Purdue@WestGate Lands Director

A partnership involving Purdue University, the Purdue Research Foundation, the WestGate Authority and Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division has its leader. Jason Salstrom will serve as director of the Purdue@WestGate initiative, which aims to increase tech transfer and startup creation.

The initiative was announced in June. In his new role, Salstrom, who previously led technology commercialization initiatives at the University of Southern Indiana, will direct all programs and activities of the Purdue Foundry and Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization at WestGate, according to the university. 

"Jason brings a wealth of experience and connections to this important position and we are delighted to have him lead the Purdue@WestGate," said Greg Deason, senior vice president of Purdue Research Foundation. “The opportunities for tech transfer, startup creation and economic growth are great through the research and development activities at Crane and across Southern Indiana. We all look forward to what the next few months will bring with Jason at the helm."

Purdue says Salstrom will establish new programming at WestGate, including a monthly networking event call the Spirited Entrepreneur and a weekly event called Foundry Grounds, during which "startup founders present their companies before peers and potential partners." In a news release, Salstrom says the entrepreneurial and startup programs coming to the area "will provide a tremendous impetus for Southern Indiana today and for generations to come."

Salstrom previously served as a defense contractor for the U.S. Navy.