Association of University Research Parks Moves Headquarters to UA Tech Park

The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a professional association of university-related research, science and tech parks and innovation districts, has relocated its headquarters to the University of Arizona (UA) Tech Park in Tucson, Arizona, one of the nation’s premier research parks.

AURP has long-stated the value of university-research parks in their community as well as their impact across the nation. Moving AURP headquarters is a tactical move which symbolizes this importance. Dan Duncan, AURP President and Nebraska Innovation Campus Executive Director, Brian Darmody, AURP CEO, and Carol Stewart, Associate Vice President for Tech Parks Arizona, signed an innovative agreement capitalizing on their combined synergy and strengths, providing mutually-beneficial resources from each organization. Businesses that locate at the UA Tech Park are provided with a full array of support services and turn-key first-class office space. AURP also has direct connections with stakeholders from 200+ top level university-research parks leaders. Additionally, Tech Parks Arizona is being offered recognition and the benefits of an AURP Diamond Level annual corporate partner in exchange.

This move is a tangible example of AURP supporting its mission of fostering innovation, commercialization and economic growth in a global economy through university, industry and government partnerships.

AURP’s relocation is part of a larger strategic plan to utilize its operational outposts to align with key stakeholders and expand upon its mission of building communities of innovation. This move comes on the heels of AURP’s recent establishment a second headquarters location in the Washington DC area. AURP CEO Brian Darmody established HQ2 at the UMD Discovery District in Washington DC in order to expand outreach with government agencies, research universities, community colleges, federal labs, and corporations to increase interest and build research parks and innovation districts nationwide.

“As an organization that serves over 700 research, science and tech parks and innovation districts worldwide, we look forward to many firsthand experiences within UA Tech Park and having the opportunity to better embody what it means to be part of a research ecosystem,” said Brian Darmody, AURP CEO. “With my experience, I have seen first-hand the direct benefits derived from innovative partnerships with research parks. Collaborating with AURP has already created new synergistic energy spurring us to think beyond traditional activities. This partnership will produce unique benefits that are yet to be realized and have a ripple effect world-wide,” said Carol Stewart, Associate Vice President for Tech Parks Arizona.

About Tech Parks Arizona
Tech Parks Arizona creates the “Interactive Ground” that generates, attracts and retains technology companies and talent in alignment with the research, mission and goals of the University of Arizona (UA). Tech Parks Arizona directs the UA Tech Park, the UA Tech Park at The Bridges and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation, placing the highest priority on recruiting companies desiring connectivity to the University of Arizona.

About the Association of University Research Parks (AURP)
AURP is a professional membership driven association of institution anchored research parks and innovation districts. AURP’s membership includes planned and operating communities of innovation, 70% which are home to incubators and accelerators. AURP represents the leadership of these technology developments, which are designed to promote research institute-industry relations, to foster innovation, and to facilitate the transfer of technology from such institutions to the private sector.