New MBAs Gain Innovation Management Experience

13 July 2009

Isis Innovation, the technology transfer company for the University of Oxford, is pleased to announce the award of three three-month fellowships to graduates of the University’s Saïd Business School.

The fellowships are awarded annually on a competitive basis and are open to this year’s MBA participants. Applicants were required to submit a 1000 word statement explaining their personal interest in University technology transfer and innovation management.

Before his MBA studies Roy Azoulay worked at a Seqouia Capital backed software startup in Israel. He is keen to extend his experience in innovation management and start-up technology ventures. Roy holds degrees in both Computer Science and Physics.

Elena Andonova is aiming to move into technology financing having worked in financial services in real estate financing and as an analyst. Her MBA qualification is additional to a BA in Economics and Business Administration. Elena will work with Isis Enterprise, the division of Isis which offers consulting expertise and advice in technology transfer to clients from the public and private sectors.

MBA graduate Jonathan Butt will work with Isis staff on the business plan for a software spin-out based on technology from the Oxford Computing Laboratory. His tutor during his undergraduate degree founded and spun a company from Oxford’s Engineering Science Department. Jonathan has maintained his interest in technology and entrepreneurship through his career in forensics and sales.

Isis managing director Tom Hockaday said: “This is the third year Isis and the Saïd Business School have partnered to run the Isis SBS Fellowship program. One of last year’s participants, James Lye, is now working with Isis Enterprise based in Singapore. He is currently setting up an early stage incubator, combining mentoring and management expertise with access to funding to accelerate technology startups’ time to market.

“We look forward to working with Jonathan, Roy and Elena. They have skills and experience complementary to the development of Isis business activities and technology portfolio, particularly in the area of software commercialisation. We hope they will gain insights into the early stages of building a business from University technology, and international technology transfer activities”

Each Fellowship provides the recipient with £6,000 over the three months they spend at Isis.

About Isis Innovation

Isis Innovation is the University of Oxford's technology company and manages the University's intellectual property portfolio, working with University researchers on identifying, protecting and marketing technologies through licensing, spin-out company formation and material sales.  Isis files on average one new patent application each week, has concluded over 400 technology licensing agreements, and established over 70 new spin-out companies from Oxford.  Isis also manages Oxford University Consulting, which arranges consulting services providing clients access to the world-class expertise of the University's academics to enhance innovative capability.  Last year OUC arranged over 150 consulting deals.  Isis has established a separate business division, Isis Enterprise, offering consulting expertise and advice in technology transfer and open innovation to university, government and industrial clients around the world.  Isis was founded in 1987 and is today one of the world's leading technology transfer and innovation management companies.
www.isis-innovation.com