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Clemson spin-off celebrates milestone
Tetramer Technology, LLC, a Clemson University spin-off company
is celebrating its fifth anniversary - a milestone that is significant
in today’s global marketplace.
“Five years is about twice the average longevity for a small
start-up company,” observes Earl Wagener, Tetramer’s
CEO. “The short lifetime of most small companies today is
due to the tremendous amount of global competition, and the fact
that it takes from four to seven years to get a product to market.
We’re doing well, but every day is a challenge, and success
is never assured. ”
Tetramer is one of 13 spin-offs –– a company that licenses
university technology –– created around Clemson University
during the past 10 years. University spin-offs take academic research
and further it along to industry through testing and marketing.
As a land-grant university, Clemson has a mission to help grow jobs
in South Carolina. Spin-off companies, like Tetramer, are an important
part of that mission. The goal is to keep South Carolina technology
students in the state after graduation.
Tetramer is the brainchild of Clemson faculty Dennis Smith, John
Ballato, and Steve Foulger.
“We started this company with the idea of getting research
to industry and to the public on a faster track. Traditional publishing
is very important, but being a part of a spin-off company provides
another dimension that is very exciting and expands the definition
of faculty service to the state and knowledge-based economy,”
said Smith, a professor of chemistry at Clemson.
Tetramer’s strength is advanced polymeric materials, which
are being developed for large United States markets. One test under
way is a process to turn corn into biodegradable plastic components
that will help lower oil imports while reducing pollution. Another
is making cost-effective, polymer fuel cell membranes for cars.
Started in 2001 with $6,000 in revenue and one employee, today the
company employees 11 –– mostly Clemson graduates ––
and will have just under $1 million in revenue this year.
Tetramer principles include (from
left) founders Dennis Smith, Steve Foulger, and John Ballato (far
right). CEO Earl Wagener (second from right) earned his B.S. (1964)
and Ph.D. (1967) degrees in organic chemistry from Clemson.
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