Frequently Asked Questions:

How will Global CONNECT™ membership provide value to my organization?

Global CONNECT™ connects your organization with related resources and networks in other parts of the world. For example:

• If your organization is a business accelerator and one of your client companies is interested in entering another region somewhere else in the world, Global CONNECT™ can in many cases provide key introductions in that region. (Obviously, we can do much more than provide introductions if the region you are interested in is Southern California.)
• If yours is a public sector organization with a mandate to benchmark technology transfer and commercialization practice worldwide, Global CONNECT™ can draw on the many studies we have done of innovation systems in a variety of regions around the world.
• If you are specifically interested in the CONNECT model for high technology business acceleration, we will be pleased to present this to you in depth.
• If you are a government organization seeking a systemic connection between your region and Southern California, Global CONNECT™ will act as the local agency on the ground in San Diego to manage the process of forging this connection over time.

How much will it cost my organization to join Global CONNECT™?

Membership dues are US $1,500 per year. In return for these dues, we provide members a basic level of services including making introductions and some basic consulting. If these services become more elaborate, we will discuss a compensated engagement between your organization and Global CONNECT™.

Does Global CONNECT™ manage the other CONNECT organizations around the world?

No. Global CONNECT™ has no management role in other CONNECT organizations. All of these organizations derive their inspiration from CONNECT in San Diego, and we regard them as special members of the Global CONNECT™ family, but it is not Global CONNECT™'s mission to populate the world with other CONNECTs. What we are interested in is effective technology commercialization. We believe that CONNECT has played and continues to play a critical role in that process in San Diego, and we seek to ensure that CONNECT organizations outside San Diego embody certain core principles and quality practice. But we are also very aware that the CONNECT model always needs to be adapted to local conditions.

What is the difference between Global CONNECT™ and CONNECT?

CONNECT was founded in 1985 at UCSD. From the beginning, it was a resource for the entire San Diego region, not only for UCSD. In July 2005, CONNECT spun out of UCSD and became an independent organization. This was a reflection and recognition of the maturity of the organization, and of the San Diego innovation system. At that time, CONNECT and Global CONNECT™ leadership decided that Global CONNECT™ would remain at UCSD, but that they would continue to have a very close relationship. Global CONNECT™ Director Greg Horowitt retains a workspace at CONNECT, and Global CONNECT™ partners with CONNECT on programs and services virtually every week. CONNECT serves San Diego entrepreneurs and the San Diego innovation system. Global CONNECT™ serves clients outside San Diego, but with the view that connecting those clients is for the greater good of the San Diego region.