working with the Washington Education & Training Coordinating Board (WTB), plans to recruit 10 lead entrepreneurial researchers over the 10-year period, 2007-2017. The HECB administers the program supporting designated STAR teams. The Department of Commerce administers the Innovation Partnership Zones (IPZs). The WEDC provides the IRTs and IPZs with advice of on designation criteria and outcome metrics. 

 

Two Washington state IRT research teams were established in the first year after the legislation passed:

 

Michael Hochberg, Nanophotonics, University of Washington; and Brigitte Ahring, Biofuels, Washington State University in conjunction with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratories.

 

2008 also saw the origination of an Entrepreneur-in Residence (EIR) program. Designed to accelerate technology transfer from research to viable, new products, EIRs couple business entrepreneurs with researchers. Entrepreneurs and researchers work shoulder-to-shoulder, understanding each others needs and counseling one another.

 

In 2009, the Washington Economic Development Commission also established an Innovation Advisory Committee to guide both STARS & IPZs with strong private sector input, ensuring the money invested in these programs will generate the most return in the economy.  The Committee, required by legislation, is comprised of 27 members from the public, private, higher education,  and non-profit organizations.


 

 

News

 

Read the recently published:  Investing in Research & Innovation, The STARS Report, Program and Plan

 


STAR Researcher, Michael Hochberg receives Presidential  honor, July 2009

 

 


Busting the barriers between lab and marketplace, Puget Sound Business Journal, September 2009

 

University of Washington takes steps to jolt its tech licensing process to life, Puget Sound Business Journal, September 2009

WA STAR Researchers testify to WA State House of Representatives & Senate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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