Building Successful Industry Partnerships�

• Strategies for Effective Collaboration

Jason Stockman – Corporate Research Partnerships Manager

Funding Opportunities

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• Companies provide financial support for sponsored research projects

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• Reduces dependence on government grants

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Access to Industry Expertise & Real-World Application

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• Collaborations offer real-world insights

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• Aligns academic research with industry needs

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• Increases chances of practical implementation and commercialization

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Industry Partnerships: Benefits for University Researchers

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Interdisciplinary Collaboration

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• Industry projects often require expertise from multiple fields

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• Fosters cross-disciplinary research and innovation

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Opportunities for Student Involvement

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• Creates internships and training opportunities

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• Helps students develop industry-relevant skills

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• Provides additional pathways for students to be hired by a company

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Industry Partnerships: Benefits for University Researchers

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Bringing Expertise and Novel Ideas

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• Specialized Knowledge

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• Novel Insights

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• Cutting-Edge Research

• Innovative Solutions

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Partnership Opportunities - How to be a Valuable Partner!

Access to State-of-the-Art Resources

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• Advanced Equipment & Facilities

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• Enhanced Research

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Partnership Opportunities - How to be a Valuable Partner!

Fostering Long-Term Innovation

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• Long-Term Research

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• Speculative Ideas

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• Breakthrough Innovations

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Partnership Opportunities - How to be a Valuable Partner!

Leveraging Data and Analytical Tools

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• Access to Large Datasets

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• Sophisticated Analytical Tools

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• Collaboration Benefits

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Partnership Opportunities - How to be a Valuable Partner!

Partnership Opportunities - How to be a Valuable Partner!

Successful Academic-Industry Partnerships

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• Understand Industry Goals & Constraints: Align with industry objectives and limitations

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• Adaptability & Commercial Focus: Open to applying research in practical, market-driven contexts

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• Solution-Oriented Thinking: Engage in practical problem-solving

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UMN Innovation Blueprint

UMN Innovation Blueprint

Process Benefits:

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• Clearly defines the technical scope of potential projects and company goals

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• Identifies the right faculty based on expertise, interest, and bandwidth

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• Facilitates funding discussions, ensuring both parties feel confident moving forward

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Next Steps:

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• Share a list of UMN experts whose research aligns with the company’s interests

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• Set up an Innovation Exchange to connect the company’s technical team with faculty

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• Foster conversations to explore collaboration opportunities and set the stage for productive partnerships

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UMN Innovation Blueprint

Aligning Goals for a Successful Partnership:

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• Ensure alignment of goals from both the company’s and University’s perspectives

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• Establish meaningful and effective collaboration by aligning priorities early on

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Guiding Questions:

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• What do we want to achieve through this partnership?

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• What does success look like for both the company and University?

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• What specific benefits will each side gain from working together?

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