In addition to our mission, UNM Rainforest Innovations’ vision is to play a vital role in economic development particularly in New Mexico. UNM Rainforest Innovations works with inventors, entrepreneurs, investors, and other constituents to assist in the formation of startup companies based on UNM technologies. The creation of startup companies can provide jobs for the community and assist in moving technologies to the marketplace.
Moving an invention from the lab to the marketplace is an exciting undertaking, but it can be daunting. A useful technology is just the starting point, a necessary but not sufficient condition for forming a successful company. The process of forming a company, however, is not a mystery and there are many sources of information available to help the inventors, entrepreneurs, and investors. Here are some resources to get started.
Since 1996, UNM Rainforest Innovations, the University’s technology transfer arm, has spun off 57 start-up companies from UNM technologies. In 2009 alone, UNM start-up companies generated an $18 million impact on the local economy, 162 high-paying jobs, $7 million in revenue, $8.5 million in salaries and benefits, and $18 millions in goods, services and spending. UNM start-ups have raised a total of $12.4 million in venture capital since 2004 and is second in the number of start-up companies created among its 16 peer institutions.
For more information on UNM Rainforest Innovations metrics, please visit our metrics page.