Tech connections: universities play vital role in the state's certified technology parks program.

• Author: McKimmie, Kathy
• Position: Education - Zoom Information Systems

THE STATE'S FINANCIAL cupboard was bare in 2002, but the General Assembly and the governor decided they couldn't afford to wait to Energize Indiana with some aggressive economic-development programs. A key component of the package was the creation of "certified technology parks," aimed at both attracting existing high-tech companies to land and grow there, and nudging the birth of others through incubators with strong university support.

That university connection is seen as a critical component for growing technology-based businesses. Indiana institutions support technology-park tenants in a variety of ways, from technology transfer to participation in research to business-plan assistance.

Zoom Information Systems, located in the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center in Fort Wayne, offers an example, through its relationship with nearby Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. "They are partners in a 21st Century Fund grant with us, as is the Innovation Center," says president Mike Fritsch. "We're creating a transportation information system to get information out of vehicles and figure out traffic problems, road conditions and other things."

Professors from Purdue's School of Engineering Technology and Computer Science are helping Zoom develop its technology; Fritsch says, and there may be opportunities for student involvement later in the R&D process. In addition, "Purdue had a business-plan competition, and we had a group of IPFW'S MBA students who helped us with our business plan," he says. Zoom's business plan took second place.

The partnership involving business students is a winner for both parties, says John Wellington, dean of the IU School of Business and Management Sciences in Fort Wayne. The experience for the students is valuable, he says, and in some cases students are even allowed to help an entrepreneur present a business plan to potential investors. "Our students are right there with him or her making the case to the prospective backer."

IPFW helps tenants at the technology park make university connections by stationing Ken McCrory at the center. As director of entrepreneurship and corporate training in the university's Division of Continuing Studies, he maintains an office at the center, and has helped link fledgling companies with a variety of university services, from student assistance to professorial expertise.

Indiana's first technology park. Fourteen certified technology parks have been approved since the...