In this role, she will aid in the development, production and commercialization of new and improved products while fostering and stimulating small business in the state.
Kimberly Gramm is no stranger to small-business incubation. After all, that's been her primary job since joining the Texas Tech University Innovation Hub at Research Park in April 2016 – helping West Texas-based startups get off the ground.
Now, she will help small businesses on a wider scale. Today (Dec. 2), Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Gramm to the state's Product Development and Small Business Incubator (PDSBI) Board.
"It is a true honor to serve the State of Texas as a member of the State Product Development and Small Business Incubator Board," Gramm said. "I believe Texans are innovators and have a 'can do' spirit of excellence – I have the opportunity to witness this every day in West Texas. The path to commercialization is about creating real value and opportunities to benefit the citizens of our state through deep technology startup efforts. Entrepreneurs and innovators need reduced barriers and know-how to access resources that enable their small businesses to thrive. To provide my expertise to this board is humbling and rewarding and reinforces that the American dream is alive and well in Texas."
The PDSBI fund is a revolving loan program administered by the Texas Economic Development Bank within the Governor's Office of Economic Development Finance Division at the direction of the PDSBI Board. The fund's purpose is to aid in the development, production and commercialization of new or improved products and to foster and stimulate small business in the state.
Her term will last through Feb. 1, 2021.
Gramm was named the university's associate vice president of innovation and entrepreneurship earlier this fall, where she oversees the Office of Research Commercialization, the Innovation Hub and the Small Business Development Center. She also has served in various other capacities over the past 12 years regarding university new venture creation and commercialization activities to support economic growth.
She serves as a board member for the Global Laboratory for Energy Asset Management and Manufacturing and an advisory board member for the Office of Outreach & Engagement at Texas Tech. Additionally, Gramm is a member of the Association of University Research Parks, the Association of Public & Land-grant Universities, the Innovate Texas Tech Mentor Program and VentureWell, a national organization supporting science and technology innovators.
