Concept to Commercialization: Leveraging partnership models to build an innovation ecosystem
This masterclass examined practical strategies for moving ideas from concept to market through collaborative innovation frameworks. Led by Abhijit (Jit) Banerjee, Associate Vice President of Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at UConn, the session covered critical topics such as de-risking ideas, patent monetization, and negotiation techniques. It also showcased successful partnership models like the Future Climate Venture Studio and QuantumCT, illustrating how place-based innovation and public–private collaboration accelerate startup growth and strengthen ecosystems.
Synopsis: The talk will be split into three main points:
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- UConn strength, and its economic impact and why Connecticut
- Three essential elements for startups and founders
- Refining and de-risking an idea
- Patent strategy & monetization
- Art of negotiation
- Building place-based innovation and entrepreneurial program
- Future Climate Venture Studio – a model for accelerating startups
- QuantumCT – a model for public-private partnership
Speaker`s Bio: Abhijit (Jit) Banerjee is the associate vice president of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship at UConn. He has decades of experience in industry, management consulting and university leadership, and building research enterprise through catalyzing university-based research innovation with a goal of community impact. Banerjee has a wide range of experience in building new strategic initiatives, technology transfer, patent monetization, corporate strategic alliance, and management consulting in strategy and operations. He is passionate about empowering people and leading cultures of inclusivity to help grow and cultivate talent. Banerjee holds a Ph.D. in biological chemistry from the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology and an MBA from Suffolk University.