Wellspring Worldwide

Wellspring is a provider of web-based software systems for managing research and technology commercialization. Founded in 2003 by husband and wife Robert and Sandi Lowe, Wellspring was a spin-out of Carnegie Mellon University that provided software systems to universities and hospitals to manage technology transfer operations. Wellspring's software products are used by universities, companies, government agencies, and independent labs to manage and promote the value and adoption of research.^[1]

History

Wellspring was founded in 2003 and initially provided software systems to universities and hospitals to manage technology transfer operations. The company also provided consulting services and training programs for university technology transfer offices in North America and Europe.^[2] In 2006, Wellspring opened operations in Lisbon, Portugal to manage the European market. The Lisbon operation was closed in 2008 and European operations were moved to Cambridge, United Kingdom. The Cambridge offices were also closed in 2011.

In 2007, Wellspring launched a services program, initially called Managed Development Services (MDS), to incubate university-based start-up companies in Western Pennsylvania. The program was launched in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University with grant support from the Heinz Endowments.

Wellspring launched a new version of its flagship software product in 2008, renamed the Sophia Knowledge Management System. In addition, Wellspring launched the Technology Gateway, a website for universities to market research projects and intellectual property available for licensing.

In January 2010, Wellspring acquired Flintbox, a software company founded in 2003 at the University of British Columbia. Flintbox was formed as the first technology exchange for universities to post research projects and intellectual property available online.^[3] Flintbox originally worked primarily with Canadian universities and subsequently partnered with the Kauffman Foundation in 2006 to provide the technology behind Kauffman’s iBridge Network, focused on the United States university market.

In 2011, Wellspring acquired FolioDirect, a Flintbox competitor, which was launched at the University of New Mexico.^[4]

In 2014, Wellspring acquired the domain name Wellspring.com as a part of the company's transition from the name 'Wellspring Worldwide' to 'Wellspring.'

Leadership

Robert Lowe- Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Robert Lowe was previously the founding Director of Enterprise Creation at Carnegie Mellon University, a position created to provide management advice and assistance to the university's many start-up companies. He was a professor of entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University and has authored over a dozen academic papers on technology commercialization and start-ups. Mr Lowe started work full-time at Wellspring Worldwide in Summer 2007. Prior to his academic career, Dr. Lowe worked for the Boston Consulting Group where he advised clients in pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and industrial automation. He also worked as an intern in the University of California's Office of the President to develop metrics, performance evaluation software, and policy analysis related to the University of California's start-up companies.^[2]

Sandi Lowe- Chief Experience Officer

Sandi Lowe is chiefly responsible for the design and customer experience of Wellspring's software products. Sandi began her career at Monster.com, serving in a variety of roles in the U.S. and Ireland, culminating in her role as Global Products Manager. After Monster.com, she was the Marketing Manager for Carnegie Mellon's Center for Technology Transfer and Enterprise Creation, working with the university's start-ups and faculty to develop both marketing strategy and design collateral materials. Following her position at Carnegie Mellon, Sandi was an Interaction Designer at design consultancy MAYA.^[2]

Matt Hamilton- Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Matt Hamilton oversees all operations related to the company's software products and consulting services. Dr. Hamilton began his professional career as a materials engineer, working at both applied research labs as well as at two companies, including Ocular Technologies, which he co-founded. He later served as Industry Liaison at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was responsible for developing industry-academic partnerships.^[2]

Eric Kingery- Chief Technology Officer

Eric Kingery leads Wellspring's engineering and IT systems groups. Eric has been leading technical teams and initiatives in the internet industry for over 10 years and remains an active member of the local technology community, as a co-organizer of the Chicago PHP Community Meetup and the Chicago Techpong table tennis league. Prior to joining Wellspring, Eric served as the Director of Technology at Sittercity Incorporated.^[2]

Products

Sophia

Sophia is an open innovation software platform that organizes each company’s unique assets and networks by linking together a series of modules configured for each specific knowledge-generating effort.^[5] Commonly employed modules include:^[6]

• Projects
• Inventions
• Technology Platforms
• Research Outcomes
• Test Results
• Expertise Summaries (Personal Bios, Company Profiles)
• Publications & Manuscripts
• Patents & Copyrights

Flintbox

Originally created in 2003 by the University of British Columbia, Flintbox provides open innovation software tools and intellectual property exchange. Wellspring acquired Flintbox in 2010 transformed the system into a software platform and collaborative community with over 14,000 registered users and 400 different organizations across six continents. Wellspring acquired Flintbox in January 2010, and relaunched the product in April 2010 as a platform for developing relationships and driving collaboration in the innovation community in companies, universities and independent innovators.^[7]

Awards & Recognition

• 2010- Named 2nd fastest growing technology company in Western Pennsylvania by the Pittsburgh Business Times. (1st among software companies)^[8]
• 2010- Named One of the Best Places to Work by the Pittsburgh Business Times.^[8]

References

External links

• Wellspring Website