Ms. Palmintera is the founder and President of Innovation Associates, Inc. (IA). IA was founded in 1988 to apply science and technology resources from universities and federal laboratories to enhance the economic competitiveness of regions. Today, IA provides expert consulting services to public, academic and private sectors to promote innovation, partnerships and competitiveness. Clients include: National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Small Business Administration, Commission of the European Union (EU), numerous states, European countries, universities and private enterprises.
In October 2007 IA released a major report produced for the NSF entitled Technology Transfer and Commercialization Partnerships that provides valuable recommendations to help emerging academic institutions launch technology startups and transfer technologies. This report is a tour-de-force in the field and has already been endorsed by the former NSF Director and other national leaders. IA’s earlier report – Accelerating Economic Development through University Technology Transfer – presents best practices from the Top 10 in university technology transfer and commercialization. Ms. Palmintera also wrote Developing High-Technology Communities: San Diego (SBA) that was featured in the Wall Street Journal and Partners on a Mission: Federal Laboratories Contributing to Economic Development. She has conducted extensive work on the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and is tapped by Congressional Committees to provide her expertise on SBIR and innovation programs.
Ms. Palmintera provides strategic planning, evaluations, research, training and other consulting services on technology transfer, commercialization, industry-university partnerships, entrepreneurial development, SBIR, seed/venture capital, research parks, and economic conversion. Under multiple national and international contracts/grants, she has assessed best practices in technology-based economic development and innovation throughout the U.S. and more than 16 countries.
Prior to founding IA, Ms. Palmintera held senior and consulting positions with the National Governors Association, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and National Alliance of Business, and was an Associate of the Urban Institute. She has been quoted in national/international newspapers, frequently speaks at international conferences and has appeared on television as an expert. She can be reached at dpalmintera@innovationassoc.com. |
