National Commercialization Hubs

Based on a body of research in the areas of communities of practice and networking across structural holes, USC and its partners are working to create and implement a National Network of Commercialization Hubs that will reflect concentrations of commercialization challenges, resources, and opportunities within the context of specific geographic regions, industries, and/or technologies.

Building on the N2TEC infrastructure and network of partners, three sub-networks have already been identified: economic development networks within geographic regions—in particular—rural areas; sub networks addressing the commercialization challenges within particular industries; and sub networks dedicated to advancing innovation and commercialization in a particular technological area. Within each of these sub networks, collaborations and partnerships of universities, industry, government, and independent inventors will be developed to link research, education, and commercialization practice and enable a critical level of innovation activity. Hubs in development include:

• North Central Rural Hub – Mel Ustad, U. So. Dakota

• Silicon Carbide Industry Hub – Ron Foster, U. Arkansas

• Maryland/Virginia Hub – Dave Barbe, U. Maryland

• CENTECOM – Tom O’Neal, U. Central Florida

• Midwest Hub – Cyrus Taylor – Case Western Reserve University

• NISTAC –Kent Glasscock, Kansas State U.