MIPS program wins the national Best Practice award for technology transfer programs

The Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program won the national "Best Practice" award for technology transfer programs from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy this week.

The SBA selected MIPS from 44 applications and 19 finalists to receive the top award in one of four categories. Winners were recognized for spurring entrepreneurship and economic growth, and for demonstrating market-based results.

MIPS, a program of the A. James Clark School of Engineering's Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute, provides opportunities for faculty to work closely with Maryland companies to develop technology- based products. The objective of the program is to transfer university knowledge and expertise directly to Maryland companies, where it can be commercialized and benefit the Maryland economy.

"MIPS was recognized as a well-established program with a proven track record of commercializing technological innovations," said Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist for the SBA's Office of Advocacy. "MIPS has solid market-based outcomes that validate its success."

The Awards were presented on March 7 at the Putting It Together: The Role of Entrepreneurship in Economic Development conference held in Washington, D.C.

Published March 10, 2005