Mission

The von Liebig Center for Entrepreneurism and Technology Advancement is a unique program at Jacobs School of Engineering. Established in 2001, the von Liebig Center was created with the mission of bridging the gap between the university and the private sector by providing proof-of-concepts grants, mentorship and graduate level education on entrepreneur to the next generation of engineers and scientists that are interested in technology commercialization and in becoming more effective contributors to technology companies.

A core element of this program is the availability of seasoned business advisers to faculty and students interested in technology. The advisers assist with not only strategies on business development, competitive analysis and market research but also draw from their experience to facilitate professional interaction between companies and the university. The von Liebig Center has 10 technology and business advisers. Each has domain expertise in fields of health care, clean technology and software.

Sponsor-supported competitive challenges for researchers and students interested in commercialization of their ideas are a keystone of the Center's programming. These regional challenges invite faculty researchers and students to submit their inventions within an identified topic of interest where proof-of-concept funding and business mentoring could make a significant difference in shaping these technologies into viable products or companies. Recent challenges have focused on wireless health, clean technology, and affordable healthcare solutions drawing more than 161 applications submitted from 13 of the region's universities and research institutions. This process allows ideas to "bubble up" for industry and funders seeking new technologies.

The Center has evolved into a regional hub for industry partners, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and universities across Southern California to accelerate the translation of university discoveries into viable products or services. To date, the Entrepreneurism Center has granted $4.6 million to 82 technology teams, provided educational opportunities to more than 900 students, and contributed to the creation of 32 start-up companies which in turn have raised over $150 million in capital and created close to 200 jobs.

This von Liebig model of a university-based commercialization center has been the subject of much attention in higher education and venture capital and was recently profiled in a report by the Kauffman Foundation on accelerating the commercialization of university innovations.

History

Press Release: $10 Million Gift from the William J. von Liebig Foundation Funds Center for Entrepreneurism at UCSD's Jacobs School. »

The von Liebig Effect! (pdf)
An article on the formation and early successes of the Center, reprinted with permission from the September 2007 issue of les Nouvelles, Journal of the Licensing Executives Society International.