UI Collab Forms Strategic Partnership with Gardner Innovation Search Partners and Higher Talent to Add Professional Recruitment Services
Apr. 21, 2026 — UI Collab, a wholly owned subsidiary of UIDP, has formed a strategic partnership with Gardner Innovation Search Partners (GISP) and Higher Talent, expanding its service offerings to include executive recruitment services supporting innovation leadership, technology transfer, sponsored research, commercialization, and academic/corporate engagement functions.
GISP has more than two decades of experience placing leaders and professionals in roles operating at the intersection of research, industry, and economic development. The firm is recognized within the university–industry community for its domain familiarity and focused recruitment expertise.
“This partnership expands UI Collab’s ability to support organizations as they build the leadership capacity required for effective university–industry collaboration,” said Tony Boccanfuso, principal at UI Collab and president and CEO of UIDP. “By aligning with organizations that bring deep experience in executive recruitment, we are strengthening how institutions identify and engage the talent needed to advance research translation and partnership outcomes.”
Through this strategic partnership, UI Collab will collaborate with Gardner Innovation Search Partners and Higher Talent to deliver specialized recruitment services aligned with research translation and partnership objectives. Organizations strengthening university–industry collaboration increasingly require leadership and professional talent equipped to operate within complex research and commercialization environments.
This partnership enables UI Collab to expand its capabilities by working in coordination with experienced recruitment organizations serving the university–industry ecosystem.
Additional information about executive and professional search services is available at UI Collab.
Media Contact
Nancy Stoehr-Campbell
UIDP Communications
info@uidp.net
(803) 807-3679
About UI Collab
UI Collab is UIDP’s wholly owned consulting subsidiary, providing strategic advisory, capacity-building, and professional recruitment services that strengthen university–industry collaboration, research translation, and innovation leadership. Through integrated consulting and recruitment support, UI Collab helps universities, companies, and public-sector organizations align strategy, structure, and leadership talent to advance institutional goals.
About UIDP
UIDP is a solutions-oriented global forum where academic and industry representatives find better ways to work together. Our membership, comprising top-tier innovation companies and world-class research universities, identifies issues affecting university-industry relations and seeks new approaches to partnership and collaboration. Together, we produce tools and resources to help members make a greater impact. We don’t just talk about problems. We solve them. Learn more at uidp.org.
