Introducing the New LSU Office of Innovation & Ecosystem Development
August 23, 2021
BATON ROUGE – In a bold, strategic move, five of LSU’s entities that support innovation
and business development have joined forces under the new Office of Innovation & Ecosystem
Development.
The university’s 200-acre technology park, LSU Innovation Park, the Louisiana Business
& Technology Center, Louisiana Technology Transfer Office, the LSU-based Small Business
Development Center and the Office of Innovation & Technology Commercialization are
now aligned under a new organizational structure that will provide better support
for entrepreneurship in the region.
“We are open for business, and the sky is the limit! LSU is ready to help Louisiana
climb higher, and we will support the innovation and commercialization ecosystem locally
and throughout the state. I am very excited for our team, and this realignment will
let the Office of Innovation & Ecosystem Development better serve LSU and the greater
community,” said LSU Vice President of Research & Economic Development Samuel J. Bentley.
The new organizational structure aims to build upon the three decades of success created
by Louisiana Business & Technology Center and LSU Innovation Park former founding
executive director Charlie D’Agostino, who retired in 2019. These entities will be combined with the university’s highly
successful technology transfer office, which has garnered LSU the distinction of being
among the top 100 universities in the world granted U.S. patents.
“This is a great opportunity to reimagine how LSU and the community engage in the
startup and technology commercialization space. This one-stop-shop will make it easier
for the community to access all of the resources LSU has to offer,” said Thomas Cotten,
CPA and Louisiana Business & Technology Center advisory board member.
The LSU Office of Innovation & Ecosystem Development staff will work together to foster
collaboration, allow for easier access for the business community and better communication
across the complimentary departments. Additionally, the LSU Innovation Park staff
will maintain a presence at the park, to continue providing top notch service to the
current and future tenants.
“All of our services are accessible to the LSU community. This new structure will
provide for better service to LSU and outside-of-the-university businesses that utilize
our services. I am encouraged that this will make LSU an even better collaborator
and strategic partner for business, innovation, commercialization and technology transfer,”
said Andy Maas, who will lead this new office as the associate vice president of innovation
and ecosystem development.
Maas will have six staff who will directly report to him — the assistant director
of operations, the associate director of entrepreneurial services, the director of
the Louisiana Technology Transfer Office, the director of NASA/Stennis Louisiana Technology
Transfer Office and two newly created positions: the director of innovation and technology
commercialization and the director of the Small Business Development Center, both
of which will be accepting applications soon. When fully staffed, the office will
have approximately 24 full-time and 10-12 student employees.
“LSU’s new team of innovation and entrepreneurial support staff means great things
for Baton Rouge’s business community. We look forward to continuing to partner with
LSU to foster our innovation ecosystem,” said Adam Knapp, president and CEO of the
Baton Rouge Area Chamber.