Strategic Partners
The extensive research and technology assets committed to the Bradley Technology Commercialization Center represent a cooperative effort of the leading private and public entities of Central Illinois. These strategic partner organizations and their respective research and technology assets include the following:
Bradley University offers a wealth of basic and applied research and is an ideal partner in technology commercialization and business development. Bradley University faculty members are committed to research and knowledge creation and serve as consultants to high-tech, research, and multi-use businesses. Bradley University students utilize their multi-faceted education, group projects, and research to collaborate with faculty and entrepreneurs in the development and creation of intellectual property.
The Turner Center for Entrepreneurship
A not-for-profit program located at Bradley University. The center provides business counseling, technical assistance, training, and educational opportunities for individuals interested in starting their own business. The center also assists current business owners who are looking to expand their operations locally, nationally, or internationally, take advantage of new opportunities and technologies, and/or are seeking to commercialize new products.
The United States Department of Agriculture's National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, IL. is the largest of four USDA utilization centers. NCAUR has a base funding of $28.7 million and houses 110 research scientists and 160 scientific support personnel. The center is designated lead USDA Technology Transfer Facility dedicated to accelerated commercialization of research and technology. Since 1980, NCAUR has received 130 patents with 58 of them being licensed for commercialization.
The continued development of the research capabilities increased significantly with the recently created cancer research and treatment center. The center's advanced research focuses on understanding the biology of brain tumors at the molecular level as well as working with other brain diseases. Research is facilitated by the extensive clinical resources of the medical centers located in Peoria and the bioscience resources at Bradley University.
Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)is a Fortune 100 company based in Peoria, IL. As the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines, Caterpillar is dedicated to research and technology. Caterpillar employees earned more than 2800 patents in the past six years. The companies technology center, which is also located in Peoria, IL., includes 80 Ph. D's and conducts world-class research in materials, electronics, computer sciences, structures, emissions, hydraulics, manufacturing process, global positioning, drive train, and control systems. Caterpillar has agreed to make available those intellectual property (IP) applications that result from this research as long as they are not critical to its internal operations. As a result, this intellectual property can be developed and commercialized.
The Biotechnology Research and Development Corporation is a research and development consortium located in Peoria, IL. One of its principal goals has been to provide technological opportunities for economic development in the Central Illinois region. Over the past fourteen years BRDC has accumulated a considerable portfolio of Intellectual Property (IP). BRDC's equity partners typically pursue IP applications that show promise for large ($100 million/year) business potential. BRDC frequently has in its IP portfolio a number of applications that are more appropriate for small business development, but lacks the vehicle for the commercialization of the IP. As a result, the Bradley Technology Commercialization Center can now serve as the vehicle for commercialization.
Each of the above strategic partners, including Bradley, plus other leading public and private organizations in the Peoria area, make up Peoria NEXT which is a not-for-profit, 501 (c)(3) corporation dedicated to the creation of new technology enterprises through the collaboration of the Peoria NEXT member organizations and the development of infrastructure, including a technology incubator/research park to support this initiative. The Bradley Technology Commercialization Center (BTCC) is an integral part of this initiative as it provides the main vehicle for commercialization of new technologies in the area. One of the activities related to this effort is called "NextSteps", a monthly meeting that provides a forum for entrepreneurs, technologists, funding sources and other interested parties to hear and review presentations of new technologies available for commercialization, assist new early stage technology enterprises that are seeking financing, and to provide an opportunity for networking.
The Heartland Partnership owns the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center and works in conjunction with the BTCC on strategic initiatives to further the development of the BTCC clients and Peoria NEXT Innovation Center. The Heartland Partnership provides strategic leadership, coordinates resources, and brings to life initiatives focused on developing, growing, and nurturing the heartland economy. They serve as a catalyst for regional visioning and strategic thinking, and provide a forum for identifying regional issues and recommendations to be considered for action by the Economic Development Council for Central Illinois, the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, their other subsidiaries, and other appropriate non-affiliated entities. Following is the Heartland Partnerships family of companies.
Other Peoria area organizations supporting the Peoria NEXT initiative include:
Greater Peoria Regional Airport
Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
TransPORT: Heart of Illinois Regional Port District
Tri-County Regional Planning Commission