DAVIS – UC Davis has launched a record 14 startups this year, all based on technology developed at the university.
"What we're doing is being much more hands on," Dushyant Pathak said.
Pathak is the associate vice chancellor for research. He said more is being done to foster an entrepreneurial environment.
"You've probably heard of the valley of death, the gap between research and marketplace," Pathak explained. "I think it's more of the great plains of death."
So, the school is trying to help bridge the gap by providing infrastructural support, even funding.
ViVita Technologies was created by a couple of bio-medical engineering students getting their doctoral degrees.
"Our first product is a heart valve, but you can theoretically make an entire liver, kidney, skin patches, bone cartilage," Jeni Lee explained,
Another startup, Barobo, was created back in March 2010 by a master's student in mechanical engineering.
"I really believe robots bring a practical hands on application to math and science," Graham Ryland said.
Since 2003, UC Davis has been home to 62 startups, which makes Pathak proud.
"It's the most meaningful way in which we can take incredible research on campus and make it make a direct impact in people's lives," Pathak added.
