Oregon Transportation Electrification Initiative: Opportunities for University/Industry Collaboration and Support Final Report Prepared for: Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium (otrec) Prepared by


Identifying the Oregon University System Technical Assistance Resources that Could Strengthen Business Growth



Download 1.71 Mb.
Page10/14
Date19.05.2018
Size1.71 Mb.
#49145
1   ...   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14

Identifying the Oregon University System Technical Assistance Resources that Could Strengthen Business Growth


The next set of questions aimed at testing what OTREC and DO thought businesses and the industry might need and asked people to pick what would work for them from a list in Question 9 (Figure 4-6).

A need for capital showed up in this question as the highest priority as it had previously, making the urgency of the situation clear. Business and marketing assistance as well as technology testing were also named as requirements for meeting projected growth. In the open text area for “other” two people listed specifics:



  • Access to Matlab/Simulink and one of the EV/HEV simulation modules (PSAT, VPSet, ADVISOR, or Autonomie) to demonstrate viability.

  • Timing is the critical point. I believe it requires people to get to a certain level of EV awareness. Maybe some type of public awareness campaign?

Figure 4-6: What additional support do you need to achieve your projected growth? (Q-9)

Source: OTREC EV Industry Needs Assessment Survey, CPW July 2011



In Question 10 (Table 4-3), we looked for the level of concern the respondents had when asked to rank what resources they felt were needed to stimulate growth in the EV sector. Participants were asked to mark how they felt about needed support by assigning a one to those things that were not important, up to a five for those things that had increasing importance.

Table 4-3: Table Ranking of Resource Needs

Source: OTREC EV Industry Needs Assessment Survey, CPW July 2011

Note: The percentages shown as responses are based on the number who answered. The number who skipped the question was not factored into the percentage formula.

This scale shows that while most people thought start-up capital was extremely important, 37% didn’t think it was important at all. Operating capital was deemed important by all who answered, but not as many respondents indicated that it was as “extremely important” as start-up capital; however, no one marked that it was completely unimportant.

Everyone ranked developing a commercial customer base as important, with 79% feeling that it was very important—more people felt this to be a priority over capital needs. Developing a consumer customer base was not ranked as highly with most of the respondents clustered in the middle.

Advocating for supportive policies was very important to half of the respondents, however, several people indicated that this was not a priority. Similarly, support in product development and research, also showed split opinions.

Collaboration seems to be desired by survey respondents. Connections with vendors and technology partners received high points for importance, as did the need to find team members with EV experience.

When asked if a shared technology and a testing laboratory, with staff and equipment would be helpful in Question 11 (Figure 4-7), over 40% of the respondents responded affirmatively, with just over a quarter saying they would need more information and about 16% indicating that this might be helpful. Almost 16% answered that this would not be helpful.



Figure 4-7: If the Oregon University System could support you in accessing a shared technology testing laboratory with staff and equipment, would this be useful for expanding your business? (Q-11)

Source: OTREC EV Industry Needs Assessment Survey, CPW July 2011

In Question 12 (Table 4-4), 15 of our 45 respondents offered information about what type of equipment, services and resources they would like to see as part of a lab or incubator. The respondents identified a broad range of equipment and services. Testing facilities were among the most frequently mentioned, with respondents identified a range of potential testing needs. Business development assistance was mentioned by several respondents and included support such as supply chain connections, business operations mentorship, and marketing.

Marketing support and commercialization of products were ranked most highly, with one person commenting that collaborating with “grey haired execs who have had to make payroll and have brought leading edge technology to market” would meet the needs for business support in a realistic way as opposed to the theoretical support of academics. Next, product engineering and design along with cost sharing opportunities and competitively awarded grants were ranked as important by just over half of the respondents. Help with business planning and intellectual property protection were desired by 44% of the respondents, while 33% were interested in help with interns.



Table 4-4: What types of services, equipment, and/or resources would you like to see a shared lab or incubator provide? (Q-13)

Source: OTREC EV Industry Needs Assessment Survey, CPW July 2011




Download 1.71 Mb.

Share with your friends:
1   ...   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14




The database is protected by copyright ©ininet.org 2024
send message

    Main page