The foundation for our innovation economy is centered on the work of our two major research universities, the University of Montana and Montana State University. These institutions invest close to $200 million annually in research while also maintaining strong partnerships with industry.
In the past several years MSU alone has spun off some 30 companies, produced more than 190 active technology licenses and generated one of the largest laser/optics industry cluster in the nation. UM also has its share of spin off companies and the focus in Missoula is on the life sciences, where the Skaggs School of Pharmacy has consistently ranked highly nationally, and where NIH Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in the neurosciences has led to some exciting opportunities.
