Introducing the U.S.-China Joint IP Research Team

What if we could bring an influx of Chinese investment in cleantech research at U.S. universities? What would successful collaborations look like? How would these deals be structured?

We're a team of graduate students at the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE), embarking on a year-long research project to answer these questions. We're excited to be sponsored by OnGreen—as a major marketplace for cleantech innovation, OnGreen is both a rich resource for and a primary beneficiary of our research.

Here's some info about our individual topic areas and academic focus (click on our profile links for more background info):

Cameron Smith is talking to university tech transfer offices and business engagement centers, getting an understanding the roles and incentives for U.S. universities to partner with private investors on research projects. So far, his sense is that they are open to partnerships with Chinese investors, but the universities are unsure of the Chinese level of interest. Cam is a dual-degree MBA/MS student, focusing his studies on clean tech entrepreneurship, and is especially interested in U.S./China synergies to invent and commercialize the green revolution.

Martha Campbell is concentrating on understanding relevant licensing structures and funding models, looking at how the research and development continuum functions within the United States and what leverage points cleantech innovators can seek to target. She is also a dual-degree MBA/MS student, specifically focusing on the intersection of clean tech manufacturing with degraded land regeneration and conservation.

(Interestingly, Cam and Martha previously hatched an idea for a consolidated cleantech platform where inventors could connect to start-ups, manufacturers, or general sustainability problem solvers...only to find out that OnGreen was already doing it!)

Robert McIntosh is investigating financial structure in IP investment, IP sharing, and commercialization scenarios. Additionally, he will be looking at relevant IP law concerns between China and the US. He is an MS student in Environmental Planning and Policy focusing on international law, energy technologies, and energy systems planning.

Cynthia Shih is looking at case studies of existing partnerships between U.S. universities and Chinese business entities, such as the collaboration between Trina Solar and MIT and between ZCNI and UCLA. She is an MBA/MS student as well, focusing on collaborative processes and innovations that spark large-scale behavior change.

We look forward to participating in the dialogue here, and hopefully bringing valuable insights on the investment landscape to all of you!