ARC Program / Partner Spotlight

University of Vermont’s Academic Research Commercialization (ARC) Program was founded in 2021 to help faculty commercialize their research and technology. The program has grown steadily over the past three years, offering students the unique opportunity to be entrepreneurs and gain startup experience. In this Q&A, we learn more about the program from Nicole Eaton, one of ARC’s early pioneers, and Rowan Godbout, the current student director.

Blaise: Nicole and Rowan, thanks for your time! Nicole, your involvement dates back to the beginning of ARC, being in the initial cohort and helping it get off the ground. What was the founding story behind the program?

Nicole: Two former UVM students, Skylar Bagdon and Sarah Horrigan, knew that there was new technology at the University that was just sitting on the shelf. ARC was created to allow students to experience the entrepreneurial journey, even if they didn’t have their own ideas. Skylar and Sarah approached Corine Farewell at UVM Innovations and Vice President of Research, Kirk Dombrowski. They both took a leap of faith and trusted Skylar and Sarah to make this happen. And then through partnerships with local partners and ongoing support from UVM, ARC was created.

Blaise: What gap was ARC specifically filling at UVM?

Nicole: ARC is bridging the technology-to-market gap. ARC commercializes technology and creates businesses in the process. Just as importantly, it provides opportunities for students to get hands-on experience, while paying them. Oftentimes, students do similar projects, maybe for a class or on the side, but this [compensation] really gives them the extra motivation to put 100% effort into the business.

Blaise: How does ARC align with UVM’s larger institutional goals?

Nicole: We’ve been really complementary to UVM’s mission of fostering innovation and being known for research. ARC is completely student-run, but we’re on a national and global scale. We’ve pitched in Las Vegas, we’ve been to Dallas, we’re in Boston all the time, we’ve participated in and won awards in accelerator programs. That really puts UVM on the map. We were a huge part of the RISE Summit that started two years ago. It also gives professors a push to continue to do this research, because they know that there’s potential to take it to market. Obviously, we can’t work with every technology in a year, so it builds up ARC’s pipeline as well. 

Blaise: ARC is open to all UVM students, regardless of major. Why is inclusivity important to the program?

Rowan: ARC attracts business students initially, but it’s really important that we have a diverse background of majors. When you get a group of nine students from different majors who are all learning different things, the brainstorming sessions lead to so many out-of-the-box ideas. 

Blaise: There are other adjacent organizations at UVM – the Catamount Innovation Fund, the Entrepreneurship Club. How is ARC unique?

Rowan: The hands-on experiential work is unique. It filled that gap for me; I can sit in a class all day and learn, but this is the actual hands-on work that applies what I’m learning. And I’m getting paid!

Blaise: What challenges do ARC students tend to face and how does the program help them overcome them?

Rowan: It’s easy to get discouraged in this work. When I started with ARC, I didn’t have any background knowledge or experience with entrepreneurship or business development. I was thrown into this work, and it can be discouraging, especially when you’re starting from the ground up. But our support system is huge. Other students are going through the same process. The resources here at VCET are awesome. If we’re feeling stuck on our pitch deck, or if we don’t know which direction to go, the team here is always guiding us in the right direction with clear action steps.

Blaise: How has ARC evolved since its inception?

Nicole: We started as one team of seven, and then we expanded to two teams, and eventually three. Originally, the model was for team leads to get familiar with the technology for a semester before work began. But now, because there is so much demand, the entire teams are immediately jumping in and the technology stays for a year in the program. 

Blaise: Can one of you share a notable ARC success story?

Nicole: Verde Technologies is a successful example! Obviously, I do have some bias, because I was the team lead for that technology, but it started with Chad [Miller] and Randy [Headrick] in the Physics department. They were so receptive to the idea of ARC, even though the program had only been in existence for six months. Verde has now raised capital, expanded its lab space, and moved families here to Vermont. Really exciting stuff.

Blaise: How does ARC gauge success? 

Rowan: We really hone in on our student highlights and success stories. For example, Skylar Bagdon founded ARC and is now CEO of Verde. Marco Caliandro, who was my former ARC team lead, is now COO of ElecGrid, a local startup. Julia Fitzgerald, one of my good friends who told me about ARC, is still working for Burlington Bio out of Hula. Waseya Lawton started working for the UVM Innovations office.

Blaise: Tell me more about ARC’s partnership with VCET and how it’s mutually beneficial. 

Nicole: VCET was one of the first supporters of the ARC program. Dave agreed to give ARC three years of “seed stage” funding. When I was in ARC, Sam and Dave were always the first ones I went to for feedback, and Scott Holson from VTSBDC for customer discovery. I knew VCET would be transparent with me and tell me what I needed to hear. That’s what initially led me to work for VCET – I wanted to be this type of advisor. More practically speaking, in the summer, students work out of VCET and Hula. And then, during the school year, because we’re right down the hill, students can come and have their weekly meetings here. Teams often meet and co-work in the space. This is actually the first year that ARC has its own table at VCET. 

Blaise: How does ARC plan to grow over the next 3-5 years?

Rowan: One of my goals as student director is to make sure we keep the momentum going and continue to scale. We have a student entrepreneurship coordinator now, Mollie Davis, and she’s been a big help in making all this possible and bridging that gap.

Blaise: Is there anything either of you would like to add?

Rowan: When I first joined ARC, I was blown away by the opportunity that I had. Once you take the first step and get involved, it opens your world to so many new opportunities and experiences. I couldn’t have said I pitched in front of 500 people before. It really makes things possible – and it’s really exciting work!

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. 

Learn more about UVM ARC in this spotlight video. You can also follow them on social media here.