Avnet makes $250,000 annual commitment to
accelerate the success of entrepreneurs and spark next-generation
technology ideas
Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a leading global technology distributor,
today announced a new partnership with Arizona State University
(ASU) and its Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. The
organizations collaborated to create the Avnet Innovation Lab,
which is designed to spur economic growth in the technology sector
and enable aspiring entrepreneurs to advance their innovations. The
lab will provide critical business consultation and venture support
to entrepreneurs developing new technology, especially inventions
that make the world a better place.
This Smart News Release features multimedia.
View the full release here:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160517006502/en/
Members of the Avnet Innovation Lab
Council presented a check February 2016. From left to right, Wade
McDaniel, vice president of supply chain solutions, Avnet, Inc.;
Dr. Cody Friesen, ASU Associate Professor and CEO of Zero Mass
Water; MaryAnn Miller, senior vice president, chief human resources
officer and corporate marketing & communications for Avnet,
Inc.; Dr. Kyle Squires, Dean of Ira A. Fulton Schools of
Engineering; and Kris Burgoon, vice president of marketing
services, Avnet Electronics Marketing. (Photo: Business Wire)
Avnet will exclusively support the lab with an annual commitment
of $250,000 plus administrative expenses for three years. The
donation will award funding to select entrepreneurs, or performers,
to accelerate their ideas and take their inventions to the next
level. Avnet and ASU will also provide mentorship and critical
connections for performers to bring their technologies to market,
as well as offer dedicated lab space in the Ira A. Fulton Schools
of Engineering.
“The technology industry exists because of those individuals
driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, but every inventor needs
support to bring their ideas to life,” said MaryAnn Miller, senior
vice president, chief human resources officer and corporate
marketing & communications for Avnet, Inc. “We created the
Avnet Innovation Lab at ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
to give today’s entrepreneurs access to the combined consulting
services, facilities and resources of a Fortune 500 company and one
of the most innovative schools in the U.S. Avnet and ASU share a
passion for innovation and life-long learning. Together, we will
inspire those advancing technology to make the world a better
place.”
Avnet and ASU have selected four entrepreneur organizations that
are creating revolutionary technology to participate in the Avnet
Innovation Lab. The selected participants must demonstrate a
dedication to using technology to help improve the world and have
ideas or products that can be scaled on a global basis.
“Entrepreneurship and innovation are a part of everything we do
as a university,” said Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering Dean
Dr. Kyle Squires. “To be successful in these areas, we need strong
corporate partners. ASU will be able to offer entrepreneurs a new
experience through the Avnet Innovation Lab. We will connect them
with one of the largest companies in the world – Avnet – which is
an expert in the intricacies of bringing technology to market.”
The Avnet Innovation Lab is led by a highly-experienced advisory
council that will select and guide performers in areas related to
business strategy, design, engineering, marketing and supply chain.
The advisory council includes Dave Bent, vice president of IT,
Avnet, Inc.; Kris Burgoon, vice president of marketing services,
Avnet Electronics Marketing; Julie Jones, vice president of
supplier marketing, Avnet Technology Solutions; Wade McDaniel, vice
president of supply chain solutions, Avnet Velocity; Dr. Kyle
Squires, Dean of Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering; and Dr. Cody
Friesen, ASU Associate Professor and CEO of Zero Mass Water who
chairs the council. MaryAnn Miller, senior vice president, chief
human resources officer and corporate marketing &
communications for Avnet, Inc., and Steve Phillips, senior vice
president and chief information officer, Avnet, Inc., serve as
executive sponsors.
“As a technology entrepreneur, I know firsthand the challenges
in developing a new technology and bringing it to market,” said Dr.
Friesen. “In creating the Avnet Innovation Lab, I’ll be able to
assist the next generation of entrepreneurs with their journey and
share insights from my experiences. For example, Avnet has
supported my teams in navigating the supply chain complexities
needed to successfully bring a new energy storage technology to the
market and has begun to help us drive our next technology company
into the marketplace. Avnet will also be a tremendous resource for
entrepreneurs participating in the Avnet Innovation Lab. Together,
we will be able to provide the critical advice needed to turn their
ideas into a reality.”
Avnet has a long-standing commitment to supporting technology
development and STEM education. The company provides an endowment
to support supply chain professors at ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools
of Engineering, and W.P. Carey School of Business / Thunderbird
School of Global Management. Avnet executives also serve in various
capacities, such as on boards and as guest lecturers at the
business and engineering schools.
Applications for the next Avnet Innovation Lab are expected to
open in late summer of 2016. To learn more about the Avnet
Innovation Lab, visit: www.avnet.com/innovationlab.
Click to Tweet: .@Avnet commits $250K to partnership with @ASU
to accelerate the success of #tech entrepreneurs
http://avnet.me/55572 #AvnetInnovationLab
Follow Avnet on Twitter: @AvnetConnect with Avnet on Facebook or
LinkedIn: http://www.facebook.com/AvnetInc or
http://www.linkedin.com/company/avnetRead more about Avnet on its
blogs: http://blogging.avnet.com/
About Avnet, Inc.
From components to cloud and design to disposal, Avnet, Inc.
(NYSE:AVT) accelerates the success of customers who build, sell and
use technology globally by providing them with a comprehensive
portfolio of innovative products, services and solutions. Avnet is
a Fortune 500 company with revenues of $27.9 billion for the fiscal
year 2015. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160517006502/en/
Brodeur Partners for Avnet, Inc.Caitlin Wendt,
480-308-0283cwendt@brodeur.comorIra A. Fulton Schools of
Engineering, Arizona State UniversityTerry Grant,
480-727-4089Theresa.Grant@asu.edu
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