GRIFFISS INSTITUTE
The Griffiss Institute (GI) is a nonprofit talent and technology accelerator for the United States Department of Defense and an international network of academic, government and industry partners. Since 2002, the GI has served the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate (AFRL), the Mohawk Valley region, and the United States, empowering diverse teams with talent and technology development programs that lead the nation in technical and economic impact. Devoted to converging teams and technologies to solve complex national challenges, the GI is proud to enable its international network from its home at Innovare Advancement Center in New York’s picturesque Mohawk Valley.
Matthew Mroz
Executive Vice President
As Executive Vice President, Matthew focuses on implementing corporate strategy and expanding the Griffiss Institute’s role in STEM talent and technology acceleration across the country. Matt leads and scales world-class programs that deliver talent and technology development interventions and opportunities that inspire positive change and outcomes for various US regions for the advancement of economic, technical and education development.
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Matt has over 16 years of progressive experience in technology transfer, commercialization, academic research and development, venture development, non-profit leadership, and public-private partnerships. His entrepreneurial approach and dedication to continuous business improvement in nonprofit management were prominently displayed during his tenure at The Research Foundation for The State University of New York (RF SUNY), where he served as Vice President for Industry and External Affairs and implemented organizational and programmatic changes to substantially grow SUNY’s intellectual property innovation and commercialization activity. Matthew's notable achievements include leading technology commercialization and industry engagement at SUNY, spearheading public-private partnerships that drove innovation, managing significant intellectual property portfolios, and negotiating hundreds of agreements between academic, industry, and government organizations. As managing director of SUNY’s Technology Accelerator Fund - a proof-of-concept investment fund that has invested over $3 million since its inception in 2011 and which has catalyzed a return of over $20 million – Matt facilitated early-stage development early-stage technology and grew SUNY’s startup portfolio to over 200 companies. His efforts in securing and managing grants from institutions like the NSF and U.S. EDA have played a key role in maturing early-stage technologies and startup companies.
An active leader and collaborator in technology commercialization and economic growth across New York State and the US, Matthew serves on the boards of the Central New York Biotechnology Accelerator, Downstate Biotechnology Incubator, and BioBAT and is a member of the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) and the Licensing Executives Society. He is a graduate of Stony Brook University, Albany Law School, and the University at Albany.