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At ODU, We’re Open for BusinessPosted By HR Partnership on May 26, 2010
The ODU Business Gateway provides a single, consistent entry point to the intellectual capital, innovative technologies and world-class infrastructure of the University. Old Dominion University is proud to be one of the first institutions to take such a significant step forward to support Governor McDonnell’s initiative to position Virginia as a leader in productive and solution-oriented relationships between businesses and higher education. The activities of the Business Gateway will have a direct impact in creating jobs, encouraging capital investment, and supporting the business attraction activities of the governor. While the ODU Business Gateway represents an important economic development tool for Governor McDonnell, Secretary Cheng and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, it is equally vital to business creation, attraction, and retention efforts right here in Hampton Roads. The recently completed Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), led by Dana Dickens and the Hampton Roads Partnership, highlights the importance of University-Business collaborations. The CEDS also looks toward the regional universities to help create a culture of innovation through the establishment of Centers of Excellence, such as ODU’s efforts in modeling and simulation, bioelectrics, alternative energy, and sensors. We established the ODU Business Gateway to create, nourish, and extend that culture of innovation across our region. The Business Gateway was built on the foundation of our exceptionally successful Virginia Applied Technology and Professional Development Center (VATPDC). This Center has a long history of extending the talent and expertise of our Batten College of Engineering and Technology to help companies large and small. I want to thank College of Engineering and Technology Dean Oktay Baysal for his entrepreneurial spirit, energetic leadership and visionary outlook that has enabled centers like VMASC, the Reidy Center for Bioelectrics, and VATPDC – now the Business Gateway – to grow to such scope and scale that they’ve become university-wide platforms for research and economic development. Old Dominion University is dedicated to bringing together the top minds, most innovative technologies and state-of-the-art facilities to help solve problems, expand capabilities and create new ventures. We are committed to being the intersection where ideas meet and results happen. That is Idea Fusion. And the ODU Business Gateway is just the beginning. May 19, 2010 ODU Launches Business GatewayOld Dominion UniversityNoting the university's commitment to transform the way higher education interacts with businesses and become the "go to" place for solutions in the Commonwealth, Old Dominion University President John R. Broderick today officially launched the ODU Business Gateway, a business-friendly entry point to the intellectual capital, innovative technologies and world-class infrastructure of the university. "It is my goal to make Old Dominion an active leader in local and statewide economic development and establish it as the go-to solutions provider for Hampton Roads and beyond," Broderick said at the opening event, held at the Business Gateway's headquarters in Innovation Research Park @ ODU. Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng was also on hand to note the significance of the initiative and his hope that it will serve as a model for higher education in general. "The ODU Business Gateway is precisely the kind of initiative that Governor McDonnell's administration supports in helping to create economic development opportunities and propel Virginia forward," Cheng said. The mission of the ODU Business Gateway, unique in Virginia and one of only a handful in the country, is to provide companies large and small, not-for-profit organizations, military commands and entrepreneurs a dedicated resource to help solve business problems, expand capabilities, and create new ventures. ODU's Business Gateway will offer services matched to market needs, including business and entrepreneurial consulting and services, advanced manufacturing and technology solutions, training and professional development, and veterans business outreach and procurement assistance. "Part of its uniqueness will be that companies can interact with one central office dedicated to assisting businesses in finding the right resources within the university," said Jerry Robertson, associate vice president and executive director of the ODU Business Gateway. "Currently, most universities have several points of entry for different aspects of a business problem or need." Another differentiating quality, he added, will be its unencumbered business consulting, where companies can retain their intellectual property when engaging the Business Gateway. "Many businesses are reluctant to utilize university resources and expertise because they are required to forgo the rights to their own IP at the start of the project. We want to turn that around so that more businesses will access Old Dominion's researchers, faculty and technology to find new solutions, expand opportunities, and create new ideas." The ODU Business Gateway is an expansion of the university's successful Virginia Applied Technology and Professional Development Center (VATPDC), which Robertson currently heads. Responsible for more than $100 million in local economic development impact, the VATPDC identified and focused university resources on engineering practice, management, and training. The ODU Business Gateway is located in Innovation Research Park @ ODU, 4211 Monarch Way. For more information call 757-683-5505 or visit www.ODUBusinessGateway.com. Support for the ODU Business Gateway"Old Dominion University is leading the way for Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth of Virginia. In today's highly competitive global economy, new tools are essential to promote the innovation and entrepreneurship critical to dynamic growth and job creation. The ODU Business Gateway will be a tipping point toward the successful implementation of Vision Hampton Roads, the region's comprehensive economic development strategy. I commend President Broderick for making world-class resources across the ODU campus available through the Business Gateway, resources that can tap the entire spectrum of innovation." E. Dana Dickens "With the opening of ODU's Business Gateway, Old Dominion University provides yet another resource for the Alliance to add to its business recruitment arsenal. The Gateway's full spectrum of consulting and research services - a welcome mat of sorts - for regional businesses, from start-ups to existing, will undoubtedly prove that collaboration of this magnitude is not only relevant in today's global economy, it is vital to our competitiveness as a region." Darryl W. Gosnell "We have worked with VATPDC for many years. The leadership and professional staff provide exemplary service to their clients. The ODU Business Gateway further extends this success. With this endeavor, President Broderick and CEO Jerry Robertson demonstrate their progressive commitment to innovative business solutions in a university setting." Jeff Kohler "KITCO Fiber Optics has partnered with Old Dominion University quite successfully on a number of projects including engineering assistance, ISO preparation and certification, SBIR guidance and Lean manufacturing processes among them. The staff at what is now the Business Gateway has always been professional, knowledgeable and, most importantly, responsive. We have found our affiliation with ODU to be an outstanding investment of our time and money. ODU and the Business Gateway understand the needs of business, which translates directly to success for us." Geoffry A. Clark |
