Marc Sedam - University Research in the Public Eye

What do you know about equity, diversity, and inclusion and Tech Transfer? Listen to Lisa and her guest, Marc Sedam, as they discuss this, the future of Tech Transfer, and the role public sector research plays in trying to find a vaccine for COVID-19. This plus much more on this episode of Tech Transfer IP.

Marc is the Associate Vice Provost for Innovation and New Ventures and Managing Director of UNH Innovation at the University of New Hampshire. Marc joined UNH in 2010 and has an extensive background in Intellectual Asset Management, licensing, and start-up formation. Besides his position with UNH, Marc founded the Peter T Paul Entrepreneurship Center and served as the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Innovation Research Center. Marc is the principal investigator of UNH’s National Science Foundation I-Corps Site.

Listen as Marc shares his journey through the Tech Transfer world and how he got the position at UNH. He speaks about UNH Innovation, what they do, and why UNH is in the top five percent of research institutions in the world. Marc also chats about the way his office is structured, how it differs from other Tech Transfer offices, and what I-Corps is and does.

Marc discusses the many new invention disclosures, patents, and licenses UNH gets each year. He describes the unique way UNH bundles their licenses and why they are one of the most prolific licensing organizations in the world. Marc also talks about the role UNH’s corporate partners play, what FLC is, and why AUTM applied for a federal grant. He gives us his insight into equity, diversity, and inclusion and the formal committee that AUTM formed around this issue.

Listen as Marc speaks about how much AUTM has evolved over the years and where he sees the future of UNH Innovations. He also believes that now, during this pause, is the time for university faculty to pull the trigger on new start-ups. Marc is fascinating to listen too, and his experience makes this a conversation you don’t want to miss.

In This Episode:

• [02:30] Marc, welcome to the show!
• [02:45] Marc shares a little of his Tech Transfer journey and why he took the position at UNH.
• [05:41] When he got into Tech Transfer, he didn’t even know what it was.
• [06:27] Marc speaks about UNH Innovation and what it is about.
• [11:02] March shares that UNH was flexible and allowed him to try new things.
• [12:08] UNH is in the top five percent of research institutions in the U.S.
• [13:35] Can you tell us how your office is structured?
• [16:22] Marc discusses I-Corps and what it does.
• [20:18] How many new invention disclosures does UNH get each year? Patents? 
• [22:18] Marc speaks about being the prolific licensing organization in the world.
• [25:47] They talk about the unique approach of the licensing bundle that UNH has.
• [28:10] What role do corporate partners play at UNH?
• [34:04] Marc describes what the FLC is and why AUTM applied for a federal grant.
• [39:37] How is the FLC working from a logistics perspective?
• [41:08] Marc speaks about the formal committee that AUTM created around equity, diversity, and inclusion. 
• [48:39] How has Tech Transfer evolved, and where do you think it is going?
• [52:18] Marc gives an example of where he thinks UNH is heading.
• [56:45] Marc shares why he believes now is a splendid time for university faculty to pull the trigger on start-ups.
• [1:00:50] Marc speaks about being able to collaborate with people all over the world and what he has seen and learned.
• [1:04:09] The role of public sector research of Universities is to respond to the needs of the community.
• [1:07:42] Marc shares the evolution and growth of AUTM over time and what it has meant to him.
• [1:12:29] Thank you so much, Marc, for being on the show!

Find Marc:

• Mark Sedam
• Email
• LinkedIn | Twitter