Innovator Network
About the Series
Where does the journey from basic research to entrepreneurship begin?
While there are multiple offices on campus that support UC Davis researchers who have decided to pursue that path, taking that first step often depends on serendipity.
The Innovator Network is a series of educational networking events designed to enable those serendipitous encounters to occur by bringing early-career researchers together with scientists who have successfully extended their expertise into entrepreneurship, policy advising and other activities.
Each quarter, we invite a panel of UC Davis faculty, research staff, postdocs and graduate students who have brought their research into industry, nonprofit organizations and policy think tanks to share what inspired them to venture into applied research and shed light on the most important factors to take that first step. The audience will have the opportunity to interact with the speakers and to discuss pathways to innovation.
The Innovator Network is co-sponsored by the UC Davis Library, Venture Catalyst and GradPathways.
Innovation Journeys
The Innovator Network series will explore multiple innovation journeys pursued by researchers at UC Davis and attempt to establish guideposts for those who would want to start on their own path. The initial events will focus on the Entrepreneur, but we want to grow our scope to include the Policy Advisor, the Open Source Project Lead and others. Do you have ideas? Let us know.
The Entrepreneur Journey
Our Partners
UC Davis Library
The UC Davis Library supports research, teaching and public service in all disciplines at UC Davis. We are a broadly collaborative and client-centered organization that values high quality scholarship, learning and service to our community. We provide a work environment of integrity, respect and transparency, and a team characterized by excellence, diversity, flexibility and risk-taking. We connect people, we provide access to resources and most importantly, we help you get started by working with you to bring clarity to your goals.
Venture Catalyst
Venture Catalyst, a department within the Office of Innovation and Economic Development, is committed to empowering UC Davis innovators to transform their groundbreaking research and ideas into successful commercial ventures. By fostering collaboration, delivering strategic guidance, and facilitating access to key networks, Venture Catalyst helps UC Davis researchers and innovators navigate the commercialization process, transforming their innovations into impactful solutions that drive economic growth and address global challenges, ultimately shaping a more sustainable and equitable future.
GradPathways Institute for Professional Development
GradPathways provides innovative programming based on eight core competencies. This comprehensive program is designed to help graduate students and postdoctoral scholars succeed in their chosen career paths and at UC Davis. The GradPathways Institute supports an enhanced professional development ecosystem at UC Davis by providing programming and by promoting and supporting the efforts of campus organizations that similarly serve the career and professional development needs of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
Mike and Renee Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The Mike and Renee Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship believes that UC Davis students, faculty and staff have a responsibility to change the world.
And that we have a responsibility—and the tools, knowledge and expertise—to help you do just that. We help researchers find a path to commercialization—and help students develop the entrepreneurial mindset needed to solve our world’s challenging social and economic problems. We believe entrepreneurship is not only about starting a company, making money—or a calling for a select few. Rather, entrepreneurship is:
- looking past the status quo.
- a mindset and skillset to be learned.
- putting knowledge into practice.
- learning the power of the network.
- solving important problems.
- making a positive and lasting change.
Technology Transfer Office
The Technology Transfer Office, a division of the UC Davis Office of Research, enables the transformation of technology to commercial applications through a wide range of services including educational and outreach programs (both within and outside the university), filing patents, managing certain copyrights, and establishing licensing and commercialization agreements. Technology Transfer is instrumental in fulfilling the university’s mission to provide public benefit through research and education.
DataLab: Data Science and Informatics
DataLab supports innovation and accelerates data-driven discovery for researchers and students across UC Davis. We collaborate and problem solve to develop and apply data science to tackle novel research questions. We support an interdisciplinary environment for learners at all levels to meet academic and industry needs for skilled graduates, and partner with external agencies and organizations to further opportunities for our students. We embrace transparent and responsible data science practices, and provide training in the use and development of open source software.