TI to serve as first innovation-seeking participant
in TechQuest program
 |
The Metroplex Technology Business Council (MTBC), the largest technology
trade association in Texas, has launched a program called TechQuest,
which pairs up large local companies with inventors of technology they
might find helpful. The program's objective is to inspire and promote
technology entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialization in North
Texas.
In the first TechQuest matching opportunity, TI is
seeking innovative ideas and proposals from individuals,
universities, small and medium-sized technology companies
and other research-oriented entities in a variety of
application and technology areas.
"Through the MTBC and TechQuest, TI looks forward
to networking with other companies and entrepreneurs
to bring innovative solutions to market," said
Mark Denissen, TI vice president, Worldwide Strategic
Marketing. "By focusing on common areas of interest,
we seek to create new opportunities for growth. In
areas like medical electronics, clean energy and many
consumer product areas, TI is focused on developing
technologies that make the world smarter, healthier,
safer, greener and more fun."
The process
Ihe TechQuest program works directly with some of the largest companies in
North Texas, including both technology and non-technology companies, to identify
a technology-related challenge with which the innovation-seeking company
would like assistance.
Once an innovation seeker such as TI and its technology
areas of interest have been identified, the MTBC issues
a request for proposals from its 5,000 members, service
providers and other contacts to address the challenge.
After collecting proposals, the MTBC screens them,
presents viable solutions to the innovation-seeking
company and invites a group of selected technology
providers to make presentations to high-level executives
from the company.
After the presentations, the innovation seeker then
determines the next steps in working with the innovation
providers, and the MTBC tracks this joint progress
to measure successful outcomes. Successful matches
can result in research grants, equity funding, technology
licensing, customer/supplier relationships, strategic
partnerships and other business activity – all
of which help accelerate the pace of innovation in
Dallas/Fort Worth.
"The MTBC's ability to launch a program such
as TechQuest demonstrates the breadth and depth of
our membership as well as the vast technology expertise
found in North Texas," said MTBC President William
C. Sproull. "We look forward to bringing together
major companies who have a need with innovators who
offer state-of-the-art solutions. In doing so, we hope
to make our region's leading companies and emerging
innovation providers even more successful and globally
competitive."
TechQuest was developed by the MTBC's Innovation
Task Force. The MTBC expects to offer additional TechQuest
opportunities with other major Dallas/Fort Worth companies
at regular intervals. For more information about TechQuest, see www.metroplextbc.org. |
