Startup Central: University of Washington pumps out 8 new startups in 6 months

Michael Young at the Center for Commercialization. UW photo

Almost one year ago, University of Washington President Michael Young made a pledge to double the number of startup companies spinning out of the state’s top research institution. But has he kept his promise? The answer is yes. The UW is currently on track to reach its goal nearly two years ahead of schedule, with… Read More…

Newsmakers 2012: UW president Michael Young shines a light on startups

Michael Young at the Center for Commercialization. UW photo

Are startups in the DNA of the University of Washington? If not right now, they will be once President Michael Young finished his work. Young, who took the helm of the state’s largest research university in July 2011 after a successful run at the University of Utah, has pledged to double the number of startups… Read More…

Porsches in the parking lot; Etch-a-Sketch in the sky; and other quotes of the week

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The best insights, observations, comments, tweets and random zingers we heard this week. “This is much more than a building for us. This is a flag raising exercise. This is an opportunity for us to say that this is an important part of what we do.”–University of Washington president Michael Young commenting on the opening of the… Read More…

University of Washington to hatch startup incubator today

Linden Rhoads

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee earlier this week laid out an economic plan for Washington state that included ideas on how to spark more spin-off companies from research universities. As it happens, there’s already a strong movement afoot to make that idea a reality. The University of Washington today plans to host an open house for… Read More…

Redfin CTO Michael Young departs

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Redfin’s top technologist is saying goodbye to the online real estate brokerage after five years on the job. Chief Technology Officer Michael Young recently announced his resignation, handing over the CTO duties to vice president of engineering Sasha Aickin. At the time of Young’s hiring in December 2006, Kelman called the fellow University of California,… Read More…

How Utah tops Washington: A university that spins out more startups with fewer dollars

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Here’s the bad news: The University of Washington is not among the top schools for spinning out startup companies. Now, here’s the good news: The top school, according to a recent study by the Association of University Technology Managers, is the University of Utah. That’s significant because the UW — the largest research university in… Read More…