NASA-UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON TECHNOLOGY INCUBATOR TAKE TEXAS BUSINESS TO NEW HEIGHTS



June 8, 1998



Audrey Schwartz Rivers
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111



Sheldon Smart
University of Houston
713-743-8186

<h4>Release: J98-18</h4> <h3>NASA-University of Houston Technology 
Incubator Take Texas Business to New Heights</h3> 

Combine advanced technologies developed for human spaceflight at 
NASA's Johnson Space Center with the University of Houston's science 
and business acumen, and Texas gains an innovative resource to take 
its high-technology sector to new heights.



The UH-NASA Technology Commercialization Incubator is designed to help 
local small and mid-sized businesses commercialize space technology. 
NASA plans to contribute $1.2 million over three years to the 
project. The University of Houston provides the commercialization and 
research expertise of its science, business and engineering 
faculties. In addition, UH houses the incubator facilities.



"This is a major step in forming a relationship among the university, 
government and industry and carries out an important part of UH's 
mission. We will have a significant impact in Houston," said Arthur 
Vailas, UH vice president for research and vice provost for graduate 
studies.



NASA has developed tens-of-thousands of cutting edge technologies in 
its quest to explore space, many with the potential to be applied to 
Earth-based problems. Unfortunately, the private sector often does 
not know about them or lacks the know-how to modify space technology 
for terrestrial applications.



"The business technology incubator is an important tool NASA can use 
to promote commercially viable uses of publicly developed 
technology," said Hank Davis, director of JSC's Technology Transfer 
and Commercialization Office. "NASA-patented technology can be 
licensed by entrepreneurs who, with the help of the business 
incubator, can bring to market new commercial products.



"The University of Houston provides a vital element by analyzing the 
commercial market, helping develop business plans and locating 
venture capital, without which many start-up companies could not 
succeed," Davis said.



The university brings two distinct strengths vital to promoting small 
business use of NASA advanced technologies: top scientists to develop 
technologies for private sector use and a renown business faculty to 
help target commercialization opportunities.



UH researchers along with NASA and private sector experts will first 
review NASA technologies to identify those that match faculty 
expertise and have market potential. Then UH faculty will submit 
proposals to develop and refine the technologies for commercial use. 
As UH faculty members develop a space technology, the search begins 
for businesses that may be interested in partnering with UH to 
commercialize the technology. Because building the business around a 
technology often becomes the most difficult part of 
commercialization, the UH College of Business Administration's Small 
Business Development Center (SBDC) and Center for Entrepreneurship 
and Innovation helps the company form a business plan and assists 
with marketing and financing required for implementation.



A recent study by the National Business Incubation Association 
estimated that every dollar invested in an incubator returns nearly 
five dollars to the local economy, particularly in diversifying the 
industrial base.

	
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