UCLA is No. 1 in the nation when it comes to the number of startup companies launched as a result of campus research, according to the rankings by the Milken Institute, an independent economic think tank based in Santa Monica. The report, published today, also ranks UCLA No. 15 overall when it comes to commercializing university technology.
This represents a jump of 30 spots since 2006, which was the last time the index was produced. The report is based on data provided by the Association of University Technology Managers annual licensing activity survey, and specifically uses four-year averages (2012–2015) for four key indicators of technology transfer success: patents issued, licenses issued, licensing income and startups formed.
A total of 225 American universities and research institutions were ranked. Among them were UC San Diego (No. 20), UC Davis (No. 41), UC Berkeley (No. 53), UC San Francisco (No. 54), UC Irvine (No. 64), UC Santa Barbara (No. 83), UC Riverside (No. 120) and UC Santa Cruz (No. 152).
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“We’re excited to learn about these results,” said Amir Naiberg, associate vice chancellor of the UCLA Technology Development Group and CEO and president of UCLA Technology Development Corporation. “The entrepreneurial culture at UCLA and the relationships TDG builds with investors will continue to drive the local economy and benefit the public with cutting edge products.”
From 2012–2015, UCLA was issued an average of 96 patents and 31 licenses annually. Average licensing revenue earned during each of these years was $38.5 million. In addition, on average, 19 startup companies were formed each year.
These figures continue to grow as the UCLA Technology Development Group further identifies the early stage marketing potential of UCLA research and forges relationships with industry partners. In the most recent fiscal year, which ended June 30, 121 U.S. patents were issued, 114 new inventions were licensed, licensing revenue totaled $65.9 million and 21 startups were launched.
“UCLA has been a premier research institution for many decades, but its increased focus on commercialization has benefited the entire L.A. economy,” said Ross Devol, chief research officer at the Milken Institute and report co-author.
In addition to products, devices and therapies that benefit the public, these companies create jobs and contribute to the local economy. A 2013 economic impact study produced by UCLA found that UCLA startups created more than 4,400 jobs resulting in $295 million in employee compensation and $108 million in federal, state and local tax revenue annually, and contributed a total of $1.1 billion to the economy each year.
