Idea Center signs up Saint Mary’s College

Idea Center, the commercialisation hub of University of Notre Dame, has entered an outsourcing agreement with nearby Saint Mary’s College to mature the latter’s research projects.
Faculty from Saint Mary’s will be able to tap Idea Center’s resources under the agreement as they aim to devise viable business models to bring inventions to market.
Idea Center will recruit 10 analysts and startup coaches from Saint Mary’s student register and says they will be involved throughout the commercialisation of Saint Mary’s technologies.
The deal is intended to help Saint Mary’s elevate its innovation output in line with the strategy of its president, Katie Conboy, a former provost and senior vice-president at Simmons University who took the job in 2020.
Saint Mary’s said its existing entrepreneurial activity included a number of startups, which it did not identify, in addition to work to inspire talent through Spark Business Accelerator for Women.
Conboy said: “This collaboration nurtures a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
“We are encouraging faculty, staff and students to learn about the resources and startup ideation ongoing at the Idea Center. This partnership really complements our existing efforts and is a great enhancement of resources.
“Students working at the Idea Center will develop highly-sought-after skill sets that are very attractive to companies, and their involvement will really pay off.”