Monthly news, events & updates
Building a Rainforest in the Desert | October 2021
UNM Business and Economic Summit
November 16
Amelia Bierle and Alissa Chavez on Inno Under 25 List
Eleven U.S. Patents Issued to UNMRI in July, August, and September
Music Available for Purchase by Composer Panaiotis
Next UNM Rainforest Technology Showcase – November 9
Upcoming Events
UNM Rainforest Innovations is Launching Right to Start Movement
UNM Rainforest Innovations is launching a new campaign to support entrepreneurial activity in Albuquerque and statewide to further develop our innovation ecosystem called the Right to Start movement.

Right to Start is a campaign to rebuild the American economy by making entrepreneurial opportunity a top priority in every community. Entrepreneurship is important because it creates jobs, improves standards, allows for upward mobility, and acts as a driver for innovation and change. While entrepreneurs add tremendous value to our economy, they also face a lot of challenges when getting started.

Victor Hwang is an economic growth expert and Founder and CEO of Right to Start. He is the former CEO of T2 Venture Creation, a Silicon Valley firm that builds start-up companies, and is the co-author of the book, “The Rainforest: The Secret to Building the Next Silicon Valley,” which analyzes Silicon Valley’s success and why innovation happens best in environments that operate like rainforests. His book was also the inspiration behind UNM Rainforest Innovations’ company name and mission to Foster a Rainforest in the Desert.

Kevin Robinson-Avila’s September 23 Albuquerque Journal article: UNM, city join to spur NM entrepreneurship

Want to learn more about the Right to Start movement? Join the next Rainforest Forum meeting on October 14 at 4:00 p.m. to hear from the founder, Victor Hwang. Register here.
UNM Rainforest Innovations Announces Fiscal Year 2021 Year-End Metrics
UNM Rainforest Innovations saw increased financial growth in fiscal year 2021 and has continued to diversity its income and matched or exceeded goals in many metrics. UNM Rainforest Innovations also saw decreased numbers in a few areas, partly due to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Metrics for technology-transfer and commercialization activities from July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021, saw increases in U.S. issued patents (54) and comparable metrics to last year in number of startup companies (6) and number of license agreements (43) signed with startups and companies for UNM technologies. Of the 6 startup companies spun out from UNM technologies in 2021, 1 is located in New Mexico and 5 are headquartered out of state. UNM Rainforest Innovations saw decreased numbers in disclosed inventions (81) and U.S. patents filed (64) compared to last year.
In the Spotlight - Featured UNM Inventor
Research Assistant Professor
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Member, Center for High Technology Materials
The University of New Mexico
Dr. Ladan Arissian's research areas include optical metrology and active sensor development. Dr. Arissian also exploits coherence in ultrashort pulse generation known as “frequency combs” for development of sensors based on measurement of optical path differences. Another active area of her research is ultrafast spectroscopy and remote sensing.
Student Interns @ UNM Rainforest Innovations
Rebecca Tresise
Student Office Assistant and Accounting Intern

Our featured student intern this month is Rebecca (Becca) Tresise. She joined UNM Rainforest Innovations in June 2021 and has a unique, dual role. She serves as the Student Office Assistant and has recently taken on the duties of the Accounting Intern.

Becca is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a minor in business management at the University of New Mexico. While at UNM, she also became interested in pursuing a M.B.A. “Now my goal is to become a part of the 3-2 program with Anderson School of Management. With this I have to take the GRE or GMAT before I apply in the next term, and then start graduate school during my final year of undergrad. At the end of the year, I would graduate with my B.A. in Architecture and be halfway through my M.B.A. Then I would have just one year left of my master’s. With this course I hope to expand my options in the job world whether it be with an architecture firm or in the business world like UNMRI.”
Attend Upcoming Open Office Hours
Providing Mentoring for Your Startup/Idea
Stacy Sacco
Mr. Stacy Sacco teaches entrepreneurial studies at the Anderson School of Management, serves as the Director of the UNM Small Business Institute and is President of Sacco Connections, a management consulting firm.

Mr. Sacco will be available for one-on-one mentoring where he will give guidance, coaching and perspective to enhance entrepreneurship and provide connections to resources at UNM and in the community. There are many resources available to those who have ideas that they may want to turn into a business!

University Center Mentoring Office Hours at UNM Taos HIVE:

October 15, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MDT)
In-Person meetings at UNM Taos HIVE. Click Sign Up below to select the time frame you plan to attend.
Susan Cornelius
Join Susan Cornelius for a 30 minute startup "boot camp" session, followed by 30 minute one-on-one office hours with Susan to discuss available resources and how to move your startup or idea forward.

Registration for your individual mentoring appointment must be made prior to the event. Zoom details will be sent after your register.

Virtual Start-up Boot Camp & Mentor Office Hours:

October 20, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (MDT)
Mentoring will take place separately and individually after the initial 30-minute boot camp session.
Stacy Sacco
Mr. Stacy Sacco teaches entrepreneurial studies at the Anderson School of Management, serves as the Director of the UNM Small Business Institute and is President of Sacco Connections, a management consulting firm.

Mr. Sacco will be available for one-on-one mentoring where he will give guidance, coaching and perspective to enhance entrepreneurship and provide connections to resources at UNM and in the community. There are many resources available to those who have ideas that they may want to turn into a business!

Rainforest Mentoring Office Hours:

October 22, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MDT)
Stacy Sacco will be available either IN-PERSON at the Lobo Rainforest Building or VIRTUALLY via Zoom based on your personal preference. Click Sign Up below to select the time frame you plan to attend.
SCORE Office Hours
SCORE mentors will be available for one-on-one, confidential discussions and mentoring to inventors, students, and start-up companies.

SCORE's mentors (https://albuquerque.score.org/) are successful business people and entrepreneurs who want to give back to the community by helping other entrepreneurs become and stay successful. SCORE has been helping small businesses start and grow in the Albuquerque area for over 50 years through mentoring and workshops and seminars. SCORE is the largest National resource partner of the Small Business Administration (SBA) with about 11,000 SCORE volunteers sharing their time and talents to help America's small businesses.

In Person at the Lobo Rainforest Building:

October 29, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MDT)
In accordance with UNM policy, please wear a mask. Walk-ins are welcome, or click Sign Up below to select the time frame you plan to stop by.
Create.Sell.Bank! for the Community - Online Course
Start or Grow Your Business Online
October 25 - December 10, 2021 (self-paced)
Funded by a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, this self-paced online course will teach individuals and businesses e-commerce techniques including developing storefronts, an online presence and various strategies for driving traffic to your site. This course is open to anyone in the New Mexico community and available completely online. Course access, materials and updates
will be via Google Classroom.

Contact Morgan Parker with any questions: mlparker3@unm.edu
UNM Rainforest Innovations | Website

Sign Up to receive our e-newsletters and event emails