Christian Slough joined UNM Rainforest Innovations (UNMRI) as an Innovation Intern during his last semester at The University of New Mexico, where he was completing his Master of Business Administration. As an Innovation Intern, he conducted in-depth prior art searches and market analyses and identified potential commercial partners for local technology startups. Additionally, he drafted non-confidential summaries to position university technologies for external licensing and partnerships.
Working for UNM Rainforest Innovations opened his eyes to the world of technology transfer and statewide economic development, where he started to envision a career path.
“The internship showed me that a career in technology and innovation is feasible," said Slough. "Before spending time with technology entrepreneurs, the words ‘start-up’ or ‘innovation’ felt outside of my skill set…UNMRI showed me that my skills in business development and market research apply anywhere. The fundamentals of understanding an ecosystem, the stakeholders, and how companies are positioned in a market are valuable across any industry.”
Former UNM Rainforest Innovations intern Christian Slough added, “The team at UNMRI was extremely supportive in teaching me what questions to ask about a technology, introducing me to entrepreneurs in the NM start-up ecosystem, and giving all the interns time to attend workshops on tech transfer and pitch competitions. I can definitely say it changed the course of my life.”
After graduating with his MBA and finishing his internship at UNMRI, Slough had plans to serve in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic with his partner. However, unforeseen circumstances soon diverted their plans as the COVID-19 pandemic quickly swept across the world in spring 2020. Instead, he chose to serve his local community by spending a year at the Mayor’s Civil Engagement Office in Albuquerque as an AmeriCorps VISTA where he helped grow and align their volunteer ecosystem.
“At the same time, I was pursuing a venture with my partner that we started during the Spring 2020 semester for a medical device start-up. After winning the 2020 Spring CTSC Health Hack-A-Thon, we enrolled in the UNMRI Accelerator Program where I was introduced to a wonderful mentor (Stu Rose)," said Slough. "The Accelerator Program exposed me to Build With Robots (BWR) where I ultimately ended up after my one-year service ended with AmeriCorps. I spent three years at BWR as a Business Development Intern, eventually progressing to Business Development Manager. I recently transitioned to my role as Entrepreneurship Coordinator at the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Office of Strategy, Science, and Technology.”
The New Mexico EDD’s Office of Strategy, Science, and Technology (OSST) was created to connect New Mexico’s innovation infrastructure to the commercial market. They also incorporate wider strategic initiatives including entrepreneurship support and federal funding opportunities to encourage technology-based industries in New Mexico.
As the new entrepreneurship coordinator for OSST, Slough has various duties related to supporting entrepreneurs within New Mexico's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“I am still getting started here but I am responsible for supporting entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses to help them launch and scale," said Slough. "The type of support ranges from providing technical support; strengthening policies and programs that support entrepreneurship; partnering with research institutions and universities; identifying federal grant opportunities; and more. The goal of my role is to amplify the entrepreneurial work we have going on here in New Mexico—to diversify our economy and generate more opportunities for New Mexicans.”
When asked what he was most proud of in his career so far, he responded: “The proudest moment I’ve had in my career is twofold: Proving to myself that a career in technology is not just for engineers or Ph.D.s from places like Yale or Harvard," said Slough."This is a serious stigma New Mexico faces in our workforce pipeline."
Slough emphasized sharing his career pathway: “I have spoken with students from K-12 to graduate classes across New Mexico about what UNMRI is doing here. I take pride is sharing that I grew up with parents who started a successful paintless dent repair business—that I went to public school—and that I'm born-and-raised New Mexican."
UNMRI expressed pride over Slough's accomplishments wishing him success as Entrepreneurship Coordinator at NM EDD’s Office of Strategy Science & Technology.
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