Purdue launches commercialization initiative in Vincennes, Indiana

Purdue University’s Davidson School of Chemical Engineering and the Purdue Research Foundation are partnering with The Pantheon Business and Innovation Theatre, investing Purdue talent and resources in a new entrepreneurial and commercialization initiative. (Image provided) Download image

VINCENNES, Ind. and WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University’s Davidson School of Chemical Engineering and the Purdue Research Foundation are partnering with The Pantheon Business and Innovation Theatre, investing Purdue talent and resources in a new entrepreneurial and commercialization initiative in the heart of Knox County in southwest Indiana.

The innovative agreement will place graduate alumni from chemical engineering with undergraduate interns in the Pantheon to commercialize Purdue technology with established corporations or newly formed startups.

“The Pantheon is thrilled that Purdue is investing its expertise, resources, and confidence into our business and entrepreneurial community,” said Nichole Like, executive director of the Pantheon. “This partnership connects Knox County with a network of talented professionals in the commercialization space. “

This new commercialization initiative in Knox County is the latest development by the Purdue Research Foundation to support entrepreneurship in the southern and southwestern parts of Indiana. Professionals from Purdue Foundry, WestGate, help Purdue and regional innovators create startups. The Purdue Foundry, WestGate, manages the WestGate Academy at the WestGate@Crane Technology Park.

“The leadership in Vincennes has been extraordinary and is making Knox County an attractive place to grow a business,” said Jason Salstrom, director of Purdue@WestGate. “This is an incredible opportunity for our alumni to work with and mentor undergraduate interns to help in moving Purdue technology to the marketplace.”

In 2020, the IPWatchdog Institute ranked Purdue third nationally in startup creation and in the top 20 for patents.

“The Davidson School of Chemical Engineering is looking forward to this unique collaboration with the Pantheon,” said Sangtae Kim, the Jay and Cynthia Ihlenfeld Head of Chemical Engineering. “We are happy to honor the entrepreneurial spirit of our alumni, most notably the late Robert T. Henson with the Robert T. Henson Scholar program that places our students in summer internships and co-op experiences at the Pantheon. This is at the forefront of the exciting intersection of ag-tech innovation with the land-grant university mission.”

The partnership between Pantheon, Purdue and the Purdue Research Foundation has already received support from local and state leaders.

“The partnership between the Pantheon and Purdue plugs Vincennes into an innovation and entrepreneurial network that is opening up economic opportunities for our rural city,” said Brian Grove, a Vincennes city councilman.

Bob Lechner, a Knox County councilman, said, “The Pantheon and Purdue collaboration is a confident step toward Knox County developing a more diverse and vibrant 21st century economy.”

About Purdue Research Foundation

The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Established in 1930, the foundation accepts gifts; administers trusts; funds scholarships and grants; acquires property; protects Purdue's intellectual property; and promotes entrepreneurial activities on behalf of Purdue. The foundation manages the Purdue Foundry, Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization, Purdue Research Park, Purdue Technology Centers and University Development Office. In 2020, the IPWatchdog Institute ranked Purdue third nationally in startup creation and in the top 20 for patents. The foundation received the 2019 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Place from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. For more information on licensing a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization at otcip@prf.org. For more information about involvement and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Foundry at foundry@prf.org.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 6 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at purdue.edu.

Writer: Chris Adam, 765-588-3341, cladam@prf.org 
Sources: Jason Salstrom, jdsalstrom@prf.org

Sangtae Kim, kim55@purdue.edu