Cowboy Innovations Mentor Network

Making Meaningful Connections

The Cowboy Innovations Mentor Network provides OSU innovators access to experienced technology-based business professionals to increase successful commercialization of innovations and make significant impact at various stages of research and development from proof of concept, through prototyping, and market launch through existing company license or newly formed startup.

Mentor

The Cowboy Innovations Mentor Network provides professionals an opportunity to give back to OSU, stay connected to new ideas, be part of the university’s technology commercialization and economic development ecosystem, grow their professional network, and explore leadership roles with OSU startups.

Business mentors are experienced technology-based company leaders who volunteer their time to help OSU innovators grow their understanding of the business side of their technology, which will then lead to more successful commercialization outcomes from research and development efforts.

Learn more about being a Mentor

Mentee

As a program participant, OSU innovators will have a unique opportunity to work with experienced technology-based company executives and entrepreneurs who have successfully scaled businesses. The time spent with business mentors can significantly increase the likelihood of research converting to impactful solutions to unmet needs, whether through technology licensing to an existing company or through a startup company.

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Program Facilitation

Cowboy Innovations facilitates the program and will help ensure that Mentor and Mentee engagements are meaningful and worthy of your valuable time, in addition to being enjoyable and engaging!

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Testimonials

My involvement in helping to formulate business endeavors as an alumnus of OSU continues to be a rewarding investment paying dividends in relationships created and the products and intellectual property produced.

- Joel Roark
Managing Partner, TechVen Systems, LLC

“Like many things, business development is best learned from someone with the skill. For this reason, without having a great mentor it is unlikely that my entry into the business development world would have been successful.”

- Jimmie Weaver
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry