The University of Washington has been selected as part of a new federally designated Northwest Region Hub to support the commercialization and deployment of technologies in various fields. The hub is part of the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps) and will focus on areas such as medical tech, energy, clean tech, agricultural and food tech, and maritime and related technologies. The University of California, Berkeley will lead the hub, with other participating universities including the University of Alaska, Fairbanks; Oregon State University; and various University of California campuses.
The new regional hub, announced today, will receive up to $15 million over five years to support its initiatives. The University of Washington, through its CoMotion center, will administer the funding for the hub. CoMotion currently runs I-Corps, a program providing innovation training and customer discovery workshops. The hub’s activities will include weekly instruction, mentorship, customer discovery interviews, and opportunities for entrepreneurs to practice pitching to investors. François Baneyx, the UW’s vice provost for innovation, described the regional hub as a “game changer” that will help to build synergies between institutions with complementary strengths.
The National Science Foundation has announced the creation of two additional hubs in the Southeast and New England, bringing the total number of NSF I-Corps hubs to 13 covering 48 states. This network of hubs aims to support entrepreneurship and technology commercialization across the country. The hubs provide resources and support for researchers, startups, and entrepreneurs to bring their technologies to market and drive economic growth in their regions.
The selection of the University of Washington as part of the Northwest Region Hub reflects the university’s strong commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. CoMotion, the center supporting entrepreneurs and technology commercialization at UW, has been actively involved in running I-Corps programs and providing support for startups. The hub’s focus on key technology sectors such as medical tech, energy, and clean tech aligns with UW’s research strengths and areas of expertise.
Through the hub, participating universities will have access to funding, training, and resources to support technology commercialization efforts and entrepreneurship. The hub will provide a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange between institutions with complementary strengths. By leveraging the diversity of thought and expertise within the hub, the goal is to create companies that can make a positive impact on society and drive prosperity in the region.
Overall, the establishment of the new Northwest Region Hub by the National Science Foundation represents a significant opportunity for the University of Washington and other universities in the region to accelerate technology commercialization and entrepreneurship. The hub will provide much-needed support for researchers and startups looking to bring their technologies to market and drive innovation in key technology sectors. Through collaboration and access to resources, the hub aims to create a thriving ecosystem of innovation that will benefit both society and the economy in the Northwest region.
