Page 67 - fall2017

TLA NETWORK

MAKES IT Tstartup each month to the world. To make it happen, TLA depends on a network
ech Launch Arizona brings about 100 inventions a year and more than one

of over 1,400 volunteers who play an important role in helping UA researchers take
discoveries to market as successful products and services.
HAPPEN About 50 percent of network members are UA alumni. All have an affinity for the

UA and a curiosity about early-stage technologies coming from the university.
Those elements are at the core of their motivation to volunteer for TLA.
Within the network, 25 highly qualified technology experts, business leaders and
entrepreneurs offer their time and expertise to help refine UA inventions, develop
startup strategies and teams, and maximize the impact of UA inventions.

Meet these UA alumni whose expertise is an integral part of TLA’s success

Brian Ellerman Trina Callie-Dixon

Digital Initiative Lead, Sanofi Business Operations Manager, Raytheon
“I’m convinced that startups are the “As a two-time alumna of the UA, I
true engine of economic growth, and have always been a strong believer
universities play a pivotal role in this. in its strength and innovation.
TLA offers an opportunity for me to Involvement with TLA allows me to
share my passion and experience Ted Kraus stay engaged and
while tackling the to bring my business
challenging Investment Director, Techcode AI experience to
task of finding Accelerator bear in helping
real-world, commercialize
commercial use “TLA provides students and researchers world-class
for the incredible at the university with access to the technology.
research being human, intellectual and financial capital A win-win!”
done.” they need to bring their technologies to
market. TLA’s management team is top
tier, and its commercialization partners
Crystal Taggart and mentors have the experience and Mark Baker
network to help entrepreneurs spin-out
and scale their startups.”
Author, Technologist, Consultant Principal, CheckMark Consulting, Inc.
“The inventions coming out of the “When I met with TLA, I hoped that
UA are impressive – everything my business experiences might help
from solving organizational process others shortcut the path from
inefficiencies to helping find a cure concept to commercialization.
for cancer. As an entrepreneur It has been gratifying to have
and technology consultant, I am had two teams that I mentored
always looking for cutting-edge through TLA’s program
technology that can solve major establish businesses that are
business challenges. Through rapidly progressing towards
TLA, we can effectively tap the UA’s commercializing their products.”
inventive power.”

FALL 2017 65