Through Entrepreneurship
Through Entrepreneurship is a podcast exploring how entrepreneurship – when supported by the right ecosystems – can drive economic growth, solve complex societal challenges, and foster a more equitable future.
Each episode goes beyond the myth of the lone entrepreneur to uncover the real systems that make innovation possible. From student debt and healthcare barriers to the transformative power of local businesses and public-private partnerships, the show examines the forces that shape who gets to succeed and who gets left behind.
Grounded in research and stories from entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, and community leaders, Through Entrepreneurship highlights the power of new and growing businesses as engines of job creation and community resilience.
Every conversation ends with actionable insights for all stakeholders: entrepreneurs, educators, policymakers, investors, and citizens alike – because building a more supportive entrepreneurial environment is a collective endeavor.
Through Entrepreneurship
005: United for Innovation: How Government, Business, and Nonprofits Fuel U.S. Progress
In this episode of Through Entrepreneurship, we explore public-private partnerships (PPPs) as the "unseen engine" of innovation. We trace the history of this powerful collaborative model, from the landmark Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 that ignited a tech transfer revolution, to modern examples in clean energy and healthcare. The episode demonstrates how uniting the complementary strengths of the public and private sectors can solve our most complex challenges and drive both broad societal gains and economic growth.
Key Concepts & Discussion Points
- The Power of PPPs: The show defines PPPs as a synergy of complementary strengths. Public agencies provide essential funding, unique facilities, and policy support, while private companies contribute investment, technical expertise, and market-driven efficiency. This collaboration mitigates risk and transforms entrepreneurial vision into widespread impact.
- The Bayh-Dole Act of 1980: This landmark U.S. legislation was a "pivotal game changer". It allowed universities and nonprofits to own and patent inventions from federally funded research, and then license them to industry for commercialization. This shift spurred an innovation ecosystem that contributed up to $1.9 trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product and supported 6.5 million jobs between 1996 and 2020. It also led to the development of over 200 new drugs and vaccines.
Actionable Recommendations
For Policymakers & Government Leaders:
- Establish stable, multi-year funding streams for critical R&D areas like clean energy and health security.
- Streamline processes by reforming outdated procurement rules and expanding the use of flexible mechanisms like Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs).
- Protect and update foundational legislation like Bayh-Dole and clarify the scope of government's "march-in rights" to reduce uncertainty for private partners.
For Business Leaders & Investors:
- Actively seek out collaboration opportunities with national labs or universities to co-develop technologies.
- Invest strategically in joint R&D and open innovation, allocating a portion of the budget for pre-competitive research with public partners.
- Embrace social responsibility as a strategy, viewing PPPs as a way to access new markets, develop talent, and solve public problems.
For Educators & Academic Institutions:
- Strengthen university tech transfer offices to make it easier for faculty and student innovations to get out of the lab and be commercialized.
- Serve as neutral conveners and brokers to facilitate dialogue and trust between different sectors.