The University of Memphis campus has partnered with more than a dozen companies to present CommuniTech Research Park.
More than a dozen companies that have partnered with the University of Memphis introduced the CommuniTech Research Park on Jan. 17. Local companies and those from abroad hope the space encourages entrepreneurship and future opportunities for their businesses and Memphians alike.
Isaac Rodriguez, a former member of the UofM biomedical engineering department and co-founder of SweetBio, a medical engineering company that uses honey for healing purposes, co-invented honey as an implantable material to heal wounds after surgery.
“We took what we learned from our previous experience to create a new lab product,†Rodriguez said. “It’s an opportunity to set up a brand new lab with the amazing people around here at places like UT (Health Science Center), St. Jude and Medtronic.â€
SweetBio is now located in the CommuniTech Research Park and Rodriguez is pleased with the facility. At 460 South Highland, the park is shared by start-up companies and businesses on the brink of a technological breakthrough. Rodriguez said SweetBio have created a device with New Zealand honey as the main ingredient that is anticipated to hit the market within the year. He also said the park serves as a good opportunity for students and future entrepreneurs.
Collaborations between companies and the community have already taken place. Multiple students have already stopped by the park to express interest in the idea of a start-up business.
“We try to engage the UofM and academic sides in all kinds of sectors to work with the university,†Rodriguez said. “Memphis has been great to us, and we’re excited to keep growing our business here.â€
While SweetBio and other Memphis-based companies, such as Book Local, are occupying the park, international companies are also located there, such as Dayamed, a Toronto-based medical company that expanded to Memphis.
Dayamed began as a father-son team and has since expanded into a company focused on providing an excellent patient experience at a low cost.
Dayamed CEO Justin Daya said he found Memphis and the CommuniTech Research Park to be the perfect spot for expansion.
“It was a natural fit for our growth in logistics, research and workforce pipeline,†Daya said. “The research park is an opportunity for us to collaborate directly with the University of Memphis and its world-class resources.Â
Daya also said Dayamed looks forward to working within Memphis and adding to their workforce pipeline.
The CommuniTech Research Park still has vacant space, leaving opportunity for other entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.
