What is the Monterey Marine Innovation Project?
Our Story
M2IP completely understands that not all researchers are interested in starting a company and/or leaving academia. However it is safe to say that no-one would object to gaining additional outside support for their research, or seeing their invention become a commercial success, benefiting both inventor and institution.
M2IP believes that the major difference between Silicon Valley researchers and their Monterey counterparts is that in the Valley, nearly every researcher personally knows one or more colleagues who have successfully spun-out technology or product from their institution. These examples not only inspire additional licensing and company formation, but also provide a readily accessible source of practical "how-to" information from a successful colleague. This entrepreneurial driver powers the Silicon Valley entrepreneurial ecosystem, but is not available locally yet in Monterey Bay.
With the assistance of Silicon Valley based Life Science Angels (LSA) and with the encouragement of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, M2IP hopes to encourage that local development. LSA, a group of approximately 100 successful life science entrepreneurs who have mentored hundreds of start-up companies, runs a series of public service "how-to" seminars for academic and other researchers in the Silicon Valley and San Francisco areas. Several of their members have volunteered to lead similar programs for Monterey Bay.
M2IP hopes to become a resource for all researchers in the region, and eventually become the forum for "home grown" marine entrepreneurs to share their knowledge and experience with others. We welcome anyone to our classes, and in selected cases, may offer mentoring, where we have a volunteer available with the appropriate experience and expertise.
Click below to visit the Monterey Marine Science interactive research map: