After months of planning and bustling, behind-the-scenes activity, the University this week will officially open the doors to its new Business Engagement Center (BEC).
The center, on the 2nd Floor of the Galleria Building at 1214 S. University Ave., will provide one-stop shopping for businesses seeking student talent, university expertise, professional development for employees and research partnerships.
The BEC is jointly funded by the Office of the Vice President for Research and the Office of University Development. It’s a novel approach that’s likely to be emulated by other U.S. universities, says Daryl Weinert, the center’s interim executive director.
“At pretty much every university around the country, corporate relations is handled exclusively by the Office of Development,” Weinert says. “While corporate gifts enable many exciting things on campus, there is so much more we can do with industry.
“With Research and Development working jointly on the Business Engagement Center, we’ve created a new model that is unique in the country. We’ll be able to form win-win partnerships on many fronts that benefit both the companies and the University.”
The new center shares 17,000 square feet of space with the recently relocated Office of Technology Transfer. The two offices will work together to strengthen U-M ties to business and community partners, while helping to revitalize and diversify the state’s ailing economy.
“Our objective is to make our large and complicated university more user friendly in such a way that the U-M can have the maximum impact and influence in accelerating the economic transformation of our region into the knowledge economy,” says Vice President for Research Stephen Forrest.
The BEC and the Office of Technology Transfer will host an invitation-only open house on May 15.
“Moving to the Central Campus and being co-located with the Business Engagement Center makes us more effective and demonstrates that the U-M is serious about expanding business and entrepreneurial activities,” says Ken Nisbet, executive director of the Office of Technology Transfer. “This new location is a visible symbol of that commitment.”
Tech Transfer moved to the Galleria Building after 15 years in Wolverine Tower, 2.8 miles to the south.
The OTT transfers research discoveries to make existing businesses more competitive and to create new startups that stimulate economic growth. The BEC will be able to provide Tech Transfer with the names of potential licensees and business partners, Nisbet says.
“In return, our existing licensees and new startups can become future clients of the BEC,” he says. “So there’s a tremendous synergy between us.”
Weinert says he expects his staff to grow to seven by June 30. Most of the employees are relationship managers, the “matchmakers” who link private-sector partners with appropriate campus experts.
For more information about the BEC, call 647-1000, e-mail [email protected] or go to www.bec.umich.edu.
