Instant Innovation Program connects businesses with university expertise

Western Michigan and five other state universities are collaborating on a new way to connect businesses and the technical expertise found on campus — the Instant Innovation Program.

It’s the latest offering of the Michigan Corporate Relations Network, an initiative to drive innovation and commercialization through the cooperation of six state universities.

In the Instant Innovation Program a Network representative identifies at least two technical experts from within the network.

Participants will work with carefully chosen experts from two different schools. They will be part of a brainstorming session intended to generate  new ideas and thinking, solve significant and persistent problems and potentially lead to new, commercial offerings and other revenue opportunities or cost reductions for the participating company.

Participation begins with development of a budget, including a company match to cover program costs.

By the end of the program, participants will have created a set of ideas for new research and development initiatives or potential business solutions that may be directly incorporated into existing operations or become the basis for follow-up research and development and strategic targeting of potential collaborative funding sources.

Applicants are encouraged to contact Lisa Garcia, director of WMU’s Business Connection office, to discuss a potential program prior to submitting a proposal application. Programs selected for implementation should have a broad impact within the company making the proposal and have the potential to create opportunities across a given industry.

“The Instant Innovation Program takes all of the guesswork out of the process and ensures that the best talent and resources are assigned from across the network to help develop solutions,” says Mike Finney, chief executive officer of Michigan Economic Development Corp.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Mark Schwerin, Western Michigan University