CSU Ventures and partner organizations to help with agriculture technology transfer and commercialization

CSU Ventures, Rocky Mountain Innosphere, the Colorado Bioscience Association and members of Ag Innovators of Northern Colorado have joined the Agricultural Research Partner Network to strengthen and enhance technology transfer and commercialization efforts within the state’s agricultural sectors.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service established the network to match business needs with ARS innovations and research capabilities, to help companies and startups solve agricultural problems, develop products, and create new jobs.

The project supports ARS’s mission to conduct research that develops and transfers solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority and to provide access to information.

“The Colorado ARP network members and ARS provide assistance to companies or researchers working in ag innovation who want to collaborate with ARS scientists on projects that create new products and services” said Denichiro Otsuga, vice president for CSU Ventures, the technology transfer and commercialization agent for Colorado State University. “This agreement bridges the gap between ARS and industry by helping to identify Colorado companies and innovators that may benefit from ARS researchers’ expertise and technologies.”

The ARP Network is composed of organizations interested in agriculture-based economic development such as other federal agencies; urban, community and/or economic development groups; rural agribusiness; organizations that support farmers, agritourism and/or food processors, and capital programs for business attraction and acceleration.

Collaboration with the ARP Network offers many advantages, including priority consideration to a small companies applying for USDA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant.

The combination of ARS research expertise and complementary capabilities of network members helps to stimulate economic growth through technological advancements.

Some of ARP Network activities include:
• Delivering research results to stakeholders
• Matching industry needs with ARS patents and researchers for partnering
• Providing access to ARS research expertise, facilities and equipment
• Assisting in identifying funding sources
• Providing mentoring in business and manufacturing problem solving
• Furnishing marketing assessments and business plan development assistance
• Providing networking opportunities with other organizations

“Since CSU Ventures exists to serve Colorado State University’s entrepreneurial researchers and staff, our activity and mission aligns well with the ARP network mission,” said Otsuga. “CSU Ventures will primarily assist CSU startup companies and CSU researchers seeking access to ARS services. Companies or individuals not affiliated with CSU can engage with other network members such as CBSA and Innosphere.”
 

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