USTAR Quickly Becoming Innovation Model for the Nation

Idaho, Nevada patterning programs on Utah initiative amid national attention

Even as it continues to achieve significant milestones at home, USTAR http://www.innovationutah.com is becoming nationally recognized and finding that other states are using it as a model for their own programs to increase research and commercialization.

The Utah Science and Technology Research initiative, created by the Utah Legislature in 2006, was prominently featured in the May 1 edition of "The Chronicle of Higher Education." The publication noted that USTAR is gaining the interest of other states, and even countries, "because of its long-term horizon, its board-directed strategic focus, and its relatively small price tag."

Indeed, neighboring states are using USTAR as a model for their own programs, while the initiative has helped push Utah to No. 5 in a recent Milken Institute’s evaluation of states’ ability to turn technology-based research and development into economic benefit.

Coverage of the Milken survey in the April edition of "Physics Today" rightly noted that since its creation, USTAR has "spawned 20 startup companies and 2,300 new jobs, thanks to the hiring of 40 out-of-state academic researchers who have brought in more than $66 million in research grants."

"USTAR’s success so far can be attributed to a number of factors, key among them the quality of researchers that we have been able to attract to Utah and the continued support of policy makers such as the Utah Legislature and Governor," said Ted McAleer, USTAR executive director, who recently completed a visit to Nevada to outline Utah’s efforts for officials in the Silver State.

Nevada lawmakers are currently considering a bill that would mimic USTAR’s unique partnership model that has brought together state government, colleges and universities and the business community to create economic development opportunities and high-paying jobs throughout Utah.

And earlier this month, Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter lauded a new Idaho initiative called "IGem," which is patterned after the Utah model. In an opinion piece released by his office, Governor Otter said IGem is patterned after USTAR’s "goal of attracting world-class researchers to Utah universities in order to generate bigger and better ideas for commercialization."

Led by the Idaho Technology Council, IGem is an economic development initiative intended to increase the amount of research at universities in the state, turn that research into new business opportunities and help launch and grow new Idaho-based companies – all things that USTAR is doing, and doing well.

USTAR’s focus is on strengthening the state’s "knowledge economy," a key factor toward another positive ranking for the state from the Washington D.C.-based Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF). Utah ranked 12th in ITIF’s 2010 State New Economy Index, up one spot from the previous year.

In structuring USTAR, officials looked at states with similar programs, such as Arizona and Georgia, for benchmark data and are now pleased to be in a position to lend its experience and expertise to Nevada, Idaho and other states.

"In Utah, we are on the right path," McAleer said. "We understand the vital connection between research and development and the business sector and how state government can help accelerate those priorities toward long-term economic success.

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About USTAR

The Utah Science Technology and Research initiative (USTAR) is a long-term, state-funded investment to strengthen Utah’s "knowledge economy." This revolutionary initiative invests in world-class innovation teams and research facilities at the University of Utah and Utah State University to create novel technologies that are subsequently commercialized through new business ventures.

The Utah Legislature authorized the creation of USTAR in March 2006. To date, the initiative has secured $66 million in grant funding and is expected to generate approximately 2,500 jobs throughout the state.

For more information, visit http://www.innovationutah.com.

Michael O’Malley

Marketing and Communications Director

USTAR

324 S. State St. #221

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Direct: 801-538-8879

Mobile: 801-652-5578

Email: [email protected]

Web: http://www.innovationutah.com

Follow: http://twitter.com/Innovationutah

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