Strategic plan outlines leaders’ vision for Auburn innovation complex The Park
Zac Young, a mechanical engineering graduate of Auburn University, says he owes the success of his business, Vulcan Line Tools, to the New Venture Accelerator at The Park, where the company has its offices. The Auburn Research and Technology Foundation plans to add a Bio Accelerator at The Park. (contributed)
Leaders at Auburn’s research and innovation complex, called The Park, say the ecosystem’s future is brimming with potential.
The Auburn Research and Technology Foundation (ARTF), the engine behind The Park, is set for growth, guided by a revised joint strategy of ARTF and Auburn Research Park.
Under the plan, new program development capitalizes on the strength of partnerships, including alliances with Auburn University colleges, schools and institutes. Business, industry, government and nonprofit partners are also part of the mix.
The Park’s New Venture Accelerator has benefited from partnerships among Auburn University faculty, entrepreneurs and mentors from the business community. Plans call for a Bio Accelerator at The Park, as well. (contributed)
Capitalizing on an “Innovations Experience” model, teams of university researchers at The Park join with industry experts to provide support and guidance to entrepreneurs and inventors, helping speed development of new products to propel them toward commercialization. Programs and training opportunities at The Park support the mission, and the projects are tracked, so the public and stakeholders can stay informed about successes.
Recent investments at The Park are helping move the strategic plan forward, including the opening of a Research and Innovation Center.
On the drawing board is the “Bio Accelerator at The Park,” a flexible lab space where scientists and researchers can accelerate their research in a facility that can scale to meet their needs.
Other enhancements are in the offing, including a partnership with the National Park Service to create “Trails at The Park,” a system of natural trails through the complex that could link with existing multiuse paths and sidewalks.
“Our goal for the concept is to create a unique experience for visitors, residents and employees that will spark creativity, interaction and excitement in each person that visits,” said Bill Dean, executive director of ARTF. He said plans include expanding retail and dining options, offering entertainment and enhancing lakes bordering green space and parks.
To learn more about The Park at Auburn, visit thepark.auburn.edu.
This is the fourth and final installment in a series taking a close look at The Park and how its elements combine to make the complex in Auburn a growing force in Alabama’s innovation and entrepreneurial landscape. Read about The Park’s history and mission, its New Venture Accelerator and its research.
