ODU Launches Business Gateway
Noting the university's commitment to transform the way higher education interacts with businesses and become the "go to" place for solutions in the Commonwealth, Old Dominion University President John R. Broderick today officially launched the ODU Business Gateway, a business-friendly entry point to the intellectual capital, innovative technologies and world-class infrastructure of the university.
"It is my goal to make Old Dominion an active leader in local and statewide economic development and establish it as the go-to solutions provider for Hampton Roads and beyond," Broderick said at the opening event, held at the Business Gateway's headquarters in Innovation Research Park @ ODU.
Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng was also on hand to note the significance of the initiative and his hope that it will serve as a model for higher education in general. "The ODU Business Gateway is precisely the kind of initiative that Governor McDonnell's administration supports in helping to create economic development opportunities and propel Virginia forward," Cheng said.
The mission of the ODU Business Gateway, unique in Virginia and one of only a handful in the country, is to provide companies large and small, not-for-profit organizations, military commands and entrepreneurs a dedicated resource to help solve business problems, expand capabilities, and create new ventures.
ODU's Business Gateway will offer services matched to market needs, including business and entrepreneurial consulting and services, advanced manufacturing and technology solutions, training and professional development, and veterans business outreach and procurement assistance.
"Part of its uniqueness will be that companies can interact with one central office dedicated to assisting businesses in finding the right resources within the university," said Jerry Robertson, associate vice president and executive director of the ODU Business Gateway. "Currently, most universities have several points of entry for different aspects of a business problem or need."
Another differentiating quality, he added, will be its unencumbered business consulting, where companies can retain their intellectual property when engaging the Business Gateway. "Many businesses are reluctant to utilize university resources and expertise because they are required to forgo the rights to their own IP at the start of the project. We want to turn that around so that more businesses will access Old Dominion's researchers, faculty and technology to find new solutions, expand opportunities, and create new ideas."
The ODU Business Gateway is an expansion of the university's successful Virginia Applied Technology and Professional Development Center (VATPDC), which Robertson currently heads. Responsible for more than $100 million in local economic development impact, the VATPDC identified and focused university resources on engineering practice, management, and training.
The ODU Business Gateway is located in Innovation Research Park @ ODU, 4211 Monarch Way. For more information call 757-683-5505 or visit www.ODUBusinessGateway.com.
Support for the ODU Business Gateway
"Old Dominion University is leading the way for Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth of Virginia. In today's highly competitive global economy, new tools are essential to promote the innovation and entrepreneurship critical to dynamic growth and job creation. The ODU Business Gateway will be a tipping point toward the successful implementation of Vision Hampton Roads, the region's comprehensive economic development strategy. I commend President Broderick for making world-class resources across the ODU campus available through the Business Gateway, resources that can tap the entire spectrum of innovation."E. Dana Dickens
President & CEO
Hampton Roads Partnership
"With the opening of ODU's Business Gateway, Old Dominion University provides yet another resource for the Alliance to add to its business recruitment arsenal. The Gateway's full spectrum of consulting and research services - a welcome mat of sorts - for regional businesses, from start-ups to existing, will undoubtedly prove that collaboration of this magnitude is not only relevant in today's global economy, it is vital to our competitiveness as a region."
Darryl W. Gosnell
President & CEO
Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance
"We have worked with VATPDC for many years. The leadership and professional staff provide exemplary service to their clients. The ODU Business Gateway further extends this success. With this endeavor, President Broderick and CEO Jerry Robertson demonstrate their progressive commitment to innovative business solutions in a university setting."
Jeff Kohler
Executive Director
Virginia Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership
"KITCO Fiber Optics has partnered with Old Dominion University quite successfully on a number of projects including engineering assistance, ISO preparation and certification, SBIR guidance and Lean manufacturing processes among them. The staff at what is now the Business Gateway has always been professional, knowledgeable and, most importantly, responsive. We have found our affiliation with ODU to be an outstanding investment of our time and money. ODU and the Business Gateway understand the needs of business, which translates directly to success for us."
Geoffry A. Clark
President and CEO
KITCO Fiber Optics