Innovation Ecosystem

Research-Technology Ecosystem

Innovation Ecosystem – Louisiana State University- College of Engineering

Strategic Plan

In 2009 the LSU College of Engineering had a panel of Deans from the Universities of Georgia Tech, University of Michigan, Princeton University, Purdue University, and MIT analyze the LSU College of Engineering. In that analysis, it was suggested that the College develop an ecosystem for innovation and technology transfer to lead to improvement and diversification of Louisiana’s Economy. Recognizing that engineering in Louisiana is critical to the current industrial base and key to enhancing and diversifying the economy, the College has designated two of its eight strategies embodied in its strategic plan to enhance and cultivate the strengths of the research of the College and provide opportunities for industrial economic development. Those strategies are as follows:

Strategy 2: “Conducting Research to Improve Quality of Life”

The concept behind Strategy 2 is that use-inspired research and the development of intellectual property not only improves the quality of life for people on a global scale, but can also make an impact on our state and university. Within the Flagship University for Louisiana, the LSU College of Engineering must become more entrepreneurial to develop solutions that lead to improved quality of life and economic development. Our geographic location provides a natural environment for research. The College intends to utilize existing expertise to address the following two strategic, broad, interdisciplinary thrust areas, which will have significant impact in the state and beyond:

• Energy and Sustainable Environment—Seek low-cost, clean, traditional and alternative energy sources for transportation and power generation including alternative fuels and their efficient combustion; employ new technology to enhance production and the efficient utilization of petroleum fuels; seek out materials and technology for compact and alternative power sources; and search for efficient power transmission and distribution. All of these efforts will be pursued with a focus on maintaining a clean and sustainable environment.

• Engineered and Natural Infrastructure—Enhance coastal infrastructure to sustain environmental impacts; improve energy and industrial infrastructure; and develop coastal habitat and environmental infrastructure. Additional focus should center on the sustainability and interplay of the natural and built environment along with state-of-the-art monitoring systems. The college intends to utilize and enhance expertise in Materials and Nano-Micro-Wafer Scale Systems to provide an integral, inter-disciplinary research and infrastructure support for the above two thrust areas as well as promote development of individual and interdisciplinary research areas of emerging importance to the state and the nation. It will leverage high-performance computing resources for research in various fields and for extending technology in high-performance computing as well as develop a research infrastructure and create an ecosystem that not only attracts and retains top-notch research faculty and graduate students, but also facilitates the establishment of national engineering research centers as displayed in the graphic above.

Strategy 4: “Improving and Diversifying Louisiana’s Economy”

Strategy 4 couples Strategy 2 in understanding that creating a vibrant, innovative, research-based College filled with a talent-rich pool of LSU Engineers is key to generating creative ideas and becoming an attractive partner to companies across the globe. Innovation through academia and the business world will spawn a rich environment for companies and businesses to grow locally, paving the way for further diversification of our state’s economy. Strategic actions in this area are aimed to diversify Louisiana’s Economy and will be accomplished by promoting an ecosystem for innovation and technology transfer to develop and foster university/industry partnerships in targeted areas for job creation (displayed in the above graphic).  Actions include:

  • Establish an atmosphere for entrepreneurial activities that result in start-up enterprises with a focus in emerging technologies.
  • Positively impact the lives of Louisiana citizens, utilize the College’s expertise in water, energy, materials, transportation, construction, oil and gas, petrochemicals, hurricanes, the environment and more to better engage with local needs through industry, government and private groups.
  • Partner with the Louisiana’s economic development team and others to diversify the state’s economic base. Serving as a center of excellence, collaborating to bring in new companies to the State and providing technical expertise to make Louisiana companies more competitive.

Investing in the Future

The LSU College of Engineering acknowledges in order for economic development and innovation to occur there must be an investment in the novel ideas and alternate ways of developing engineered processes. The College had worked to develop an ecosystem to allow for economic development as broken down by the four below categories:

  • Seed funds- Similar to angel investments or venture capital, seed funds within the LSU College of Engineering include funds invested to assist faculty in further developing promising new ideas which have not yet reached a point of established research to gain traction with state and federal funded grants. This group of funding includes initial funds provided in new hire start up packages; non-restrictive donations of equipment and funds to advance targeted areas of expertise within the College of Engineering such as the Fund for Innovative Engineering Research (FIER) and Chevron support for unrestricted research to advance engineering. Lastly, this group of seed funding includes internal funding resources from the LSU Office of Research and Economic Development including:
    • Capital Equipment Match Program and Equipment Repair Fund
    • Faculty and Junior Faculty Travel Grant Program
    • Faculty Research Grant Program
    • Summer Stipend Program
  • Established Research- Once a researcher has developed enough analysis, testing, and credibility through early stages of research, they transition to the group of opportunities within the “Established Research” category. This category includes many of the traditional funding through State and Federal Grants (BOR- ITRS; BOR- RSC; NSF; DOE USDA; NIH, DOE, DOD, etc). An investment the College has made to provide additional funding opportunities for researchers at this stage is with the Office of Corporate Relations and Economic Development. This office works with companies and economic development organizations for industrial/private funding opportunities with matches in applicable research interest.
  • Patent- Tech Transfer- Commercialization – Either as a result of industry funded research or of established research that has a promising commercialization possibility, the College has partnered with the University to build an infrastructure to provide access to expertise in this process. Units providing assistance in this area include the Louisiana Business and Technology Center  (LBTC) and the Louisiana Emerging Technology Center (LETC) which provide assistance in business and technical questions such as access to funding sources and developing business plans, as well market analysis and legal resource for entrepreneurial activities. Additionally, the LSU Office of Intellectual Property processes patents as well as seeks potential to clients willing to license patents developed.
  • Start-ups- Following many great inventions, faculty members will seek to establish their own companies to market and further develop their inventions. Not only do these companies provide additional capital within the State, but also serve as a job creation mechanism. LBTC and LETC offer space to tenants. The LBTC offers small business incubation services, LTTO and SBIR/STTR assistance as well as a Phase Zero program. The SBIR and STTR opportunities provided by state and federal agencies allow for additional capital for small businesses. Additionally, small business owners have access to many available tax credits for small business, including those conducting research with a University.

Future for a Successful Ecosystem

With a clear research and technology established, the LSU College of Engineering is positioned for many future economic successes. Currently, there is strong investment on the last two categories of commercialization and start-ups. Unfortunately, if the College is to be a true impact on the State’s economy, it lacks the necessary investment levels to fund the innovations of the future. The College is prepared to work closely with the Private, State, and Federal organizations to assist in bridging the gap to promote a culture and society rich with innovation and known for commercialization.