SoCal Innovation

By JETRO Los Angeles, Stefan Vos & Kentaro Funaki

The Business Technology Center, an incubator run by the County of Los Angeles, and JETRO signed a Memorandum of Understanding, initiating a cooperative effort between the two organizations. Using the MOU as a starting point, JETRO will work with BTC to bring Japanese startups into L.A. to be incubated at BTC facilities.

by JETRO Los Angeles, Stefan Vos

One out of six people lack access to safe drinking water and two out of six lack access to sanitation, noted David Peterson, CEO & President of Great Circle Water, during his March 25th presentation at the JETRO LA Office. Peterson discussed water issues and his own company's role in solving them as part of JETRO's 4th Tuesday Tech Exchange series. Over 20 people attended his talked, reflective of the growing concern about water issues in Southern California.

Technology Licensing
By Nochebuena R&D, Rogelio Nochebuena

We will analyze the responsibilities that the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) has at different universities, among them being custodian of the Intellectual Property (IP) created by the faculty and students in their premises. In this role, the TTO tries to find suitable users of these technologies and to negotiate the best terms for both parties. In addition, they also do a lot of the work needed to create joint ventures, incubate potential spin-offs and work out the details a sale of IP when it seems to be the best way to unleash value for the university.

Climate change and demographic shifts are beginning to strain the world's supplies of fresh water in many regions, according to the U.N.'s second World Water Development Report, and if the issue is not addressed it will be a driver of humanitarian crisis in the 21st century. Recognizing this problem, there has been an groundswell in water technology innovation across the globe. Southern California, no stranger to water shortages due to many years of an extended drought, is a major center for this innovation. The March 8th Caltech/MIT Enterprise Forum focused on water innovation by bringing together representatives from water companies, VC and one of the L.A. area's biggest water technology customers, the Metropolitan Water District, to discuss the future of this industry and new opportunities. Over 80 entrepreneurs, VCs, academics and other people concerned with water issues attended the seminar.