North America
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William Kirkland picked to helm South Carolina Research Authority
The former executive of the University of South Carolina’s Office of Economic Engagement will run the South Carolina Research Authority.
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Cleveland Clinic and Khosla Ventures cooperate on venture creation
Cleveland Clinic and Khosla Ventures have inked a partnership that will see the two collaborate on spinout creation.
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Karen Deak made permanent executive director of IDEA Center
Karen Deak has been executive director of the University of Notre Dame’s IDEA Center in an interim capacity since September 2024.
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Allison Markova to head tech transfer at the URI Research Foundation
Allison Markova is the new director of technology transfer and innovation partnerships at the University of Rhode Island Research Foundation.
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University of Arkansas promotes tech transfer leader David Hinton
David Hinton, the executive director of Technology Ventures since 2023, is now associate vice chancellor for research and innovation.
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Mireya McKee to run Innovate Carolina’s New Ventures and Partnerships group
Mireya McKee has been appointed interim director of the New Ventures and Partnerships group within UNC at Chapel Hill’s innovation unit.
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University of British Columbia’s Gail Murphy will step down in spring
The University of British Columbia’s vice president for research and innovation, Gail Murphy, will step down after nine years in the role.
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Mila explores the launch of a venture fund
The AI-focused research institute in Quebec has brought in corporate VC expertise to help develop the fund.
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University of the Virgin Islands promotes Nelson Pizarro
The University of the Virgin Islands has promoted Nelson Pizarro to assistant vice president for entrepreneurship and economic development.
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Concordia names Emad Shihab AVP of research, policy, entrepreneurship, and impact
Emad Shihab will step into his new duties as associate vice president of research, policy, entrepreneurship and impact on 1 November.
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Wayne State University promotes two for innovation roles
Matthew Allen is the new assistant vice president for research and innovation, while Jessica Back also joins the Division of Research and Innovation.
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Sugar Free Capital secures $32 million to back MIT founders
The firm was launched by Sheena Jindal, an alumna of MIT who was previously a partner at Comcast Ventures for three years.
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Rice Alliance hires John Reale as managing director
John Reale will report to associate vice president Brad Burke, and will oversee startup and investor engagement.
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Oliver Schmitz takes on entrepreneurship role at UW-Madison
Oliver Schmitz has been appointed the inaugural associate dean for corporate engagement and entrepreneurship at the College of Engineering.
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Marcus Burgess joins Florida A&M University to head innovation
Florida A&M University has brought in Marcus Burgess as senior vice president of enterprise partnerships and innovation.
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UH Ventures promotes Kipum Lee to president
UH Ventures has selected Kipum Lee as its new president, succeeding David Sylvan, who will focus on his role with University Hospitals itself.
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Friday Five: VR glaucoma scans, heat-powered sensors, and 3D‑printing space trash into tools
Spinouts turn waste, thermal energy and VR tech into sustainable solutions for industry, space, and healthcare.
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Langis Roy named vice president of research and innovation at Lakehead University
Langis Roy joins Canada’s Lakehead University to craft a new research strategy, boost industry ties, and explore AI-driven entrepreneurship.
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Friday Five: EnAcuity, Filics, Gallion Health, ODOS, Plasma Fresh
Software that turns surgical cameras into hyperpectral imaging tools, a platform that helps farmers operate more sustainably, and cold plasma that kills foodborne pathogens are all becoming real applications thanks to these spinouts.
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David O’Neill departs from FACIT
David O’Neill had been president of oncology-focused commercialisation firm Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust since 2018. Peter Goodhand replaces him.
