UM Start-Ups

The formation of new companies is another means by which the OTT attempts to transfer the university’s intellectual property for the benefit of the public. Start-up companies are considered an alternate path for commercialization of embryonic technologies, which often require significant private capital investment for development into a commercial product. Read on to learn more about the University of Montana’s start-up companies, as well as their commercialization efforts.

Sunburst Sensors specializes in the development and manufacture of patent pending autonomous chemical sensors for ocean and freshwater research. Their CO2 and pH sensors are in high demand for studies focused on the marine carbon cycle and ocean acidification. Co-owned by MIT-trained mechanical engineer Jim Beck, the company's blend of science and engineering is leading to exciting new products for a wide range of autonomous sensing applications. Sunburst was formed in 1999 by Dr. Mike DeGrandpre, a professor in The University of Montana’s Department of Chemistry.