Global CONNECT's Research and Consultancy Services

Global CONNECT™ draws on the success of San Diego's economic transformation and on its relationship with the international research community to provide customized cluster development support to regions around the world.

• Customized mentoring programs for tech and life science based companies and entrepreneurs through the Global CONNECT Bridge Program
• Innovation assesments and asset mapping
• Studies of the impact of research insitutions on regional innovation capacity and economic growth
• Development of inter-regional and cross-regional partnerships
• Evaluation of regional cluster development programs
• Program development and execution in support of technology focused cluster development
• Customized research, program development, execution and evaluation

Services

The Global CONNECT Bridge Program™

A technology commercialization program providing direct market and business strategy assessment / assistance for companies outside the United States wishing to access the US market. By leveraging extensive social and professional networks, as well as the CONNECT Springboard Program (providing focused, one-on-one coaching/mentorship), Global CONNECT™ facilitates access to R&D collaborators, key supply chain partners, potential customers, talent, direct investment, and market liquidity channels.

Companies entering the Springboard process are assigned entrepreneurs in residence (EIRs) who help to mentor and work virtually with them. EIRs are executives with deep business, technical domain and market experience in the industry sector of the company they are assisting. After weeks or months of coaching the company travels to San Diego and presents to a panel of business and technical experts specifically selected for their synergy with the presenting company. This panel provides customized feedback and guidance. Global CONNECT has successfully conducted Bridge Programs for companies for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Korea, Mexico, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
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Innovation Assessment

Innovation Assessments provide feedback on early concepts and possible paths for commercialization.  The assessment offers one-time advice from industry experts on critical goals, business strategy, potential partners, investors, customers, and US market demands for the company's product or service.

Entrepreneurial Education & Training

Global CONNECT offers interactive and customized module topics to enhance entrepreneurial skills, improve business and management capabilities, and encourage a culture of risk taking innnovation and new technology company development. Topics include: Entrepreneurial Marketing, Coroporate Governance, Financial Statements, Cash Flow Management, Strategic Planning, Leadership Development, and Enhancing Presentation Skills.

Regional Innovation Assesment and Facilitation of Technology Cluster Development

Global CONNECT has conducted assessments of innovation capacity in many regions of the United States and internationally. The Global CONNECT team has extensive knowledge of the essential components and processes which enhance innovation capacity including how research institutions are organized for technology transfer and commercialization and the business practices which can support cluster growth.

Asset Mapping

Collect and analyze data concerning the innovation system of a particular region (for example, research assets, or technology commercialization infrastructure), and advise that region regarding salient features, including notable strengths and gaps.

Regional Innovation Seminars & Workshops

Using San Diego as a benchmark for technology-based economic development, this one- to two-week-long program provides an in-depth view of the major aspects of San Diego's high-tech/life-science clusters, including the support systems which enable them to thrive. Shorter workshops are regularly delivered for clients, upon request. A range of workshop topics include: Angel Investing delivered in partnership with the Angel Capital Education Foundation, Best Practices of Technology Transfer & IP Strategies, Overview of Risk Capital Food Chain, Overview of Specific Technology Clusters.

Inter-regional Partnership

Networks the innovation system of one region with another, through the systematic connection of key people involved in applied research, technology transfer/commercialization, and business creation/acceleration mechanisms. For example: Global CONNECT™ manages the Southern Californian end of the partnership between UCSD/UCI (University of California, Irvine) and SETsquared, the largest technology commercialization organization in the UK. Over a two-year period starting in April 2006, this partnership seeks to establish a strong web of project-tested relationships between Southern California and the Bath/Bristol/Southampton/Surrey area of South England.

Train-the-Trainer Program

Provide advice and assistance to regions in creating and sustaining organizations like CONNECT, with regard to governance, funding, operations, and entrepreneur-coaching and other programs.

More Information

If you would like more information about any of these services, please email Peter Thomas at pthomas@ucsd.edu