New Mexico Tech President Steven Wells and Nusenda President and CEO Joe Christian shake hands after signing a deal to create a new space for entrepreneurs and startups on California Street.
Cathy Cook | Chieftain of El Defenseor
From intellectual property rights to cybersecurity advice, a new space is opening in Socorro to help entrepreneurs get their business started.
The office is a collaboration between the New Mexico Institute of Technology and Nusenda, which signed an agreement last Tuesday to make the partnership official.
New Mexico Tech President Steven Wells said:
The Technology Commercialization Accelerator, a program led by the Office of Innovation and Commercialization Technology through a cooperation agreement with the Small Business Development Center Network, will co-occupy space with NMT start-ups adjacent to the Nusenda Credit Union.
“There have been decades of significant technology development at New Mexico Tech. Starting with Dr. Frank Etskone and developing the nicotine patch, it has evolved into a new spin-out, one being the Socorro Membranes. …producing advanced water and filtration systems.
NMT Startup will work with the TCA, led by TCA Coordinator Estefanita Rawlings, who provides intellectual property and cybersecurity training to clients statewide. The TCA serves entrepreneurs in the idea and invention stages and provides free confidential counseling on intellectual property.
“We are here to help them with their ideas. When people start with their own ideas, they get stuck halfway through. How do you get there?” Rawlings said.
She’s been doing that job from home for the last two years. Her office space makes it easier for her to support entrepreneurs.
Two tech startups already have offices in the space: RD Health Sensing, next-generation smart clothing technology, and Socorro Membrane Technologies, desalination technology.
Both startups have developed technology at NMT. Ryu Dong-hyun invented wearable technology and Jangjia Yu developed desalination technology.
“The time will come when these companies will have to leave the campus. If they want to stay in Socorro, they need a place to go.
“This is the next step from university to community.
Startups that started in NMT typically go to Albuquerque when they’re ready to spread their wings because they have more resources available, Tomar says.
Anselmo said the next step would be to build labs off-campus to encourage companies to stay close to inventors and campuses.
OIC was established in 2017 and Tech.
Joe Christian, President and CEO of Nusenda, said: