Background, Mission, and Purpose

Springfield Innovation, Inc. was formed in November 2006 to serve as one of the innovation centers in Missouri. The State of Missouri defines an innovation center as a state-sponsored, not-for-profit organization that helps entrepreneurs bring new technologies to the marketplace.

The mission of Springfield Innovation, Inc. is to retain existing and create new jobs in the Springfield region by promoting scientific and technology-based research, develop commercial applications through transfer of this technology, and support the educational and research mission of Missouri State University.

As stated in the Articles of Incorporation, the corporation is organized to be exclusively charitable, scientific, and educational and to assist Missouri State University in furthering its mission of providing research and educational opportunities for students and faculty through:

• Forming a research institute/foundation
• Promoting scientific and technology-based research in public and private institutions
• Promoting the transfer of technology to public and private enterprises
• Promoting the development of technology-based public and private enterprises
• Facilitate enterprises which may benefit the University, and to own, lease, manage, maintain and operate facilities that benefit the University.

Goals

• Increase the number of new technology-based products and businesses.
• Commercialize and apply technologies to new and existing manufacturing market applications.
• Increase the number of higher-wage technology jobs in the region.
• Develop a resource plan to achieve long-term sustainability.
• Increase the amount of research funding through both private and public resources.

Objectives

• Stimulate and support technology-based economic development in the region, by providing new opportunities for business concentrating on advanced technology research and development.
  • Support activities that will lead to the creation of higher-wage technology-based research and development jobs in the Springfield region and facilitate the creation of additional manufacturing jobs in the area.
• Identify, recruit and screen potential innovation center clients, with an emphasis on those with technologies pertaining to the capabilities of CASE and CBLS. Targeted clients are existing businesses and technology entrepreneurs, which can be assisted by the capabilities and expertise of JVIC and Springfield Innovation, Inc.
  • Facilitate the transfer of ideas and research to commercialization by providing assistance to individual entrepreneurs and local businesses to help advance their technologies and products.
• Support activities and projects that leverage the resources of the Jordan Valley Innovation Center, including corporate affiliates, into increased technology-based opportunities and research grants/contracts.
  • Support and collaborate with the activities of CASE and CBLS to provide the necessary resources and support that will accelerate the commercialization of products.
• Develop strategic partnerships with other institutions and agencies to support the operation of Springfield Innovation, Inc. These partnerships should be targeted to fill the needs that may exist in working with innovation center clients.
• Attract investment in Missouri technology-based business and technologies.
• Establish resources to sustain the innovation center, with the goal of operating independently from state funding within five years.
• Raise the visibility and educational outreach of JVIC (CASE, CBLS and Springfield Innovation, Inc.)
• Work with local business community by matching up University resources with local innovation needs.