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December 10, 2015

Invention disclosures on the rise

Invention disclosure submissions — the first step in commercializing an innovation — continue to climb at Pitt.

Innovation Institute figures show Pitt innovators submitted 307 invention disclosures in fiscal year 2015, an increase of 12 percent over the prior fiscal year.

University innovations led to the launch of 11 startup companies in 2015. Additionally, 66 patents were awarded and 116 licenses and options were executed in FY15. Revenue from the University’s commercialization activities brought in $6.73 million in FY15.

Marc Malandro, founding director of the Innovation Institute, said, “As these numbers can attest, innovation and entrepreneurship at Pitt is gaining momentum. Behind the numbers is a growing innovation culture, both within the University and throughout the city, that is encouraging more people to get involved. We are getting tremendous interest in our programs that provide education, mentoring and networking for Pitt innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs.”

The Innovation Institute (www.innovation.pitt.edu) was formed in 2013 by merging the Office of Technology Management, the Office of Enterprise Development and the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence.

The Innovation Institute will recognize Pitt innovators at the Celebration of Innovation, set for April 25 at the University Club.

The event will feature presentation of an Innovator of the Year award, named in honor of Marlin H. Mickle, faculty member in engineering who died last April.  Mickle was among the University’s most prolific innovators.

In addition, a student innovator award will be introduced.

—Kimberly K. Barlow     

Filed under: Feature,Volume 48 Issue 8

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