Gallaudet joins alliance to drive innovation, economic growth in D.C. region

In June, Gallaudet University entered into a partnership with nine other Washington, D.C.-area universities as part of the Chesapeake Crescent Innovation Alliance (CCIA). The CCIA serves to leverage the wealth of research, knowledge, and technology in the D.C. Metro area to bring more jobs and investment dollars to the region.

The CCIA, which was formed in 2008, helps its member universities communicate and share resources more efficiently and effectively. The strategic partnership aims to boost the local economy, to generate jobs, and to assist start-up companies in the capital region, while helping each university advance its respective mission.

Gallaudet joins University System of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Howard University, George Mason University, Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, and James Madison University in the CCIA.

“Working together, the members of the Chesapeake Crescent Innovation Alliance can accomplish much more to attract funding and jobs, and to facilitate collaborative research,” said Gallaudet University President T. Alan Hurwitz. “This partnership helps focus our efforts, as we ensure the Washington, D.C. region remains the epicenter of education, research, innovation, economic growth, and employment. Gallaudet is proud to be a member of the CCIA and we are excited to see the fruits of this collaboration.”

The CCIA goals are to:

• Identify funding opportunities in federal and industry-directed research and development. The Alliance will target the market sectors of energy, life sciences, and security.
• Increase technology commercialization. The Alliance will develop strategies to increase seed and early stage investing, angel network activities and prototype and translational funding centers; promote entrepreneurial visibility and deal flow; and support university technology-based spin out companies.
• Heighten awareness in the D.C. area and beyond about the quality and quantity of innovation taking place within it through marketing and public relations efforts.
• Enhance the innovation-oriented culture within the region. The Alliance will promote formal and informal social and professional networks of individuals, organizations, and institutions.
• Increase strategic cooperation across universities. The Alliance will increase communication and interaction among universities to form regional meetings, joint projects, joint academic recruitment, and foster increased technology commercialization.
• Develop funding incentives for innovation. The Alliance will present and support policies and programs to increase investment in research and development, and technology commercialization.

Gallaudet University, federally chartered in 1864, is a bilingual, diverse, multicultural institution of higher education that ensures the intellectual and professional advancement of deaf and hard of hearing individuals through American Sign Language and English. Gallaudet maintains a proud tradition of research and scholarly activity and prepares its graduates for career opportunities in a highly competitive, technological, and rapidly changing world.