History

Originally formed as The University of Tennessee Research Corporation (UTRC), the University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF) has a long history of working with inventors to bring technology to the marketplace. UTRC was chartered on December 24, 1934, to promote research and encourage the market utilization of research results. In the early years, most of the activities of UTRC involved agricultural inventions.

The 1950s were UTRC's era of stability, during which time several new products were licensed. During the 1960’s, the board, however, saw that market, business and technology trends would have an impact on the success UTRC. As a result, UTRC entered into a lengthy study of its purpose and activities. The 1970s were transitional years for UTRC. Many of the products that had been successful in years past were no longer marketable. The types of disclosures received shifted from agricultural and mechanical inventions to discoveries in biology, chemistry or pharmaceutical compounds. UTRC expanded the scope of its activities and hired its first executive director, Professor William A. Goodwin, in 1979. He was succeeded in 1980 by Professor W. Ken Stair, who directed the corporation until 1983. In 1983, Dr. Kenneth W. Heathington was appointed executive director by the UTRC Board and was succeeded by Ann Roberson.

In 1984, the Board of Directors was expanded to include representatives of every campus, university-wide administration, business and government. UTRC actively encouraged faculty and staff members to disclose inventions and marketed them to commercial entities. In addition, new methods for commercialization were introduced, such as joint ventures with equity partnerships between UTRC, faculty members, and venture capital firms.

UTRC was renamed in April of 2003 to the University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF) and its scope was expanded to include a new emphasis on entrepreneurship and economic development for technology transfer activities. A new set of bylaws and Board of Directors were established, and Dr. Fred Tompkins became president and CEO.
The importance of emerging technologies as a viable benefit of university research and development is increasingly recognized, and UTRF will continue adapting its activities and focus to provide the best service and return to the university and the region.