Karen Deak named Executive Director of Notre Dame’s IDEA Center

Karen Imgrund Deak has been selected as executive director of the IDEA Center at the University of Notre Dame. She has served in the interim role since September of 2024 during which she led he roll out of its recent strategic reorganization. Deak brings to the role knowledge of developing partnerships at the IDEA Center, across the University, and beyond.

Notre Dame ranked 12th-best for graduate programs in entrepreneurship

The University of Notre Dame has been ranked as the 12th-best graduate school for entrepreneurship by the Princeton Review and Entrepreneurship Media among 250 schools across North America and Europe.

The ranking is based on the academic offerings of the University, including how many entrepreneurship courses are offered and opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration with students in other fields, as well as scholarship availability, mentorship programming, and the frequency of co-curricular activities like new-venture competitions.

Notre Dame’s ESTEEM Graduate Program, the University’s lead graduate program in innovation and entrepreneurship, fuses the University’s “force for good” mission with an experiential, industry-integrated curriculum.

Fighting for faster virus detection

Fourth-generation egg farmers Thomas and Jordan Hertzfeld are battling a new threat to their family's legacy: avian flu. As the virus spreads rapidly among bird populations, the Hertzfelds are investing in innovative solutions including a cutting-edge “electronic nose” developed by Notre Dame's Nosang Myung to detect disease early and protect their flock.

Notre Dame’s seventh edition of Race to Revenue culminates in Demo Day, a celebration of student and alumni entrepreneurship

This summer Notre Dame students, mentors, and alumni, along with local community leaders in commerce and business, gathered in Elkhart’s River District and downtown South Bend to mark the close of the IDEA Center’s summer internship program for student entrepreneurship, Race to Revenue (R2R).

Career planning platform Runwayz takes home the Amy Hirsh Guarino Award

On Friday, September 19, members of the University of Notre Dame and South Bend communities gathered to celebrate the legacy of Amy Hirsh Guarino by recognizing a local venture that best embodies the ideals of the University and reflects Amy's values of hard work, helping others, innovation, and community service.

From reaction to resolution: The future of allergy treatment

An estimated 6 million Americans cope with peanut allergies, according to Food Allergy Research and Education. A video highlighting Basar Bilgicer's research into peanut allergen inhibitors sparked a conversation and, in turn, a company that aims to turn his work into a blockbuster drug.

Meet the Team: Tim Joyce

Tim Joyce is the director of technology protection and licensing at the University of Notre Dame's IDEA Center. Tim is responsible for intellectual property management and licensing activities. He engages partner organizations that have the potential and desire to engage in the commercialization of university technology.

Opportunities

This section contains offerings for innovators and researchers from the University of Notre Dame. Explore these opportunities for learning, collaboration, and development below.

CEO/Co-Founder (Digital Health - Ambient AI - Patient Engagement & Discharge)

Alloy Partners and the University of Notre Dame partnered to establish a first-of-its-kind venture studio (the 1842 Studio) and venture fund (the 1842 Fund) that aligns with Notre Dame’s mission of serving as a “Force for Good” in the world. In close partnership with the University and its vast “ND Family” of alumni, corporate, community, and academic leaders, the 1842 Studio aims to co-create startups that address important societal challenges, such as improving health access and outcomes for our most vulnerable populations. 

We are seeking a world-class entrepreneur for the role of CEO and Co-Founder for our newest company, which is currently in stealth mode (hereafter “StealthCo”). Co-developed with a top ranked academic medical center, StealthCo is an AI-powered recovery and discharge platform designed to address the hospital capacity crisis by activating complex, hospitalized patients and their caregivers, leading to a reduction in length of stay and care team burden. 

Contracts and Compliance Program Specialist

The Contracts & Compliance Specialist plays a critical role within the University of Notre Dame’s IDEA Center, supporting the protection, management, and commercialization of the University’s intellectual property portfolio. This newly created position will report to the Director of Technology Protection and Licensing and work closely with the Intellectual Property Manager and other members of the IDEA Center and Notre Dame Research (NDR).

The Specialist will oversee essential compliance, contracts, and reporting activities to ensure the University fulfills its obligations to federal funding agencies, industry partners, and research sponsors. This position will utilize Notre Dame’s intellectual property and license management system of record, Minuet (Inteum), and the federal grant reporting system, iEdison.

Licensing Opportunities 

Check out the IDEA Center’s technologies available for licensing below. In addition, if you’d like to explore all available technologies for licensing, please click the button below. For more information about these licensing opportunities, please contact Tim Joyce.

Peptide and Antibody Approaches for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease progresses when tau proteins, which normally cover a neuron, unravel, misfold, and form tangles. These tangles can spread and cause neuron damage, leading to progression of the disease. Researchers at Notre Dame have developed peptide and antibody approaches to stabilize tau proteins.

Lymphatic Tissue Regeneration for Lymphedema

The lymphatic system is a critical part of the immune system and plays an important role in maintaining the body's fluid level. Lymphedema, a chronic condition characterized by swelling, affects 250 million people and has no cure. Researchers have developed a system capable of lymphatic tissue regeneration in vitro. This tissue resembles the physiology of lymph nodes and can be used in pre-clinical development. Further development could generate a transplantable tissue.

Media Mentions

PFAS Tech Startup Forever Analytical Win’s Rally’s $1 Million Pitch Competition

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Follow the IDEA Center on Linkedin to stay up to date with the latest news, events, student successes, and program announcements.

The IDEA Center is the University of Notre Dame's fundamental resource for commercialization and entrepreneurial activities at the University, from idea development to business formation, prototyping, and student entrepreneurial education. As part of Notre Dame Research, the IDEA Center provides the necessary space, services and expertise to support the work of bringing the best Notre Dame faculty, student, and staff innovations to market.