UIDP Denver 2026 Event Materials
UIDP Denver 2026 was held Sept. 22-24, 2026, in Denver, CO, and brought together university and industry leaders to share ideas, address common challenges, and explore what’s next in university-industry partnerships. The program focused on reimagining IP management, talent development, and industry-initiated opportunities. Through hands-on discussions and networking, participants exchanged practical strategies and built connections to advance research, innovation, and workforce development.
UIDP extends its sincere appreciation to our sponsors and hosts for their support of UIDP Denver 2026. Their partnership helped make this convening possible and contributed to meaningful conversations that advance collaboration and innovation. Thank you to our local co-hosts: Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Denver, and University of Wyoming.
We also thank our presenting co-sponsor, UL Research Institutes; VIP sponsor, Elsevier; platinum sponsor, T-Mobile; gold sponsors, Clarivate, Digital Science, InfoReady, and TUFF; and silver sponsors, UI Collab and Collaborative Real Estate.
Need a recap? Access available presentations from UIDP Denver 2026, and bookmark this page to find new resources as they are added. Presentation materials are available for select sessions and can be downloaded through the blue session title links below. Please note that not all sessions include presentation materials, as this does not represent the event’s full agenda. Presentations were provided by speakers, and their content does not necessarily reflect UIDP policies or positions.
September 22, 2026
Integrating Innovation Networks: Connecting the Dots
David Tyndall, Collaborative Real Estate; Jordan Peterson, Collaborative Real Estate
Like all networks, university-anchored innovation ecosystems, at their core, are made up of nodes and connections. The characters of those nodes and connections materially impact the output. This interactive breakout explored the potential types of nodes, aspects of the connections, and how those connections can be created and improved. Together, Collaborative Real Estate and session attendees shared their observations on various strategies for connecting people and building productive partnerships – what works and what doesn’t. They also explored some available software solutions to help close those connection gaps.
Advancing Healthcare Innovation Through Solventum External R&D Partnerships
Tim Tripp, Solventum
In this industry spotlight, Solventum shared how external R&D partnerships can help accelerate healthcare innovation through strong, connected ecosystems. Specifically, the presentation explored how the company develops relationships and facilitates engagements across academia, government, and industry to connect complementary expertise, identify emerging opportunities, and advance new solutions. Attendees gained insight into Solventum’s approach to collaboration and how cross-sector partnerships can help translate ideas, capabilities, and shared priorities into meaningful healthcare impact.
Building Scalable, Mission-Driven University Partnerships at Lockheed Martin
Nicole Saro, Lockheed Martin Company
Lockheed Martin works with universities across the globe to advance cutting-edge research, develop future talent, and address complex national and industrial challenges. In this short session, attendees learned how the company structures and manages its university engagement portfolio, from sponsored research and consortia participation to workforce pipelines and long-term strategic relationships. The discussion highlighted lessons learned in aligning academic strengths with business and mission needs, navigating contracting and IP considerations, and sustaining partnerships that deliver value for both universities and industry.
Rob Everett, Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Kimberly-Clark’s presentation outlined a scalable model for university partnerships that combines broad, long-term engagement with selective single-focus collaborations where specialized capabilities or strategic needs warrant them. It highlighted three partnership lanes: training and continuing education, student-centric experiences, and innovation projects, all designed to create shared value for faculty, students, and industry. The approach emphasized talent development, applied research, translational impact, and balanced intellectual property practices. It also noted how Kimberly-Clark’s expanded health and wellness platform can widen collaboration opportunities across disciplines. Overall, the message is that durable, multi-lane partnerships produce stronger shared innovation, capability building, and real-world outcomes over time.
September 23, 2026
Analytics for Identifying Emerging Research Areas and Finding the Best Partners
Ann Beynon, Clarivate
In a rapidly evolving research ecosystem, reliable data and tools are essential to support industry/university collaboration. We discussed how journal, patent, and clinical trials data facilitate industry/university matchmaking and topical alignment. Universities and companies need to understand where research is heading to remain competitive. Clarivate’s Emerging Topics highlighted academic and corporate players in cutting-edge research areas using the vast citation network of Web of Science. Emerging Topics are linked to open funding opportunities from corporate, philanthropic, and government funders around the world. Public researcher profiles promote academic expertise to companies seeking partners in these critical areas.
Leslee Gilbert, Van Scoyoc Associates
US federal legislation is having a greater impact on university-industry partnerships. This session discussed current and future federal legislation, as well as initiatives that support collaboration.
State Innovation Strategies: The State Government Role in University–Industry Collaboration
Rama Haris, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
J.B. Holston, Colorado Department of Higher Education
Megan Ivory, Qunnect NM
James O’Brien, University of New Mexico
Angela Ver Ploeg, University of Wyoming
Following the legislative update, this session examined how state governments are shaping the conditions for effective university–industry partnerships. States play an essential role in translating national research and innovation priorities into regional action, through targeted funding programs, infrastructure investments, and workforce initiatives. Panelists representing state agencies, universities, and companies shared examples of how collaboration at the state level is advancing economic growth, technology development, and talent pipelines. The discussion highlighted lessons learned and replicable models for strengthening innovation ecosystems across the country.
September 24, 2026
Built to Last: How Strong University-Industry Relationships Deliver Value at Every Stage
Rajeev Chhajer, Honda; Chris Kissell, Carnegie Mellon University; Cody Noghera, UC San Diego; James Williams, Teradata
As AI accelerates the pace at which academic research crosses into commercial application, university-industry partnerships can no longer be treated as a Horizon 3 investment alone. James Williams, VP, Technology Strategy & Operations at Teradata, and Cody Noghera, Chief Corporate Relations Officer at UC San Diego, drew from an active sponsored research partnership to offer a practitioner-and-partner perspective on structuring collaborations that deliver value across both near- and long-term horizons. This session explored the relationship structures, organizational conditions, and strategic framing that unlock immediate access to domain expertise, early talent relationships, and faculty networks that open doors in days rather than months, while still building toward transformational research.
The Changing Model for Financing and Building Physical Infrastructure
Kevin Byrne, TUFF; David Tyndall, Collaborative Real Estate
Universities are rethinking how research infrastructure is financed and developed as federal funding models evolve, capital costs increase, and industry seeks new ways to partner in research and innovation. This interactive session explored emerging models for co-investing in facilities, leveraging public-private partnerships, and aligning physical infrastructure with long-term research, innovation, and workforce objectives. Participants examined the opportunities and challenges associated with these approaches, discussed how their institutions are adapting to a changing funding landscape, and contributed practical insights to inform future partnership strategies.
