Bridging the gap between innovation and commercial products

Lab 2 Market

A network of contacts, programs and services

MU research often leads to new technologies, tools, therapeutics, diagnostics and other innovations that can improve people’s lives. Mizzou Lab 2 Market is a network of contacts, programs and services available to inventors navigating the multi-faceted commercialization process. We can guide you, provide helpful resources and save you time.

Guidance for your journey

Conflict of interest

MU manages activities that present real or perceived conflicts of interest. It is important for employees involved in commercialization activities to contact our staff for guidance and support.

Startup guidelines

Innovators interested in founding a company based on Mizzou research should consult this guide, which includes tips, potential conflicts of interest, university requirements, business considerations and more.

Sponsored programs

Academic innovations are often not “commercial ready,” or developed enough for the marketplace. Please consult our staff about managing translational research funding and other sponsored research.

Technology advancement

We help inventors leverage the impact of their research by evaluating innovations for market potential, securing intellectual property protection and executing license agreements with commercial partners.

Small Business Development Center experts, located across Missouri, provide personalized and extensive services to help new and existing businesses succeed at every stage.

Translational research programs and business accelerators

MU Coulter Biomedical Accelerator Program

Provides proof-of-concept funding and training for physician-engineer teams interested in translating biomedical innovations into products that improve health and patient care.

Midwest Biomedical Accelerator Consortium

Offers proof-of-concept funding and training, including the basics of biomedical and biotech product development and get-to-market strategies.

MU Midwest BioAccelerator

Offers mentoring and wraparound support in the development of new products related to the detection and mitigation of infectious diseases and other national biodefense and health security needs.

Missouri Innovation Center

Provides high-growth ventures with mentoring, business counseling, educational programming, networking opportunities and space in the MU Life Science Business Incubator.

University and community assistance

Connect with Experts

Quinten Messbarger

Quinten Messbarger

Vice President
Missouri Innovation Center
573-884-0492
messbargerq@missouri.edu

One-on-One Counseling; Business Incubation and Finance; NSF I-Corps

Sam Bish

Sam Bish

Senior Technology Transfer Manager, Life Science and Agriculture
MU Technology Advancement
573-882-5016
bishs@missouri.edu

Patent/Intellectual Property Strategy; Access to MU Intellectual Property

Brian Buntaine

Brian Buntaine

Senior Technology Transfer Manager, Health Sciences
MU Technology Advancement
573-882-0470
buntaineb@missouri.edu

Patent/Intellectual Property Strategy; Access to MU Intellectual Property

Adam Blumhagen

Adam Blumhagen

Senior Technology Transfer Manager, Engineering and Copyright
MU Technology Advancement
573-882-8963
blumhagena@missouri.edu

Patent/Intellectual Property Strategy; Access to MU Intellectual Property

Jaya Ghosh

Jaya Ghosh

Program Director
MU Coulter Biomedical Accelerator
Program Manager
NIH Midwest Biomedical Accelerator Consortium
573-882-0522
ghoshj@missouri.edu

Translational Research

David Grant

David Grant

Executive Director
MU Midwest BioAccelerator
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority Network (BARDA DRIVe) 
573-882-4487
grantdav@missouri.edu

Translational Research

Sheila Grant

Sheila Grant

Professor, Biological and Biomedical Engineering
573-884-4339
grantsa@missouri.edu

Translational Research

Mark Christian

Mark Christian

Director and Government Procurement Specialist
MU Small Business Development Center
Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center 
573-884-7667
christianma@missouri.edu

Small Business Development and Management

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