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What are some general guidelines about working with industry?

The OTD recognizes the importance of reaching out to the local investment community.  In this regard, President Raymond and the OTD have hosted a series of introductory meetings with several venture capitalists (VCs) and representatives of angel and venture capital organizations (VCOs). Each expressed interest in obtaining greater access to and providing supporting information about discoveries and technologies and the companies formed around these discoveries/technologies, for identifying investment opportunities.  VCs to explore mutual interests, share information about values and processes, and develop a plan for engaging the VC community to achieve individual and common goals.

In keeping with these trends, MCW and the OTD have developed practices which will facilitate the building of an entrepreneurial ecosystem where such interactions encompass diverse industries and investment groups, build mutual respect and trust and foster efficient communication.  Our practices aim to facilitate meaningful relationships which result in mutual benefits as outlined below:

To our Industry and Investment Partners:

• Access to new technologies and know-how that can form the basis for new products and/or companies
• Access to MCW scientists and clinicians who can lend their technical and medical expertise and product-market due-diligence
• Potentially stimulate co- or follow-on investments

To MCW by helping the OTD achieve its mission:

• by assessing new technologies for their commercial potential
• providing service to MCW faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students and staff

To help MCW accomplish its mission:

• Faculty retention and recruitment
• Community Engagement
• Research Funding
• Employment opportunities for our postdoctoral fellows and graduate students

To help both parties in terms of

• Financial returns
• Regional Economic Development