The University of Washington recently celebrated the opening of their new CoMotion headquarters, located in Condon Hall on their main campus as part of the Portage Bay Crossing redevelopment project. The space includes stunning views of Lake Union and downtown Seattle and is seen as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship by François Baneyx, the UW vice provost for innovation and director of CoMotion. The open house event also marked the beginning of the university’s Innovation Month, featuring 65 events across campus. The new office layout includes shared desks, event rooms, meeting spaces, and a kitchen, all designed to accommodate hybrid work schedules.
The new CoMotion offices feature elements of the Pacific Northwest, including Coast Salish artwork and live plants. One hallway showcases logos from the 285 companies that have spun out of the program, while a display case highlights some of the patents secured. Recent UW spinouts include companies like Zap Energy, Propio, and A-Alpha Bio. CoMotion is integral to the university’s technology transfer process, helping researchers launch startups and secure patents for their innovations. The CoMotion Labs incubators, focused on life sciences and hardware, are also open to entrepreneurs outside of the university, further promoting collaboration and innovation.
CoMotion’s staff previously worked in the Blume building but moved to Condon Hall earlier this year, joining other entrepreneurial programs like the Technology Incubator and Startup Hall. The UW’s Information School will also be relocating to Condon Hall. The new offices cost $3 million to renovate and include shared workspaces, event rooms, meeting spaces, and a kitchen. The space incorporates elements of the Pacific Northwest, with live plants, Coast Salish artwork, and nature-themed photo murals.
The CoMotion program at the University of Washington plays a crucial role in supporting startups and technology commercialization, with 285 companies having launched from the program. The organization helps researchers secure patents, launch startups, and collaborate with entrepreneurs both within and outside of the university. The new headquarters in Condon Hall showcases the program’s impact, with stunning views of Lake Union and downtown Seattle, as well as art and design elements representing the Pacific Northwest.
The CoMotion offices also feature displays of patents secured by the program and logos of the companies that have spun out of the program. Recent UW spinouts include companies such as AltPep, Membrion, and Aquagga, among others. CoMotion’s incubators, focused on life sciences and hardware, aim to support startups in a variety of industries, including sustainability, energy, health, and consumer technologies. The space’s design elements, such as live plants and nature-themed artwork, reflect the program’s emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, creating a dynamic environment for collaboration and creativity.
Overall, the new CoMotion headquarters at the University of Washington’s Condon Hall serves as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization. Through its support of startups, technology transfer process, and collaboration with entrepreneurs, the program plays a crucial role in promoting research and community engagement. The open house event and Innovation Month mark the beginning of a new chapter for CoMotion, showcasing the program’s impact and commitment to fostering creativity and innovation in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
