U OF U Establishes Partners For Innovation, Ventures, Outreach & Technology

October 9, 2020

U of U President Ruth V. Watkins announced on September 30 that the U has formed the Partners for Innovation, Ventures, Outreach & Technology (PIVOT) Center. This new centralized office builds on the work by the Center for Technology & Venture Commercialization (TVC) and will facilitate the U’s efforts to drive technology commercialization and economic engagement. As a hub for partnerships between industry, university and government entities, the PIVOT Center formalizes the U’s commitment to impact Utah’s economy by catalyzing innovation.

All operations currently led by the TVC, such as assisting faculty inventors in bring their innovations to market, will continue. PIVOT Center operations will capitalize on TVC’s existing resources and with additional staff, expand to include economic development.

Keith Marmer, who has served as the executive director of TVC and corporate partnerships for the past four years, will lead the PIVOT Center as Chief Innovation and Economic Engagement Officer. 

“As one of America’s leading research universities and the flagship institution of our state, the U is a key player in generating new knowledge and enterprises that drive Utah’s vibrant economy,” Watkins said. “Keith brings a strong background and clear vision for how to refine our role in these endeavors and I am grateful for his leadership.”

“BioUtah and the TVC have always enjoyed a strong partnership, with a collective vision to promote innovation, support entrepreneurs, and create companies right here in Utah,” said Kelvyn Cullimore, president and CEO of BioUtah. “We look forward to continuing this partnership with the newly formed PIVOT Center under the capable leadership of Keith Marmer and the University.”

Formation of the PIVOT Center resulted from a yearlong evaluation process commissioned by Watkins that included interviews with community and industry stakeholders, and a survey sent to 7,000 faculty. The University of Utah was recently ranked as the 30th-most innovative university in the world by Reuters.