Research at UD

Propel Dayton will help you understand all the resources at UD, regionally, and nationally available to help start a business.

If you're selected to officially join the program, Propel Dayton will help you write a business plan, evaluate your opportunity, find mentors and service providers, and give you an opportunity to compete for funds to develop your startup.

Propel Dayton is designed to help in all phases of the entrepreneurial process. From the initial stage where a novice entrepreneur is curious about the process of starting a business, to a seasoned entrepreneur looking for support and resources.

Overview of Program Phases

• Phase I (Exploration of Opportunities): This initial phase is about idea exploration and getting a better understanding of what is expected from a Propel Dayton entrepreneur. Potential candidates will explore how to write a business plan, how to find resources (UD, private, and governmental), and learn what starting up their own company entails. This is safe environment to explore one's interest and see if the program is the right fit for the entrepreneur and their idea. If the candidate wants to proceed to starting a company and assemble the team and resources to do so, they can move to Phase II.
• Phase II (Learning, Build-Up and Launch): Candidates move into formal training. This is conducted offsite, at one of our strategic partners who have a specific program to train new entrepreneurs. After the completion of formal training, the candidate, and what should now be a team, will be eligible for UD internal funds, as well as be better positioned for investment and governmental programs.
• Phase III (Launch): Team has begun formal operations. Teams are still eligible for Program benefits and advice, but are now looking to transition off-campus.

Propel Dayton is designed to help you as a potential entrepreneur understand what it takes to start and grow a successful business. In the beginning, the only thing required is an open mind and some time to talk with the UD Office of Technology and Entrepreneurial Partnerships (OTEP).

If, after the initial talks, both you and OTEP feel the three-phase program is right for you, you'll be accepted into the program and begin your training.

It's expected that your "skin in the game" is the time you spend in the program. It's up to you how much or how little you invest in your startup, or if you want to continue. The decisions are always yours to continue, but more opportunities are available to those who put more "skin in the game".

You'll be required to license your technology or business method from UD, but this will be at terms favorable to entrepreneurs.

Email the following information to propel@udayton.edu:

• Name
• Department/Division (if UD/UDRI employee) or Company and title (if non-UD/UDRI employee)
• Do you have an invention or business disclosure already on file with the UD Office of Technology and Entrepreneurial Partnerships? (If yes, please provide name of disclosure.)

An OTEP team member will contact you to discuss your interest and answer any questions you may have. After that initial session, we'll discuss moving forward with the program.

You'll never be required to make a financial investment by Propel Dayton. But some opportunities are cash intensive, and sources of funding are competitive, so all sources should be considered.

Propel Dayton will never require you to stay in an opportunity you don't like.

No, but it does require that you submit an invention or business disclosure to the UD Office of Technology and Entrepreneurial Partnerships so that your participation can be evaluated by OTEP staff.

The business disclosure will likely involve at least some trade secrets that will form the basis of the business disclosure.

No, because there is a mechanism whereby the public can submit an invention disclosure (note: not business disclosure) to OTEP. If OTEP is willing to take the invention disclosure on formally, you will be eligible because you have an active invention disclosure.

Note: This process requires acceptance by OTEP and requires you to agree to assign your invention to UD and abide by UD's intellectual property policy.

Yes, you can participate in Propel Dayton while remaining a UD/UDRI employee. You'll be required to perform your work duties the same as before your entry into the program.

As a bonus, entrepreneurs that complete Phase II are eligible to pitch for release time from UD to work on their startup.

Regional Resources

• The L. William Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Dayton provides a distinctive approach to university entrepreneurship education.
• The Hub Powered by PNC Bank is a joint venture between The Entrepreneurs' Center and UD's Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. The Hub offers coordinated and centralized resources for the region's entrepreneurs, innovators, builders, creators, inventors, students and teachers.
• The Launch Dayton community exists to support and inspire Daytonians who are building businesses.
• Wright Brothers Institute provides breakthrough solutions to US Air Force's most complex initiatives by leveraging resident experts, unique facilities, disruptive innovation processes and extensive networks.
• The Collaboratory provides infrastructure for people and organizations to collaboratively develop community initiatives that generate new economic, civic and creative opportunities and value.
• Ohio Small Business Development Centers
• The Greater West Dayton Incubator is a joint venture between the UD's L. William Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and The Entrepreneurs' Center's Entrepreneurial Service Provider program. The initiative provides UD students with a unique, hands-on learning opportunity in developing new businesses and social ventures.

Funding Sources

• Early Risers (monthly Launch Dayton event)
• Flyer Pitch Competition (annual UD competition)
• Accelerant Dayton
• The National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps (I-Corps)
• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
• Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
• Kiva Dayton
• VisionTech