A new start-up spinning out technology developed at the UW has the solution. Blake Hannaford, UW professor of electrical engineering, and Jacob Rosen at the University of California, Santa Cruz, developed the Raven, a surgical robot that is controlled by open-source software, meaning it can be adapted for many purposes in the laboratory. It fits on a desktop and is relatively affordable at $300,000.
Working with the UW’s Center for Commercialization, the new company (unofficial name: “Applied Dexterity Inc.”) has been formed to manufacture the units. The company has moved into the UW’s start-up incubator, the New Ventures Facility, in Fluke Hall. Within the year a manufacturing facility will be set up in the Seattle area. For help accessing UW faculty expertise and programs, call Joanna Glickler, assistant vice president, Corporate and Foundation Relations, at 206-685-6736.
UW Fast Tracks Start-Ups
SINCE JULY, the UW Center for Commercialization has ushered eight start-up companies into being based on research and innovations developed at the UW. Seven are based in the Seattle area. The UW is on track to make good, almost two years ahead of schedule, on President Michael Young’s declared goal in February 2012 of doubling the number of start-ups spinning out of the university over the next three years. From an average of eight to 10 start-ups in the past five years, there are 16 to 20 start-ups set for this fiscal year alone. The W Fund is participating in the Washington Small Business Credit Initiative, administered by Washington Department of Commerce, to improve access to capital for small businesses.
For more information about the W Fund go to: http://www.thewfund.com. Learn more about new companies spinning out of UW technology and innovations: http://www.uwc4c.com.
