In 2015, California Nanosystems Institute (CNSI) of UC Santa Barbara created the technological incubator at Élings Hall to support startups from technologies developed on the campus. It was a large step to extend the impact of the harshly won reputation from the campus as a prominent research institution. Since then, 40 startups have emerged from the incubator, including both UCSB spin-outs and technological companies led by the community seeking to connect with the campus search infrastructure.
Now in his 10th anniversary, the incubator has become “an ecosystem of humming innovation,” said TAL MargalithExecutive director of scientific initiatives and innovation for CNSI. “We have gone from zero startups to 40 in 10 years. It is an exciting growth. “
Margalith knows the entrepreneurial landscape. He cut off his start-up teeth while working for UCSB-Spinoff Soraa in his early years, leading his LED chip development group.
“Indeed, what the CNSI incubator does is to remove the entire marketing process,” said Margalith. “Instead of having to collect a lot of money to obtain a large space and build an installation before developing the prototype or proving the market, you can start small and concentrate your funding for research and development in an environment already supplied with world class facilities. In this way, your government dollar or your seed investments can go further. We extend the track for companies in a way that allows you to develop a turn.”
Part of the UCSB wider network for innovation and entrepreneurship, which includes the technology and industrial alliances office, the technology management department, the eco-entrepreneurship program of the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, and the Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships, the technological incubator supports the mission of the CNSI to the scientific and technological industry By strengthening the connections between the academic community and industry technology.
A recent event to celebrate the start of the stage included a symposium featuring about a dozen founders and representatives of some of these 40 startups – both former and members of the current incubator. Local investors have talked about the growth of innovation in the Santa Barbara region, and the critical nature of resources such as the CNSI and the technological incubator.
“The event was important to create more visibility not only for this program, but for the UCSB innovation engine as a whole,” said Margalith. “It also presented the amount of component can stimulate the local economy in terms of workforce development and job creation.
“It is not only a question of launching technologies from the UCSB, but also of bringing the value back to the campus by making the students engage and engaged, and which our founders return and participate in the ecosystem to lead the next generation.”