City, National Labs, Universities and Startup Organizations Partner for First of its Kind Program to Aid Entrepreneurs and Scientists in Albuquerque

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Tech Navigator ABQ

Oct 12, 2017, 03:00 ET

Albuquerque, NM (PRWEB) October 12, 2017 -- Technology-driven, business-minded, and growth-oriented – today the Tech Navigator Program, the first of its kind and a historic partnership between organizations, has launched in Albuquerque. This strategic guiding program has been created to assist entrepreneurs, and scientists in New Mexico in navigating the resources available, while aiding them in bringing their ideas into the marketplace.

Tech Navigator is comprised of collaborators passionate about advancing technology, and economic development in New Mexico, namely City Alive by way of the Living Cities, the City of Albuquerque, Air Force Research Laboratory - New Mexico (AFRL), University of New Mexico (UNM) Innovation Academy, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and many entrepreneurial organizations, including, InnovateABQ, The BioScience Center, FatPipe ABQ, the New Mexico Angels, New Mexico Startup Factory, ABQid, STC.UNM, and the Law Practice of Ayala PC. “The Tech Navigator Program brings to the table organizations from around the State capable of broadening technology commercialization and assisting entrepreneurs with technology ideas and products get to market and we are excited to be a part of it,” said Lisa J. Adkins, COO, The BioScience Center & FatPipe ABQ. Never before have these partners teamed up for a common objective.

This enterprising cooperative is focused on supporting entrepreneurs with technology-driven products and ideas, including scientists who would like to commercialize their laboratory innovations. “We have a wealth of entrepreneurial resources and scientific talent in New Mexico, but it can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start – that’s where we come in,” said Dorian Rader, Vice President of the New Mexico Angels, who will be acting as the program’s Navigator. "This is a game changer for technology commercialization in our City." Entrepreneurs and scientists alike can contact the program to find out exactly who has the resources to help them, while participating in collaborative programs with Tech Navigator partners.

"With premiere research institutions like Sandia National Labs, the University of New Mexico, Los Alamos National Labs and the Air Force Research Lab, technology transfer and the commercialization of research are key areas for Albuquerque's economy to grow,” said Mayor Richard Berry. “I am pleased that the City has provided funding for the first Tech Navigator to support entrepreneurs with everything from navigating venture capital and funding to business plans and market research. I am excited to see this one-of-a-kind program see success in Albuquerque." Another large supporter of the program is Sandia National Laboratories, who views their participation as complementary to their mission. “Sandia is excited about partnering with local organizations to support our entrepreneurs and identify pathways for them.” said Jackie Kerby Moore, Sandia’s manager of Technology and Economic Development.  “We anticipate this new program will help us deploy Sandia technologies in support of our mission.”

The Tech Navigator program will further encourage community development, technological advancement, and human ingenuity in New Mexico, via the Tech Navigator Challenge. This 8-week learning experience is facilitated by UNM’s Innovation Academy, and allows student teams the opportunity to compete in the creation of commercialization plans for existing technologies, provided by AFRL, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory and UNM via STC.UNM. Leading the effort is Robert G. DelCampo, Ph.D., Executive Director of UNM innovationAcademy, “We are incredibly excited to pair our students with world class technologies and organizations. UNM wants to be a model to others in opening up the world of technology transfer for students.”

Gabe Mounce, Deputy Director of AFRL-NM Tech Engagement Office, is enthusiastic about the approach, “The Tech Navigator Challenge allows us to gain fresh perspectives on uses of technology originally created for national defense purposes. Just as important, it provides an opportunity to encourage innovation in the local community to address hard problems both for the local economy and for the security of the nation as a whole,” he said.

Entrepreneurs and scientists ready to start out on their navigation voyage can reach the Tech Navigators, by emailing Dorian Rader at [email protected], while students interested in the Tech Navigator Challenge can sign up at http://bit.ly/2x1CrjM.

For More Information:

Dorian Rader, Tech Navigator ABQ, +1 (505) 750-7756, [email protected]