URI_Research_Magazine_Momentum_Fall_2021_Melissa-McCarthy

In early 2022, the program is slated to open a 17,000 square foot lab-based coworking space in Portsmouth, RI. The space will serve as a neutral place for academic and industry partners to share equipment, collaborate on testing and design, and work with the Navy on unclassified projects .

CHRISTIAN COWAN Executive Director 401 Tech Bridge Chief Operating Officer URI Research Foundation

401 TECH BRIDGE

says Christian Cowan, chief operating officer for URIRF and executive director of 401 Tech Bridge. “Companies come to us when they are looking to make new products based on the latest and greatest technology.” What started four years ago as an effort to support local composite and textile manufacturers has grown into a regional initiative connecting URI researchers, industry, and government. 401 Tech Bridge facilitates the sharing of resources to develop and manufacture new products and connects them with contractors, like the U.S. Navy, looking for innovative partners. 401 Tech Bridge currently offers local manufacturers access to a suite of research and development equipment, funded by the state, at URI’s Kingston campus. In early 2022, the program is slated to open a 17,000 square foot lab-based coworking space in Portsmouth, RI. Funded by a $2.3 million Economic Development Agency grant and $1.75 million from the RI Innovation Campus program, the space will

FACILITATES THE SHARING OF RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND MANUFACTURE NEW PRODUCTS AND CONNECTS THEM WITH CONTRACTORS, LIKE THE U.S. NAVY, LOOKING FOR INNOVATIVE PARTNERS.

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