The University of Washington has been selected to be part of a new Northwest Region Hub that will support the commercialization and deployment of technologies in various fields such as medical tech, energy, clean tech, agricultural and food tech, and maritime and related technologies. This hub is part of the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps) and will provide up to $15 million in funding over five years to eight universities in the region. The University of California, Berkeley will lead the hub, with other participants including the University of Alaska, Fairbanks; Oregon State University; and various University of California campuses. CoMotion, the UW center supporting entrepreneurs and technology commercialization, currently runs I-Corps, a program that provides innovation training and customer discovery workshops.
CoMotion will administer the funding for the UW’s hub, which will support I-Corps programming including weekly instruction, mentorship, customer discovery interviews, and opportunities for practicing pitches for investors. François Baneyx, the UW’s vice provost for innovation, described the new regional hub as a “game changer” and highlighted the potential for building synergies between institutions with complementary strengths. The goal of the hub is to convert diversity of thought into companies that improve people’s lives and drive prosperity. The National Science Foundation has also announced the creation of two additional hubs in the Southeast and New England, bringing the total network of NSF I-Corps hubs to 13 covering 48 states.
The partnership between universities in the Northwest Region Hub will provide significant support for entrepreneurs and startups in the region, particularly in the areas of medical tech, energy, clean tech, agricultural and food tech, and maritime and related technologies. With up to $15 million in funding over five years, the hub will have the resources to offer valuable programming such as innovation training, mentorship, and opportunities to connect with investors. By bringing together diverse institutions with complementary strengths, the hub aims to foster collaboration and innovation that will benefit society and drive economic growth.
The selection of the University of Washington as part of the Northwest Region Hub is a testament to the institution’s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. Through programs such as CoMotion, the UW has been actively supporting technology commercialization and startup creation. The I-Corps program, run by CoMotion, has already been providing valuable innovation training and customer discovery workshops. With the additional funding from the hub, CoMotion will be able to expand its programming and provide even more opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop and commercialize their technologies.
François Baneyx, the UW’s vice provost for innovation, emphasized the potential for the hub to be a “game changer” in the region, highlighting the importance of building synergies between institutions and converting diversity of thought into successful companies. The goal of the hub is ultimately to improve people’s lives and drive prosperity through innovation and entrepreneurship. By connecting universities, entrepreneurs, and investors, the hub aims to create a thriving ecosystem that fosters the development of cutting-edge technologies and startups.
The creation of the Northwest Region Hub is part of a broader effort by the National Science Foundation to support innovation and entrepreneurship across the country. With the addition of hubs in the Southeast and New England, the NSF I-Corps program now spans 13 hubs covering 48 states. This network of hubs will provide valuable resources and support to entrepreneurs and startups nationwide, helping to drive economic growth and improve people’s lives through technological innovation. The selection of the University of Washington as part of the Northwest Region Hub underscores the institution’s leadership in the field of innovation and its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and startups in the region.
