Bringing new ideas to market

Trine University will soon break ground for the Jim and Joan Bock Center for Biomed and Innovation on the main campus in Angola.

 

Trine launches Innovation One

 

Trine University is excited to unveil Innovation One, a venture that brings ideas to market by providing expertise and services in a number of areas.

Trine University is investing more than $8 million in Innovation One to support new and existing business across the region along with entrepreneurs looking to bring new ideas to market. Construction of a new laboratory, the Jim and Joan Bock Center for Biomed and Innovation, will begin in September and will serve as another resource to support the program.

“When someone has an idea – anyone – we want to help them. Their idea could be the beginning of a successful business that creates new jobs. When they have a problem or special needs, we want to assist them in resolving those issues,” said senior vice president Michael Bock.

“Trine has been an incredible partner in recognizing the need for growth in Northeast Indiana,” said John Sampson, president and chief executive officer of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership. “We are thrilled to see their latest endeavor to support entrepreneurship; it aligns perfectly with the efforts of Vision 2020 and the Regional Opportunities Council to cultivate entrepreneurship and build a globally competitive economy.”

Tom DeAgostino, an engineer with a reputation for exceeding expectations and taking on new challenges, is leading Innovation One as the director of the Technology Commercialization Lab.

“He is experienced, insightful, professional and approachable. People appreciate his enthusiasm and ability to get things done,” Bock said.

DeAgostino earned a Master of Science in engineering science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and gained extensive prototyping, product design and development experience during the course of 25 years at Ford Motor Co. and General Motors. He joined Trine’s Allen School of Engineering & Technology’s Design Engineering Technology Department in fall 2009.

DeAgostino described Innovation One as an incubator for creativity. He is excited to engage students, as well as work with faculty experts, to help solve problems, whether it’s designing a new component for the automobile industry or marketing a new product.

“Not only will Innovation One help businesses and inventive people, but our students as well. This initiative improves the educational experience for our students by giving them real-world problems to solve, right here on campus,” DeAgostino said.

Robert Clark, entrepreneur in residence with Elevate Ventures, said he thinks Innovation One will be a great resource for entrepreneurs and companies that Elevate Ventures already works with in northeast Indiana. Elevate Ventures provides funding, helps entrepreneurs secure grants and co-invests in start-up companies.

“Trine University has been a leader in providing entrepreneurial opportunities for their students, faculty and the community," Clark said.

University officials said they think Innovation One will be an engine for economic growth throughout the tri-state region and will create new jobs, while diversifying the employment base. Locally, Rieke Corp. and Metal Technologies Inc., both in Auburn, have joined the initiative as corporate partners. In addition, Innovation One is providing services to or has already assisted Dwyer Instrumentation, Dometic, Deister Machine, Rieke Packaging Systems, Burr Oak Tool in Sturgis, Mich., and the City of Angola. Innovation One has also agreed to support and sponsor four entrepreneurs with their projects and  a Scotland-based company.

For more information about Innovation One, contact DeAgostino at innovation1@trine.edu or visit innovation1.org.

The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership (NEIRP) was created in 2006 to help build a globally competitive economy in Northeast Indiana through business development, capacity building and job growth. In 2010, Vision 2020 was formed under the umbrella of the Partnership to build the capacity of the region in five key areas: 21st Century Talent, Competitive Business Climate, Entrepreneurship, Infrastructure and Quality of Life. By combining business development efforts with capacity building, NEIRP has the tools needed to leverage the region's current attributes and build future strength. For more information, visit www.NEIndiana.com.

 

To share your news, contact Trine University communication specialist Lindsay Winslow Brown at winslowbrownl@trine.edu.