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Week of December 10 - 16, 2007 |
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The Latest Technology Licensing Numbers The newest edition of the Association of University Technology Managers Technology Licensing Survey was released last week. This widely read series of reports tracks how universities are performing in terms of technology commercialization and licensing. The latest figures indicate that public and private sources spent more than $45 billion for R&D on university campuses in FY2006. What has this money purchased? For one thing, it has helped build up university technology transfer offices, which now employ a record 1,800 people. But, these funds have also produced some concrete results in the form of new patents (3,255), new patent applications (15,908), new products introduced to the marketplace (697), and new start-up companies (553). And, since 1980, university licensing programs have supported 5,724 spinout companies. If one examines activity by individual universities, the top performers in terms of licensing income include Duke, New York University, Stanford, the University of California system, the University of Wisconsin and Wake Forest University. Schools that performed well in terms of creating new spinout companies include MIT, Purdue, the University of California system, and the University of Utah. Download “US Licensing Activity Survey FY2006” from the Association of University Technology Managers. |
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The State of the Renewable Economy Renewable energy and energy efficient technology are becoming a big business. Together, they now account for 450,000 direct and indirect jobs, and generate annual revenues of nearly $40 billion (in 2006). These figures are based on a new assessment from the American Solar Energy Society, which tracks the economic impact of energy industries such as solar, biomass, hydroelectric, and wind power. These sectors still account for a small portion (6%) of total US energy output, but their impact is expected to grow. The report lays out several scenarios for future industry growth. Without any changes in the current policy and regulatory environment, industry advocates project very limited growth in renewable energy usage and the deployment of energy efficient technologies. However, with modest policy changes such as expanded tax incentives for renewables, the industry could account for as much as fifteen percent of US energy generation in 2030. A more aggressive scenario has the industry accounting for 30% of electricity generation by that time. To access the 2007 American Solar Energy Society study, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Economic Drivers for the 21st Century, by Roger Bezdek. |
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A new World Bank study examines the state of
innovation in East Asia with a focus on three primary sources of
knowledge flow into the region: international trade, acquisition of
disembodied knowledge, and foreign direct investment. East Asian
economies still rely heavily on knowledge flows from Japan and the US,
but the region’s economies are beginning to build their own home-based
knowledge industries as well. Patenting activity is growing in the
region, especially in Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Not
surprisingly, electronics, computers, and communications are areas of
particular strength. Other nations, such as Thailand, Indonesia, and
Malaysia, continue to lag behind these regional leaders. When seeking to
explain these patterns, the authors point to several factors. Regional
innovation leaders tend to have more open local economies, better local
education systems, and more effective government supports for innovation
policy. |
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A new Information Technology and Innovation Policy Foundation report contends that future European prosperity depends upon Europe’s ability to more effectively deploy information and communications technologies (ICT). The study notes that European productivity growth rates have lagged in recent years, and it identifies lagging use of ICT (especially in service sectors) as one culprit in the process. Like the US, Europe needs to boost productivity rates. But the pressures in Europe are even stronger, due to a more rapidly aging population. How can Europe reverse these trends? The report’s author, Rob Atkinson, recommends greater overall private investment in ICT, the creation of public incentives to support such investment, and expanded efforts to promote digital literacy and adoption among the general population of European countries. Download the November 2007 Information Technology and Innovation Policy Foundation report, “Boosting European Prosperity through the Widespread Use of ICT,” by Robert D. Atkinson. |
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Top 100 Small Business Contractors The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has released a listing of the top 100 small business government contractors. The SBA release is part of a broader effort to respond to criticisms that the US government is failing to meet long-standing requirements to set aside more business for smaller firms. SBA has been making some progress on this front. It has scrubbed its database of contractors and found $4.6 billion worth of contracts that were erroneously listed as small business set-asides. It is now pressing government agencies to open up equivalent business opportunities for smaller firms. This year’s list of top contractors is topped by New Jersey-based Procurenet, an online procurement firm which was recently purchased by SAIC who were likely attracted by the firm’s $364 million worth of government contracts. Overall, the top 100 small business contractors received $12 billion in contracts in FY2006, accounting 5.5% of total Federal government contracts. Download a press release from the US Small Business Administration that lists the “Top 100 Small Business Government Contractors.” |
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The National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship is an initiative of the Public Forum Institute made possible by a grant from the Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City. Through NDE-news, we bring you short summaries and analyses of various trends driving entrepreneurship around the world. Subscribe now to receive your weekly copy. Archived issues are available online. |
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National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship
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stories © 2007 The Public Forum Institute
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