Each year, the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation hosts retreats for faculty and graduate students interested in learning more about the commercialization of research.

During past Faculty Commercialization Retreats, hundreds of faculty and administrators from U of A, UALR, UAMS, UAPB, and ASU have participated in this relaxed conference that offers STEM and medical researchers the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of commercializing their research.

The 2024 Arkansas Commercialization Retreat will be held September 29-October 1 at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute.

Everything from filing patents, using the lean canvas, understanding intellectual property, starting a company, and applying for SBIR/STTR grants is covered by guest speakers and mentors, including peer faculty members, from universities and organizations around the state.

While this information about the commercialization process is immensely beneficial to those who are interested in taking their ideas beyond the labs and journals, past attendees have shared that the true value of the retreat is the opportunity for networking between researchers and improved ability to support entrepreneurial graduate students. Intent to commercialize is not a prerequisite.

Attendees enjoy making connections with other research-active faculty throughout the state, sometimes meeting faculty from their own campus for the first time. These interactions have fostered successful collaborations throughout the years.

The best part: it really is a lot of fun!

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