Industry Relations

Entities seek to enhance competitive positions.

Formal technology transfer works best when the opportunities for interaction between industry and universities are varied and robust. The Fayetteville Economic Development Council and the University of Arkansas Technology Development Foundation (UATDF) have aligned themselves with an array of internal and external entities to ensure that the wide-ranging needs of industry are met in appropriate ways. The following technology-based resources, in combination with select applied research activities taking place on the University of Arkansas' main campus, offer numerous opportunities for firms to enhance their competitive positions and contribute to knowledge-based economic development in the region.

The Arkansas Research and Technology Park

The Arkansas Research and Technology Park (ARTP) is designed to serve as a bridge between university research and its commercialization. The technology park is home to both University entities and independently owned, competitive companies. The University's Engineering Research Center (ENRC) and High-Density Electronics Center (HiDEC) are located at the ARTP. The technology park is also home to the GENESIS Technology Incubator and the Innovation Center, which both lease floor space to commercial enterprises in emerging-technology fields.

The floor space at the ARTP that is available for lease to technology-intensive entrepreneurs is professionally managed. In addition to addressing the practical needs of tenant firms, the management team exerts considerable effort to create and sustain an atmosphere of collaboration and new-venture support. In decisions ranging from tenant recruitment to facilities planning, ARTP management seeks to foster compatibility and the potential for interaction among park residents, be they University affiliates or independent firms.

The Arkansas Science & Technology Authority

The Arkansas Science & Technology Authority was created with the mission to bring the benefits of science and advanced technology to the people and state of Arkansas. This mission is addressed by strategies to promote scientific research, technology development, business innovation, and math, science and engineering education.

The Authority's activities are divided into three programmatic areas that include research, development and technology transfer. In addition, ASTA administers a Seed Capital Investment Program to provide working capital to help support the initial capitalization or expansion of technology-based companies located in Arkansas.

Arkansas Small Business Development Center

The rapid and vigorous growth of business in Arkansas creates new and exciting opportunities for persons considering or actually engaged in operating a small business in our area. Serving nine counties in north central and northwest Arkansas, the Small Business Development Center at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, strives to deliver high-quality service to all its clients. These services include seminars and conferences, one-on-one counseling, and a Resource Center complete with linked computers to assist in locating the latest information and research as well as printed reference materials.

Small Business Administration Office of Technology

The Small Business Administration Office of Technology strengthens and expands the competitiveness of U. S. small high technology research and development businesses in the federal marketplace. We also assist in achieving the commercialization of the results of both the federal research and development programs mandated by the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982, the Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act of 1992, and the Small Business Innovation Research Program Reauthorization Act of 2000.