Graduate student perspective of high-tech start-up companies: Selected case studies

POLY 452

Micah S Black, micah.black@usm.edu and Alicyn M Rhodes. School of Polymers and High Performance Materials, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #10076, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
Graduate students from the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Mississippi, uniquely trained through the NSF-IGERT EMPS (Entrepreneurial, Medicinal, and Polymer Science) program were taught the formal aspects of technology transfer through intensive classroom techniques. These aspects included small business incorporation, patent law, finance, marketing, and forming business plans. From these formal training sessions, the logical next step was to examine individual technological start-up company situations and attempt to detect where each founding entrepreneur either held to or exceedingly deviated from the formal techniques learned in the classroom. What was found was that successful companies have motivated, talented, and practical leaders that have a strong belief in their product lines. Also, these companies keep strict watch over their markets and production costs, while remaining flexible with their products and product markets.