Event
ISR Special Seminar: Jennifer Hammaker, "The Maryland Innovation Initiative"
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
10:30 a.m.
1146 AV Williams Bldg
The Maryland Innovation Initiative: A Funding Program for Commercialization
Jennifer Hammaker
Program Manager, Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII)
Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO)
This session will include a review of the overall elements of the Maryland Innovation Initiative and a summary of the different funding opportunities within the program. Examples of best practices and awards will be shared at the meeting. MII Site Miners, the on-campus support team for the University of Maryland College Park, will discuss their involvement in the program and how they can assist applicants through the MII process.
Biography
In November 2012, Jennifer joined the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) as the Program Manager responsible for launching the Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII). The MII is a $5.8 million program investing in commercialization and start-up companies spinning out of five participating universities; Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland College Park, Baltimore and Baltimore County campuses, as well as Morgan State University. In this role, Jennifer manages all program elements, including Guidelines and Policy, the Application and Review process, Marketing and Outreach, and Board member engagement. She brings her passion for entrepreneurship and a strong background in the start-up community to her position at TEDCO.
Prior to joining TEDCO, Jennifer was Director of the Innovation Transfer Network (ITN), a first-of-its-kind Pennsylvania network of thirteen small colleges and universities focused on commercialization. More than $3 million dollars was awarded to ITN as a result of her leadership, in addition to national media recognition, and expansion of the program model.
As a start-up founder, Jennifer’s creative energy resulted in a high profile multi-media platform featuring entrepreneurs and start-up companies in Pennsylvania. Her flare for content and style attracted the attention of Fortune 500 companies and the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. Jennifer earned national recognition while her cutting-edge print publication gained industry-wide attention.
Jennifer was also Director of the South Central Region of Ben Franklin Technology Partners; analyzing marketing and sales strategies and recommending funding for early stage businesses. Over $1.4 million was invested in early stage companies during her two year tenure.
Jennifer’s early career achievements include winning multiple awards at MCI and AT&T where she helped build data and web hosting businesses; creating a 40-strong network of distribution partners for an Internet ASP in six months flat; developing the go-to-market strategy and Beta rollout for a venture-backed company; and devising and implementing an award-winning array of online services for the nation's second largest State Chamber of Commerce, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry.
