Montana State University’s Optical Technology Center (OpTeC)

Joseph Shaw, Ph.D.

Director, Optical Technology Center

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana USA

The Montana brain drain in 1990

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The solution emerged through partnerships

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EPSCoR

The roots of OpTeC

Faculty in Physics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering

TMA & Associates

Fledgling companies

OpTeC faculty and staff – 2015

Important elements of success• Annual meeting with everyone

• Ongoing refinement of classes & degrees

• > $63M SBIR, STTR funds

• > 66 patents (most licensed, all in MT)

• Montana Photonics Industry Alliance

• Trained > 200 graduate & 300 undergraduate students

• “Gentle transition” to companies

• Continued investment

Brain drain reversal

2011 Inc. 500 fastest growing companies

Dr. Pete Roos - Bridger Photonics CEO

Conclusion

Desirable location

+ Research-active university

+ Strategic investment of funds & resources

+ People willing to take a chance

+ University-industry partnerships

+ Personal relationships (!!!)

= success

But it takes time!

Why Montana? … it sort of started with the invention of the laser in 1960