December 9, 2023

Technology Transfer

University Spin Game

Success is rare and slow for spinoff companies, but the potential rewards -- visibility and income - keep schools playing.

Barbara Miracle | 3/1/2008

Recent Spinoffs

Prioria team
Technology: An unmanned micro air vehicle (MAV) that uses an embedded-vision navigation system and bendable wing technology. In photo from left: Jason Grzywna, Amir Rubin and Bryan da Frota. [Photo: Jeffrey Camp]

Prioria
Gainesville (UF)

Bryan da Frota, co-founder and CEO

Jason Grzywna, co-founder and director of unmanned systems

Amir Rubin, co-founder and director of core technology

Spun off: 2003

Sales: $700,000 in 2007; $5.6 million projected for 2008

Market: U.S. military and military of U.S. allies

“We basically gave an unmanned vehicle the ability to see,” says da Frota, who runs the business side of the company while Grzywna and Rubin — both electrical engineers — oversee the technology. The product, called Maveric, is a small device that a soldier under fire could toss into the air to locate enemy fire. Maveric would communicate enemy coordinates back to other military units that could return fire.

Prioria licensed bendable wing technology from UF’s MAV Lab, led by Pete Ifju.

The company’s funding so far has been what da Frota calls “blood, sweat and tears” along with money from engineering services they’ve provided to other companies. They are looking for $3 million to $6 million in investment capital and recently presented at the Florida Venture Forum Venture Capital Conference.

Tags: Around Florida, Education

Florida Business News

Florida News Releases

Florida Trend Video Pick

Art Basel attracts artists from all over the globe. This New York artist shares his experience
Art Basel attracts artists from all over the globe. This New York artist shares his experience

Art Basel is an annual fair that serves as a platform for the best in contemporary art, attracting artists, collectors, and curators.

 

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

Ballot Box

Do you believe that home values in Florida have finally peaked?

  • Absolutely!
  • No way!
  • The jury's still out...
  • Other (Let us know in the comment section below)

See Results

Florida Trend Media Company
490 1st Ave S
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727.821.5800

© Copyright 2023 Trend Magazines Inc. All rights reserved.