The Potential of Technology Transfer | David Allen | TEDxTucsonSalon

Universities need to view technology transfer as part of their mission, and provide funding to make global impact.

David Allen has been involved in technology commercialization related research, instruction and practice since the mid 80’s. Vice President at University of Arizona is his latest and likely last institutional gig. At Arizona he heads Tech Launch Arizona (TLA) the commercialization unit for the University. He molded a team that has cultivated original and cribbed from others leading university commercialization practice processes. TLA has hand built an innovation ecosystem that leverages partners across the UA and the extended Arizona business and UA alumni communities. His strategic planning approach which includes performance expectations is uncommon across universities.

Before coming to Arizona in 2012, Dave spent two decades leading technology commercialization programs at first Ohio University, then Ohio State University and then University of Colorado. He is known in the field as a “turn around guy”, transforming underperforming university technology transfer operations into key institutional assets. David N. Allen, Ph.D., began his leadership of Tech Launch Arizona in September 2012. He has over 30 years of experience in technology-related research, instruction and practice. Before coming to the University of Arizona, Dr. Allen served as the Associate Vice President (AVP) for Technology Transfer at the University of Colorado from February 2002 to August 2012. Prior to CU, he was an AVP at Ohio State (Columbus), Ohio University (Athens) and a professor at Penn State University (University Park).

He has brought an innovative and accelerated approach to the University of Arizona’s technology commercialization engine. Since his arrival, he has led the complete transformation of the UA’s former Office of Technology Transfer and the long-standing Office of University Research Parks into Tech Launch Arizona. He reports directly to UA President Robert C. Robbins.

[tomhockaday]

This is well worth listening to - the first half for a general introduction, and from minute 11 onwards for university leaders and policy makers.

[businesswealthstory]

I would like to here we are at right now with technology transfer and if this process has evolved.