Our Mission

UARF's mission is to transform and expand the region's innovation economy through entrepreneurship education, technology commercialization, application of UA research, and creation of new entrepreneurial ventures. 

Since its creation in 2001, UARF has become a significant source of support for both UA innovators and Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs.
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UARF is home to one of the nation's first I-Corps Sites, one of the first Ohio-awarded technology validation funds.UARF is also proud to be a member of the Northeast Ohio Entrepreneurial Signature Program.​​ 

Meet The UARF Team

Dr. Suzanne Bausch

President of UARF
sbausch@uakron.edu
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Dr. Bausch is serving as the University’s chief research officer where she is responsible for growing the University's research enterprise including grants, contracts and sponsored programs; intellectual property administration, patent marketing and licensing; and oversight of programs to encourage basic, applied and funded research among faculty, staff and students.

​She will also oversee technology commercialization of University intellectual property and economic development; outreach to build relationships between the business community and the research enterprise; and provide general academic supervision of graduate education within the University.

​Elyse Ball

Executive Director
​eball@uakron.edu
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Elyse is passionate about helping creators and problems solvers find markets and customers for their innovations. She has 10 years of experience in customer discovery, technology licensing and supporting startup companies in the polymer science and biomedical fields. Elyse leads UA’s National Science Foundation I-Corps Site, which provides experiential training in entrepreneurship to more than 150 people each year.
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​Elyse co-founded the STRIDE Accelerator to support startup companies with high tech physical products. She has served as an officer or board member for five Akron-based startups that collectively raised $7 million and achieved one exit. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University and a law degree from Boston University.

​Barry Rosenbaum

Senior Fellow
​barry@uakron.edu
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​Barry Rosenbaum is a pro-bono UARF Senior Fellow focused on promoting wealth creation, angel investment, and regional innovation in Northeast Ohio.
​In this role, Barry builds bridges between The University of Akron and Ohio industry, and helps faculty and students to understand the value of their research through customer discovery.
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In 2013, he co-founded Akron Ascent Innovations with UA Professor Josh Wong to commercialize a novel dry adhesive technology platform. The company raised more than $3.5 million and exited to a strategic acquirer in 2021. Prior to joining UARF, Barry served as Technology Director of OMNOVA Solutions (now Synthomer), Technology Director of GenCorp, Vice President of Technology of Advanced Elastomer Systems, and Technology Manager of Exxon Chemical’s EPDM Rubber Business. 

​Nick Glavan

Program Coordinator
nmg38@uakron.edu
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Nick holds an MBA from University of Akron and currently serves as a Program Coordinator for UARF. In this role, he oversees UARF’s I-Corps Site program which trains more than 60 entrepreneurial teams per year. He also co-created and manages the Starting Line online program for first-time and early-stage entrepreneurs.

Nick effectively manages dozens of teams at any given time, driving teams to complete the milestones that have been set to de-risk their startups. Nick is also experienced in lean launch and agile principles, having served as an instructor in more than 15 I-Corps cohorts. He is passionate about assisting entrepreneurs to gain the foundational skillsets for developing problem-solution fit and preparing founders to meet the needs of their customers. ​

Linda Hale

Startup Advisor
​LSH27@uakron.edu
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Linda is a passionate problem solver who loves to help startup entrepreneurs turn their big ideas into profitable businesses.
She has been a business advisor in Northeast Ohio for over 30 years and serves as a startup advisor, I-Corps instructor, and Starting Line program manager at UARF. She has been an I-Corps Sites mentor since 2013 and occasionally steps in as an adjunct professor/advisor at Kent State University, Lorain County Community College, The University of Mount Union, and Georgetown University.
Prior to advising Northeast Ohio startups, Linda was an entrepreneur herself.

​In 1991 she Co-founded ES Graphics, a home-based business specializing in industrial advertising sales and web development. She has been a licensed real estate agent since 2009, with experience in residential and commercial investment sales. Linda is always happy to chat with students and entrepreneurs about their technologies and business ideas.

Tricia Pihlblad

Administrative Coordinator
pihlblad@uakron.edu
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Tricia joined the UARF Team in 2015 as both the Administrative and Event Coordinator. She is the first person you see when entering the UARF offices, she enjoys making sure all of our visitors feel comfortable and at home.  

​You will also see her buzzing around UARF events to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves and they are having a positive experience. Tricia attended the University of Akron and enjoys being part of the support staff that helps ambitious entrepreneurs navigate through their first steps of success.

​Kendall Martis

Treasurer
kmm297@uakron.edu
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Kendall has been UARF’s Director of Accounting since 2021 and is a licensed CPA. She’s responsible for overseeing the financial health of the organization. Before UARF, Kendall was a tax accountant at Ernst & Young, LLP for two years.
​There, she gained extensive tax and accounting knowledge while building corporate connections. Kendall graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master of Tax degree.

Shannon Marshburn

Graphic Design & Marketing Associate
smarshburn@uakron.edu
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Shannon is all about the digital world with her focus on graphic design and marketing. She graduated from Kent State University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and is excited to make an impact on the world with meaningful design. She joined UARF in 2020 and loves the ability to make positive impacts on small businesses and startups. 

Alyssa Riker

Accounting and Finance Intern
rschsrvssa2@uakron.edu
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Alyssa is originally from Portage, Michigan and she is a senior studying Accounting with a minor in Spanish. Alyssa is also a member of the University of Akron's women's swim and dive team!​

UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS

January 26, 2023     3:00 to 4:30pm, via Microsoft Teams
April 27, 2023     3:00 to 4:30pm, via Microsoft Teams
July 27, 2023      3:00 to 4:30pm, via Microsoft Teams
November 30, 2023    3:00 to 4:30pm, via Microsoft Teams

Email uarf@uakron.edu for more details