Like Oil and Water

“Commercial ready” and “university research” are not typically descriptions one finds together; they are often separate and difficult to combine, like oil and water.  One of the things that excites me most about URES (only a day away) is the collection of high quality university research projects we found that ARE commercial ready.  Sure, just like any early stage startup there are tons of unknowns ahead for this year’s twelve IT participants but there is also tons of upside.  The companies presenting are all applying a novel technology solution to a large commercial opportunity, paving the way for real value creation.  These are not science experiments looking for a home any longer. The wonderful thing about the IT track at URES in particular is that the category is broad enough that tons of exciting markets fall under the IT umbrella.  On Wednesday we’ll see everything from a new networking infrastructure that promises to improve our cell reception (Kudzu Wireless out of Georgia Tech), to an automated tool that dramatically decreases the amount of time it takes the FCC to approve new wireless devices (RF Test Labs out of NYU), to a new sensor that helps us stay in shape (eButton from University of Pittsburgh).  Not only do each of these, along with the other presenting nine companies, have technology grounded in years of academic research, they are on the cusp of bringing the technology to real-world markets. We’re incredibly excited about the line up this year and can’t wait to see everyone on Wednesday at a rare event where oil and water DO mix. See you tomorrow!