Annual Report FY2023
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STRENGTH & FLEXIBILITY

Tech Launch Arizona Annual Report 2023

Our Purpose

Bringing together the University of Arizona community and local and regional ecosystems, we’re MAKING A BETTER WORLD by moving inventions stemming from university research and technological innovation into the marketplace where they can create lasting social and economic impact.

Doug Hockstad

Associate Vice President

If you’re reading this report, I thank you. I’m grateful that you’re engaged in and learning about our work. Without you, without your involvement and your energy, we would not be able to accomplish what we have, and I hope you continue to engage with TLA and this growing connected ecosystem.

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Elliott Cheu

Interim Senior Vice President for Research & Innovation

I arrived at the University of Arizona in 1996, so I’ve had a front-row seat to see the birth and growth of Tech Launch Arizona over the course of its 11-year history. In my current role as the interim leader for Research, Innovation & Impact, I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Doug and his team and have seen the results of their work first-hand.

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Our Values

Integrity

We honor commitment, responsibility, honesty and transparency in all we do.

Exploration

We relentlessly search for new and better methods to accomplish our goals.

Inclusion

We relentlessly search for new and better methods to accomplish our goals.

Adaptation

We develop innovative solutions through approaching challenges with flexible, open-minds.

Determination

We focus on “making it happen” – overcoming any and all obstacles to enhancing the impact of UA inventions.

Compassion

We engage our customers, internal and external, working to understand their goals and concerns to arrive at mutually advantageous solutions.

By The Numbers

351

Inventors

42% Submitted their first disclosure

7

Startups

View Startups

298

Invention Disclosures

View Invention Disclosures

392

Patents Filed

100

Licenses & Options

$10.5M

In Royalties

80

Patents Issued

View Patents Issued
What’s Next:

Startups

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Doug Hockstad

Associate Vice President

If you’re reading this report, I thank you. I’m grateful that you’re engaged in and learning about our work. Without you, without your involvement and your energy, we would not be able to accomplish what we have, and I hope you continue to engage with TLA and this growing connected ecosystem.

In the past year we’ve faced a number of challenges. We are still experiencing the downstream effects of the pandemic. The number of startups and licenses dipped to levels we haven’t seen in years. Now the question is, what can we learn from FY2023? What strategies are we implementing to bridge new and stronger relationships with inventors, entrepreneurs, and the rest of our ecosystem players?

Even in the face of those questions, we had a solid, stable year, relying on our strengths while staying flexible. The front end of our pipeline remains healthy; we recorded a strong year of inventions reported by UArizona faculty, staff, researchers, and students. As evidence of the continued translation of innovation out into the marketplace, our royalties climbed to $10.5 million. While we don’t measure our success in dollars, those royalties are an indicator that the impact of UArizona inventions continues to grow.

Through this report, I hope you see the strength of our programs, the inspiration in our story, and how our organization and the entire University of Arizona community will continue to grow our impact for the public good in the coming years. Let’s continue to #beardown for a better world.

Best,

Doug Hockstad
Associate Vice President

Elliott Cheu

Interim Senior Vice President for Research & Innovation

I arrived at the University of Arizona in 1996, so I’ve had a front-row seat to see the birth and growth of Tech Launch Arizona over the course of its 11-year history. In my current role as the interim leader for Research, Innovation & Impact, I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Doug and his team and have seen the results of their work first-hand.

What I see is both gratifying and exciting. TLA plays a unique role in the strategic plan of our land-grant university. With the university’s commitment to tackling grand challenges and generating social, cultural, and economic impact for the people of Arizona, our nation, and the world, TLA holds a very special place in that mission. It’s this team’s responsibility to forge pathways to move the inventions created by our research and innovation community out into the world, and provide the assistance, guidance, expertise and resources to help every university employee who desires to do so, navigate those pathways for maximum impact.

I had the pleasure of attending TLA’s I-Squared Expo & Awards this year, and as I looked around at all the innovators, startups, and engaged community members, I felt energized for our future and the positive change they were all working to bring to the public. It was wonderful to see, and I look forward to continuing to work with the TLA team on this essential work.

Elliott Cheu
Interim Senior Vice President for Research & Innovation