Biotechnology CEO offers advice to potential entrepreneurs

(Sept. 20, 2002)--Matt Winkler, CEO and founder of Ambion: The RNA Company, spoke to UTSA faculty and guests Wednesday in the Biosciences Building Tom Loeffler Seminar Room on the 1604 Campus. The former zoologist at UT Austin said that while he enjoyed teaching and research, he is at heart a frustrated inventor.

While on campus, Winkler built a thriving business producing biological reagents, but decided in 1989 to start his own company. First year revenues were only $1,900, and Winkler described the early difficulties he experienced making the transition from academician to successful entrepreneur.

After researching the marketplace, Winkler discovered that the best product he could offer to the scientific community was an RNA (ribonucleic acid) kit that contained everything scientists needed for a price of $250.

After that slow start, Ambion has grown steadily to become one of the most successful biotechnology firms in Texas. The company has experienced more than 30 percent growth every year, and current annual revenues are more than $25 million.

Winkler shared his experiences with the group and warned about some of the pitfalls involved in starting a new business. He advised taking into consideration the great time requirements of a new business. He also encouraged entrepreneurs to be familiar with the patent and licensing laws in the Unites States and Europe, due to different time limits regarding full disclosure of documents to competing businesses.

The seminar closed with College of Sciences Dean William Scouten expressing his support for the seminars, which focus on encouraging good relations between industry and UTSA. Future seminars will feature an attorney who helped establish local computer security firms, a chemical industry technology acquisition and education leader, and an authority on government programs that support technology innovation.

----------------------------------------------------------

TODAY'S HEADLINES:

UTSA Lyric Theatre to present 'Das Barbecu'
Speaking of... transboundary politics, curanderismo, civil war
U.S. News ranks engineering college #46 in the nation
UTSA TechConnect Project hosts second-year celebration
UTSA to hold educator's job fair and career fair
UTSA ID = free admission to San Antonio Museum of Art
Biotechnology CEO offers advice to potential entrepreneurs

UTSA Today Front Page

----------------------------------------------------------