If Jessica Huber were an actor, 2014 would have been the year she took home an Oscar.
The speech pathology researcher received Purdue University’s Outstanding Commercialization Award, the highest recognition achievable for faculty whose research leads to a product or technology that has commercial value and solves problems.
Huber’s company, SpeechVive, began selling a device she invented to help people with Parkinson’s Disease speak more loudly and communicate more effectively.
As a researcher, she proved that feeding background noise into the ears of Parkinson’s patients would reflexively prompt them to talk louder, slow their rate of speech and articulate more clearly.
But the scientist said she had no idea how to streamline the clunky prototype or manufacture and sell the redesigned product.
She learned about patents and business plans and how to identify and reach her target market at Purdue’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Academy.
She received early financial support from university, was introduced to Steve Mogensen, her CEO, and connected with business-savvy alumni through the Silicon Valley Boilermaker Innovation Group.
“They really helped with our business plan and our presentation to venture capital groups,” she said. “To have all these people available to help, it’s amazing.”
Huber is just the headliner for the Purdue Research Foundation’s record-breaking commercialization activities during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2014. The accomplishments include: