The Texas A&M University System offers engineering services that can help companies bring their technologies to market, and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is starting a new program to provide low-cost technical assistance for small businesses in Texas to address their technical challenges. Unlike other institutions that focus on developing their own technologies, TEES’ mission is to assist companies with technology development and commercialization. As part of this Technical Assistance Program (TAP), TEES and other organizations within the A&M System are offering workshops across Texas for companies to learn how to use available engineering services to expand their business.
During the half-day workshop, companies learn about the vast resources and expertise available within but not limited to the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), local Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), and the Regional Centers of Innovation and Commercialization (RCICs) along with other available resources.
Each workshop is tailored to the surrounding area and the local available resources. February 28th began the kickoff of the series of workshops, and the first workshop was held in College Station at Texas A&M University. At the end of the day, companies were provided the opportunity to visit personally with subject matter experts on topics such as technical assistance, intellectual property and contract agreements, and small business assistance. Each of the companies represented made a connection with one or more of the provided resources.
Upcoming TAP workshops are scheduled for May 13th in Weslaco, May 14th in Corpus Christi, and May 15th in San Antonio. Additional workshops and locations will be available late 2014. Individuals and companies interested in participating, please contact Dale cope at (979) 458-7477, dalecope@tees.tamus.edu or Ande Brenckman at (979) 458-7552, andreabrenckman@tees.tamus.edu.