Kimberly Gramm has been named the inaugural David and Marion Mussafer chief innovation and entrepreneurship officer at Tulane University.

Kimberly Gramm, associate vice-president for innovation and entrepreneurship at Texas Tech University, will join Tulane University in July to become its inaugural David and Marion Mussafer chief innovation and entrepreneurship officer.

Gramm will be responsible for leading the Tulane Innovation Institute, a new hub announced in mid-April that will aim to support spinouts and startups from faculty, researchers, staff, students and community.

Gramm, who was an associate vice-president at Florida Atlantic University from 2009 until 2016, has to date overseen initiatives that led to the creation of more than 279 companies that have attracted more than $470m in investment.

Among her creations were the FAU Tech Runway and Texas Tech University Accelerator, the Texas Tech Research Park and a $10m seed fund for agtech developers.

Gramm said: “I envision the Innovation Institute as Tulane’s champion for innovators and entrepreneurs. This resource will provide the needed entrepreneurship education, mentoring, prototype development, business modelling development, as well as support competitive grant and private funding opportunities and so much more.

“The Institute will be an integral part of the Greater New Orleans entrepreneurial ecosystem and I cannot wait to get started. In my mind, this is the perfect place at the perfect time to seize the moment and make a difference.”

– Image via LinkedIn

Thierry Heles

Thierry Heles is the editor of Global University Venturing, host of the Beyond the Breakthrough interview podcast and responsible for the monthly GUV Gazette (sign up here for free).