TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR IMPACT VENTURES
The IMPACTT program investigates the roles of emerging technologies. All participants are encouraged to explore building a tech-enabled impact venture.
Beginning in Fall 2024, Indiana IMPACTT program participants will identify, research, and critically analyze technology inventions and patents available for license through universities and U.S. federal agencies.
Technology transfer will be investigated, including ways it can help impact ventures scale, enhance economic growth, and advance scientific research.
The IMPACTT program is a collaborative effort between Evansville’s Circular Venture Lab and the University of Evansville’s Center for Innovation & Change.
The nonprofit Circular Venture Lab has launched multiple for-profit ventures in advanced materials, solar panel repurposing and reuse, and CO2 capture and utilization.
Through UE and the Center’s award-winning ChangeLab program, students, staff, and faculty co-design quality of life and place initiatives. These include stormwater filtration parks, rooftop gardens, fitness trails, and other social ventures.
IMPACT VENTURE FOCUS
The IMPACTT program explores innovations in energy, buildings, healthcare, transportation, agriculture, and industry.
Students are encouraged to build tech-enabled impact ventures landing in one or more of these domains:
EXPLORING TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
IMPACTT emphasizes the integration of a patented technology into a new venture. Utilizing a technology component is a critical consideration for scaling an impact venture into a long-term, sustainable business.
Students will explore a wide variety of technologies available for license through universities and U.S. federal agencies. The process of technology transfer will be thoroughly investigated, including common obstacles and challenges.
DESCRIPTION AND OUTCOMES
The program encourages participants from all backgrounds and disciplines of study. They will explore and familiarize themselves with career pathways, venture-building services, and additional resources for further study.
Students will engage in a hands-on, applied learning experience where they investigate the potential roles of technology in their communities, their region, and across the nation.
Students will also explore common circular economy concepts - including remanufacturing, reuse, and recycling techniques used to transform material byproducts into higher-value resources.
At program completion, students will be able to:
Use a creative approach to problem solving for their impact venture and consider incorporating a technology component.
Advocate for the improvement of current products and services with technology innovations.
Explore research-informed and meaningful solutions to environmental and social challenges.
Demonstrate critical thinking through the active process of questioning, analyzing, and evaluating information.
Understand basic concepts associated with the process of technology transfer.
Connect and engage with individuals and businesses in their community using bottom-up research.
Develop and maintain respectful relationships with those individuals and groups.
Demonstrate capacity to navigate through multiple social and cultural systems.
Explore and participate effectively in relevant career-path and work experiences/settings.
Devise strategies to access regional business support and community resource systems.
EVANSVILLE PROMISE NEIGHBORHOOD
In March 2023, the University of Evansville announced the receipt of a $30 million grant to create the Evansville Promise Neighborhood.
In partnership with 23 organizations, this transformative award will assist students and families in areas of concentrated need.
The students enrolled in the Promise Neighborhood schools are our next generation community leaders, entrepreneurs, and future workforce. By Fall of 2024, we plan to offer a similar introductory workshop as an afterschool program to these students. We envision widespread adoption across the region by 2025.
