UT Arlington opens California office to match UTA technologies with investors, businesses

The University of Texas at Arlington announces a new partnership with a longtime Silicon Valley entrepreneur and alumna who will establish a strategic outpost to match technology developed within the University with investors and corporate partners.

Gloria Maceiko,['82) who earned her undergraduate degree in industrial engineering, will lead the effort. As part of the partnership, Maceiko has facilitated an agreement between GrandCanal Solutions, a supply chain optimization company, and the UT Arlington Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering. The company and UT Arlington researchers will focus on supply chain science and resolving industrial engineering issues within the complexity of today's outsourced supply-chain environments.

Ron Elsenbaumer, UT Arlington provost and vice president for academic affairs, helped negotiate the agreements and said they represent an evolution in the University's technology commercialization efforts.

"UT Arlington faculty, students and research teams add daily to the University's catalogue of technology and innovation," Elsenbaumer said. "These Silicon Valley initiatives will amplify our efforts to more quickly match University technologies with the businesses and entrepreneurs who can benefit most."

Maceiko also serves as chief executive officer and chairman of DirectNu Energy, a renewable energy systems business that uses advanced technology to store and manage wind, solar and electric energy.

GrandCanal Solutions uses innovative algorithms and data to help companies solve complex, supply-chain problems, and streamline logistics and supply-chain networks.

Chief Executive Officer Brian Bauer said his company's partnership with UT Arlington faculty and their teams "brings an immense range of deep intellectual capital to our product development team."

"The collaboration will enhance the development of analytical tools in data science and big data, which are at the foundation of our products," he said.

Paul Componation, chair of UT Arlington's Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering Department, said: "This agreement brings together thought leaders in software and education in a common effort to help companies build a smarter distribution, a greener transportation footprint and forge a logistics and supply-chain strategy."

Maceiko will serve as a UT Arlington consultant and set up monthly meetings with potential partners for the University's technology, processes and inventions.

"Paving the way for UT Arlington students, professors and innovators to have the same opportunities as I have been privileged to enjoy, is a dream in mentorship and an honor to give back," Maceiko said. "Helping mold innovation and new technologies into successful companies is an amazing experience."

Provided by University of Texas at Arlington