Taking Research to Market: UA Commercialization Opportunities Support Graduate Student Careers

For graduate students, the question of "what's next?” often appears limited to two familiar routes: academia or industry. But at the University of Arizona, a growing number of graduate scholars are discovering how entrepreneurship and commercialization can provide an avenue to a wider set of career possibilities.

“When graduate students engage in the commercialization process, they’re stepping into one of the most transformative experiences available during their academic journey,” said Derick Maggard, Director of Student Ventures at Tech Launch Arizona. “It’s not just about taking research to market; it’s about learning how innovation actually moves from the lab bench or the field into the world.”

Through Tech Launch Arizona (TLA) and  Startup Wildcats, students can gain access to workshops, mentorship, and early-stage funding that guide them in evaluating how their work can move into practical application.

In the past year alone, Startup Wildcats has engaged over 500 students across campus, supported the launch of 78 ventures, and awarded $20,000 in milestone funding, proving that big ideas have the potential to become viable careers. 

Read more about Startup Wildcats' transition to the McGuire Center.

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Graduate Students Pursuing Entrepreneurship and Commercialization

Across campus, graduate innovators are proving that research can be the starting point for real-world change. 

Revolute Robotics began with Sahand Sabet’s Ph.D. research in the College of Engineering of Engineering, where he developed hybrid robots capable of both flight and ground mobility to navigate hard-to-reach spaces. With support from TLA, the McGuire Center, and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation, Sabet and co-founder Collin Taylor built a company now recognized by the National Science Foundation, Techstars, and the U.S. Army.

Hipokratiz, LLC emerged from Vinodh Subramanian’s master’s research in Systems and Industrial Engineering. After identifying the systemic inefficiencies that lead to missed patient appointments, Subramanian developed technology that turned his research on patient no-shows into a solution for a $150 billion problem. This work became the foundation for a startup that helps healthcare providers operate more efficiently and improve access to care.

And in the Eller College of Management, then Ph.D. student Jeff Jenkins and Professor Joe Valacich transformed their research on human-computer interaction into a breakthrough fraud detection system. With TLA’s support, they launched NeuroID, which grew into a global leader in digital fraud prevention and was acquired by Experian in 2024.

How Commercialization Works at the University of Arizona

The process begins when a student discloses an invention to Tech Launch Arizona (TLA). From there, TLA’s licensing team evaluates its potential, explores intellectual property protection, and helps identify the best path forward, whether that’s through licensing, collaboration with an existing company, or forming a startup.

“Students have the opportunity to participate in these steps,” Derick explained. “They meet with mentors and see firsthand how technologies are positioned for impact. If they decide to move forward with forming a startup, they will negotiate a license and then form a startup, all the while working with the Venture Development team on their startup formation, go-to market strategy, fundraising strategies and more.”

This approach allows graduate students to gain hands-on experience in innovation management and the commercialization process while developing skills that extend well beyond the laboratory or fieldwork.

Why this matters for you

Pursuing commercialization doesn’t mean you have to step away from research or your field. It’s a way to extend the reach of your work while unlocking your potential as a scholar, innovator, and professional.

“Commercialization teaches students to view their research through multiple lenses; scientific, business, and societal,” said Derick. “That shift in perspective makes them more strategic researchers, better communicators, and far more adaptable professionals.”

Here’s how commercialization can help you carve out career opportunities: 

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• Maximizing the Impact of Your Work: Commercialization ensures that your ideas don’t end with a thesis or journal article. It’s a pathway to see what problem your ideas solve and how your ideas could make a tangible difference in the world.
• Forge Diverse Career Pathways: A graduate degree no longer leads only to academia or industry research and development. Commercialization experience leads to skills and networks that can open doors to careers in regulatory control, venture capital, consulting, product management, and entrepreneurship. You become a candidate who can both generate new knowledge and apply it.
• Build Employability and Transferable Skills: In today’s evolving job market, employers value candidates who can translate complex ideas into real-world impact. Through commercialization, you gain in-demand skills such as pitching ideas, working in interdisciplinary teams, navigating regulatory or technical challenges, and securing funding. These are skills that are highly valued whether you pursue academia, join industry, or launch your own venture.

If you’re interested in learning more about protecting the intellectual property of your ideas, exploring commercialization, or learning what programs and services are available to support you, consider reaching out to Tech Launch Arizona to have a conversation. If your goal is to gain practical experience and build a deeper understanding of the commercialization process itself, consider applying for Tech Launch's Student Entrepreneurial Fellowship. 

“What’s powerful about this process is how it changes the way students think,” Derick added. “Graduate students engaged in the commercialization process will develop the ability to connect their technical expertise with purpose, showing them that their research can make a measurable difference in people’s lives.”