University of Pittsburgh (Pitt): A Public University with Strong Private Partnerships for Entrepreneurship

Governance of Innovation and entrepreneurship at Pitt

Governance of Innovation and entrepreneurship at Pitt are led by the Vice Chancellor and Director of the Innovation Institute Evan Facher, PhD, MBA, and is under the purview of Senior Vice Chancellor for Research, Rob A. Rutenbar

Resources:  informative about commercialization, intellectual property, start-up forming, licensing, forms and policies provided for faculty, students, young entrepreneurs,..

“Pitt’s Innovation Institute has been key to expanding Pitt’s collaboration outside of campus and offering technical support innovators looking to commercialize", said Chancellor Patrick Gallagher (November 4, 2019)

Pitt Fact-Book-2020

The University of Pittsburgh, founded in 1787. It is now one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. As one of the nation’s distinguished comprehensive universities, the resources of the University constitute an invaluable asset for the intellectual, economic, and social enrichment of Pennsylvania, while the international prestige of the University enhances the image of Pennsylvania throughout the world. It has over 33,000 students enrolled in 1,200 academic programs (university certificate and degree) of all levels at 17 schools in 5 campuses There are over 5,600 faculty members, over 8,000 staff members, and over 700 research associates and postdoctoral associates. Total operational revenues: $2,4 billion. Total operating expenses: $2,3 billion.


Distribution of budget for 2020In revenue, grants and contracts make up the largest proportion (36.7%) while net tuition and fee are the second-largest (26.7%), the third one is sales and services, rental revenues, and others (18.6%). The expenses for salaries and wages account for46.8%, and business and professional 15.9%.

Voluntary support in fiscal year 2019: Support for Pitt came from different sources - Foundations (39.5%), Alumni (19.0%), non-alumni individuals (17.2%), corporate (7.8%), University Trustees (4.9%); and other groups and sources (11.6%)

University of Pittsburgh Economic Impact Stories 2018

Pitt is a pillar of the Pennsylvania economy from its main campus in the city of Pittsburgh to our other five regional campuses and resource centers. Pitt’s global excellence has a statewide impact. Pitt’s annual $4.2 billion-dollar economic impact is felt in the 37,822 Pennsylvania jobs we support, in the $1.7 billion in research activity, in the $114.3 billion of additional income our Pennsylvania alumni earn over their careers, and in the $73.1m from charitable donations and volunteering our faculty, staff, and students contribute to Pennsylvania communities each year.

University of Pittsburgh Innovation Institute

A hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. 

Specific activities: providing educational programming, mentoring and networking for Pitt faculty, students and partners, facilitating & supporting entrepreneurial initiatives across the university and beyond; helping achieve societal impact through commercialization by inviting alumni, entrepreneurs and industry partners to collaborate with our faculty and students. 

 

The following are a couple of significant affiliations of the Innovation Institute:

Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence

Assisting entrepreneurs throughout Western Pennsylvania in starting, growing or transitioning their businesses. It offers a dynamic mix of consulting, education, and networking opportunities. It strives to be an innovative leader in economic development in the region. 

Here is a look at the IEE’s Main Centers

Small Business Development Center
Urban & Community Entrepreneurship Program
Entrepreneurial Fellows Class
Panther Lab Works

Big Idea Center

A hub for student innovation and entrepreneurship on campus. Established in 2018 with a seed gift of $2 million from Pitt alumnus and trustee Bob Randall.  Mr. Randall and his family had previously created the Randall Family Big Idea Competition, the region’s largest student pitch competition since its inception in 2008.  It brings under one roof the numerous educational programs and resources for Pitt students of all levels from across the university who are interested in hands-on entrepreneurship learning opportunities. 

Innovation Practice Institute, Pitt's School of Law

A first-of-its-kind collaboration among a law school, the practicing bar, and local innovators and entrepreneurs. It connects students with entrepreneurs, trains new lawyers to partner with innovators, and teaches lawyers to be innovators.

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Comes to Pitt

A Pitt x CMU collaboration presents the unique case of two universities combining efforts for GEW. The Big Idea Center for student entrepreneurship at the University of Pittsburgh’s Innovation Institute, and Carnegie Mellon’s Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship and Project Olympus, have pooled their resources to ensure that all students will get the best experience possible, including a little friendly competition.