University at Buffalo, Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships

University at Buffalo Business & Entrepreneur Partnerships (BEP) connects manufacturers, established companies, startups, and entrepreneurs

University at Buffalo Business & Entrepreneur Partnerships (BEP) connects manufacturers, established companies, startups, and entrepreneurs with the research expertise, technology, facilities, equipment, talent, funding opportunities, and innovation resources available throughout the University at Buffalo.

BEP serves as a central connection point for companies looking to collaborate with UB. Rather than requiring businesses to identify the appropriate university department, researcher, laboratory, or program on their own, BEP helps assess the company's project, technical challenge, or business need and connects it with relevant UB resources.

For manufacturers and industrial companies, support can include advanced manufacturing research and development, product development, prototyping, materials research, process improvement, emerging technology adoption, engineering expertise, workforce development, student talent, specialized equipment, testing and analytical capabilities, technology licensing, sponsored research, and access to university facilities.

Companies can collaborate directly with UB faculty and researchers to solve technical problems, conduct applied research, investigate new materials or processes, develop and test new products, evaluate emerging technologies, and accelerate R&D initiatives. Faculty-industry applied research programs can also provide funding opportunities for eligible collaborative materials and manufacturing R&D and prototyping projects.

Advanced manufacturing companies can access UB expertise and regional resources involving materials science, materials informatics, sustainable manufacturing, robotics, automation, advanced computing, artificial intelligence, data analytics, semiconductor technologies, energy, and other emerging technologies.

BEP can connect companies with high-tech equipment, laboratories, scientific services, research facilities, and specialized university resources that may be difficult or expensive for an individual manufacturer to maintain internally. These resources can allow companies to conduct research, testing, analysis, prototyping, and technology-development projects without making an immediate investment in their own specialized infrastructure.

Technology transfer and licensing resources provide companies with opportunities to identify and license intellectual property and technologies developed at UB. Businesses can use university-developed technologies to create new products, improve existing products and processes, expand into new markets, or form new ventures.

UB also supports industry-sponsored research, allowing companies to work directly with faculty experts on defined research and development challenges. Partnerships can be structured around a specific scope of work, technical objective, budget, and project requirements.

Workforce development is another major component of BEP's industry support. UB connects employers with students, graduates, faculty expertise, training programs, and regional workforce partners. Workforce initiatives are designed around actual industry demand and include areas such as advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, energy, biotechnology, semiconductors, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), cleanroom standards, high-tech simulation, and high-voltage battery safety.

Manufacturers can also use UB as a talent pipeline by recruiting students and alumni, engaging students through projects and internships, and collaborating with faculty and academic programs. With more than 30,000 students, UB provides access to talent across engineering, computer science, business, data, science, and other technical and professional disciplines.

For startups and entrepreneurs, BEP provides business-development and commercialization support, access to incubator and laboratory space, entrepreneurial programs, mentorship, technology commercialization assistance, and connections to funding. Programs can help companies move technologies from research and early development toward commercial applications.

BEP also helps companies identify potential funding resources for innovation and R&D. Depending on project eligibility, opportunities may include university-industry research programs, matching funds, state and federal programs, SBIR/STTR opportunities, technology commercialization programs, and other resources designed to reduce the financial barriers associated with research and innovation.

Key Capabilities: University-industry partnerships, manufacturing R&D, advanced manufacturing, applied research, industry-sponsored research, faculty-industry collaboration, engineering research, product development, product innovation, prototyping, materials research, materials science, materials informatics, manufacturing technology, process improvement, robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, AI, Industry 4.0, digital manufacturing, sustainable manufacturing, semiconductor technology, battery technology, energy technology, high-performance computing, data analytics, emerging technologies, technical problem solving, laboratory testing, scientific services, specialized equipment, high-tech equipment access, research facilities, technology transfer, technology licensing, intellectual property licensing, commercialization, SBIR, STTR, R&D funding, research grants, workforce development, manufacturing workforce, employee training, student talent, engineering talent, internships, recruiting, startup support, business incubation, laboratory space, office space, entrepreneurship, and economic development.

Manufacturing & Workforce Focus Areas: Advanced manufacturing | Artificial intelligence | Automation and robotics | Materials and materials informatics | Semiconductors | Energy and battery technology | Biotechnology | Product development | R&D and prototyping | Workforce development | Technology commercialization

Best Fit: Manufacturers, OEMs, engineering companies, technology companies, materials companies, semiconductor companies, aerospace and defense suppliers, medical-device companies, energy companies, startups, entrepreneurs, and established businesses seeking university research expertise, advanced manufacturing R&D, specialized equipment, product development assistance, prototyping, technical problem-solving, technology licensing, research funding, emerging-technology adoption, workforce development, student talent, or connections to University at Buffalo faculty and research resources.