Entrepreneurship at Mason

Research, Innovation, and Tech Transfer

"At George Mason University, the commitment to Research has never been stronger. We view research as both glue and bridge. It holds together so many of the key elements that drive society, including its infrastructure, economic development, and public policy, and it serves as society's map to paths where it should be heading or, at the very least, should consider moving.

Neuroscience, global warming, homeland security, and proteomics are just a few of the many fields in which Mason's scholars now work. As our scholars gain better insight and understanding, their findings will ultimately be translated into forms that benefit all of us: new reference material, new medicines, and new businesses.

... Mason's technology transfer strategies focus on what will best serve the technology. We believe that with this focus, we are able to develop a commercialization program that is in the best interest of the inventor and creator community, the university, the economic development of the commonwealth, and the public at large. Often this strategy leads to the initiation of new companies created around one or several complementary technologies... New startups can often create new markets and disrupt well established, staid industry sectors, and it is also the way for a team of faculty and students to pursue their dreams and take a technology into the marketplace.

That's the story behind the new Mason startup Mineral Sciences LLC. Mark Krekeler, a clay mineralogist and assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, and two of his undergraduate students started this company in 2006 with each of them taking on a different role: chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and vice president for sales. Mineral Sciences started as an important technology transfer story just a year ago and continues to create excitement as its technologies begin to enter the marketplace. Similiar companies and opportunities are under way for other Mason researchers. It is an exciting time for research at Mason."