The presentation by Alex McKeown, delivered at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and outlined in the provided document, emphasizes the significance of fostering innovation within the university setting. The primary objectives are to bring new products to market, enhance the university’s competitiveness for attracting and retaining students and faculty, diversify funding sources, and promote regional economic development. The university is focusing its innovation efforts on providing critical resources such as space (office and lab), funding (pre-seed grants and investment funds), and services (mentorship, corporate partnerships, entrepreneur training, and core facilities).
A major area of emphasis is supporting startups, which present unique challenges related to faculty involvement, conflict of interest policies, and financial sustainability. The university acknowledges the need for investor-friendly licensing terms and the resource-intensive nature of supporting entrepreneurship, including ongoing education for principal investigators (PIs) and entrepreneurs. To streamline these processes, JHU is working toward making commercialization activities transparent, accessible, and efficient through clear disclosure procedures, robust support for technology development and licensing, and a one-stop “concierge” service that connects internal and external stakeholders. The report underscores the university's commitment to building a collaborative and responsive environment that facilitates the translation of academic innovation into practical societal and economic benefits.
