About Us — Mission
The Venture Development Center (VDC) was created in 2005, to accelerate collaborative research, development and innovation at UMass Boston. Opening in fall 2008, the vision to build a flexible, state-of-the-art meeting, office and lab facility that could serve as UMass Boston’s focal point is becoming a reality. Collaborations begun in the VDC graduate into other space on or off campus.
The VDC serves as the business portal for corporate sponsored research at UMass Boston and manages the university's commercial ventures and intellectual property program.
The VDC is led by the assistant vice provost for research and executive director in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research. The assistant vice provost for research and executive director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and the assistant to the chancellor for economic development also further support and work closely with the VDC.