ASU leads state in technology transfer

In the past year, 14 new companies were created based on research at Arizona’s three universities. Eleven of them came from Arizona State University.

The Phoenix Business Journal recently published its first-ever “Tech Transfer/FY 2013 Startups” list, providing details about each of the new ventures. In an accompanying article, journalist Hayley Ringle explores how ASU and the University of Arizona are working to bring more of their researchers’ discoveries into the marketplace and draw additional funding to the state.

“There’s quite a shortage of early-stage capital (in Arizona) to launch and promote new startups,” said Charlie Lewis, vice president of venture development for Arizona Technology Enterprises (AzTE). AzTE manages ASU’s intellectual property and technology transfer activities.

In spite of that challenge, ASU has followed a steady upward trajectory in terms of tech transfer and startups. For example, ASU innovators received 47 patents in 2013, up from 26 the year before, according to AzTE’s CEO Augie Cheng. In 2012, ASU ranked No. 2 in the country in terms of the number of startups created for every $10 million in research expenditures.