1. Emerging Ventures Ecosystem
EVE
The Role of Higher Education in
Technology Based Economic
Development

2. Mission
EVE’s mission is to turn Entrepreneurs’
dreams into reality by accelerating the
commercialization of innovations out of
the University and into the market place.

3. What is EVE
 EVE is the Emerging Ventures Ecosystem at
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute we maintain a
store front at 216 River Street in Troy, NY
 EVE is not a brick and mortar incubator rather it
utilizes a distributed model where services are
provided to the companies at their location
 EVE has a close affiliation with the Centers of
Excellence at RPI and the other college based
incubators in the Region via Accelerate 518

4. History
 RPI opened the first University based Incubator in 1980
 There have been 8 directors over the last 31years.
 Some of the notable successes include:
Map Info, Albany Molecular Research, Vicarious Visions,
1st Playable, Bullex and eCovative Design
 EVE was introduced on February 7, 2011 representing
the new paradigm in incubation – utilizing a Distributed
business model

5. Current Status
 Starting with 8 companies in February 2011 we
now have 32 companies in EVE
 The mix includes student, faculty and alumni
companies as well as companies who are not
affiliated with RPI
 Market segments include: software, clean tech,
bio, nano, gaming, ecommerce and internet
companies
 They range from pre-seed (developing an idea),
to seed (working demo and pre-revenue) to
emerging (early revenues)

6. What services does EVE provide
 Mentoring and Coaching
 Access to RPI resources-Centers of Excellence
like CATS, CFES, and CASE for technical
evaluations, prototyping, consulting
 CEO Round Table
 Business Plan development and review
 Marketing and Sales planning
 Help Desk and Professional Services
 Networking Events and Memberships-CEG,
Chambers, etc.
 Interns

7. Services continued…..
 Development and review of Quarterly goals and
objectives
 Identification and assistance recruiting key staff
and temp resources
 ID Card access to on campus programs
including the library, athletic facilities and guest
speakers
 Assistance preparing Investor/Funding
presentations
 Introduction to Angels and VC’s

8. Services continued…
 Limited financial assistance for memberships,
events, prototyping, market studies, business
plan competitions
 Annual Show Case

9. Business Model
 Companies do not pay for our services
 RPI is compensated in one of the following
ways:
– Students and Faculty develop IP which RPI owns and
licenses
– Companies license Technology and RPI gets a
royalty
– Companies use RPI resources to assist in developing
technology, prototyping, analysis or consulting and
RPI gets equity
– Combination of Equity and Royalty

10. How do the pieces fit together
 Severino Center-Idea Stage
– Student Sandbox
– Mentors
– Marketing Grants
 EVE – Incubation
– Focus on Quarterly Goals
– Mentoring/Coaching
– Professional Services
 EVE – Acceleration
– Focus on Funding
– Sales and Marketing
– Staffing

11. Severino Center
EIR’s
Foundry RPI
Biz Plan Comp
Burhmaster Grants
Alumni
Mentors/Advisors
Placement in
Ideally Suited
Location
• Downtown Troy
• Other Incubators
• Watervliet Arsenal
• Renss. Tech Park
Incubation
Program
• Support programs
• Advisory Boards
Fund
•Alumni Investors
•Investment Mgmt Board
Research
Pre Seed Seed – Early Stage
Acceleration –
Early Stage
Emerging Ventures Ecosystem (EVE)
Institute Advancement

12. RPI Centers of Excellence
 CATS- Center for Automated Technologies and
Systems http://rpi.cats.edu
 CASE-Center for Architecture Science and
Ecology http://rpi.case.edu
 CFES-Center for Future Energy
Systemshttp://www.rpi.edu/cfes
 LRC-Lighting Research Center
http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/

13. Office of Technology Commercialization
 Close affiliation with EVE
 Goal to increase the number of patents issued
and the revenue from licenses
 Streamlined Student License
 Developing an Express License for Faculty
 IP generated from Sponsored Research as well
as Independent Research – Student and Faculty
 Individuals can purchase licenses from RPI
 http://rpitechnology.com/

14. Thank You
Questions ???
Richard Frederick
Director, EVE
freder2@rpi.edu
518.276.2917