SSTI Digest

Gov. Rick Perry is asking the Texas Legislature to appropriate $300 million for a new program designed to foster emerging technologies, enhance university-industry collaboration, and promote technology commercialization. If approved, the multi-faceted effort would be the most aggressive tech-based economic development initiative in the state's history.

"Texas must now take the next step of investing more in emerging fields of technology in order to remain competitive in the evolving world economy," said Gov. Perry.

The proposed Texas Emerging Technology Fund, if funded, would focus on research and job creation in high-tech industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, biotechnology, nanotechnology, environmental sciences and advanced energy. Most of the funds would benefit Texas colleges and universities and would be divided into three components, which include:

Money is following the jobs and excitement that represents China's economy these days according to an annual survey of equity investments in China mainland businesses. Compiled by Chinese venture capital (VC) research and consulting firm Zero2IPO, the fourth annual survey found 60 firms made 253 investments totalling $1.269 billion (US) in China mainland or mainland-related enterprises in 2004.

The rapid growth in the world's fascination with all things Chinese also is evident by the number of deals increasing more than 43 percent over last year. The survey results mark the first time the total has surpassed $1 billion, with total funds increasing by 28 percent over the prior year.

Four consecutive years of attempting to eliminate or minimize NASA's technology transfer activities are beginning to take a toll on the space agency's effectiveness at commercializing federally-supported technology, based on analysis from the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA).

Technology Transfer: Bringing Innovation to NASA and the Nation concludes organizational changes, budget difficulties, and a significant increase in privately funded research and development (R&D) nationally are hindrances for NASA in its technology transfer efforts. Technology transfer should be a core element of NASA's mission, but an overall lack of program focus requires the agency to rethink how it administers the function, a panel of experts states in the NAPA report.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has updated its online center of state science and engineering (S&E) profiles to include data from 2001-2003. The site provides convenient access to a PDF or downloadable Microsoft Excel Worksheet of 31 indicators for each state. A spreadsheet with summary statistics for the entire U.S. also is available.

The profiles present dollar amounts and rankings for federal R&D obligations for 2002 by agency and performer for each state. Information included in each profile is compiled from several federal agencies, including NSF, the Small Business Administration, and the departments of Commerce, Education and Labor.

State S&E Profiles 2001-2003 is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/nsf05301/start.htm

This past fall, Vermont released what may be the nation's first statewide effort to lay out an economic development strategy based on the creative economy theories advanced most prominently by George Mason professor Richard Florida. Advancing Vermont's Creative Economy, prepared by the Vermont Council on Culture and Innovation (VCCI), offers recommendations that include collaboration among government entities, cultural organizations, and the private sector that utilizes cultural resources.

Developers, venture capitalists, policymakers, and educators recognize the tremendous growth potential in the emerging creative economy, according to VCCI, and Vermont can capitalize on its strengths and systematic support in this sector. The report offers examples of social and economic benefits to investing in the arts and culture, and makes specific recommendations on how to grow the state's creative economy.

NBIA Releases Revised Business Incubation Guide The National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) last week released an updated version of its business incubation manual. The revised second edition of A Comprehensive Guide to Business Incubation includes 71 chapters geared toward helping small businesses grow and offers the advice of more than 200 incubation professionals. The guide is divided into four main sections: fundamentals of incubator development, best practices in incubator management, working with clients, and special topics in business incubation. To purchase a copy, visit the NBIA online bookstore at http://www.nbia.org/store.

Virginia Bauer, former New Jersey commerce secretary, was sworn in as CEO and secretary of the New Jersey Commerce & Economic Growth Commission.

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council announced Barry Broome will become the new president & CEO beginning in February.

Michael DeAloia has been named tech czar for the City of Cleveland.

Marlo Jenkins will be the new managing director of TechTown, Wayne State University's research and technology park.

Virginia Bauer, former New Jersey commerce secretary, was sworn in as CEO and secretary of the New Jersey Commerce & Economic Growth Commission.

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council announced Barry Broome will become the new president & CEO beginning in February.

Michael DeAloia has been named tech czar for the City of Cleveland.

Marlo Jenkins will be the new managing director of TechTown, Wayne State University's research and technology park.

The Board of Directors of BioCrossroads, Indiana's life sciences initiative, announced David Johnson would succeed Charles Schalliol as CEO.