University research spurs new jobs

SOFTWARE PRODUCT called Propane(TM) that was hatched in a university incubator for high-tech start-ups has led to the anticipated creation of 100 new broadband-communications development jobs in Georgia during the next five years. The three founders of Digital Furnace, developers of the software,

credit Georgia Tech and the Georgia Research Alliance for providing resources and a setting that helped the company quickly commercialize its basic research. In fact, in just 18 months Digital Furnace went from a three-person company to one with more than 35 employees. The fledgling company utilized the resources of Georgia Tech's Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), which provides office space, phone and computer systems, and access to researchers as well as to a network of attorneys and other service providers. Digital Furnace was recently sold to Broadcom Corp. in a stock trade valued at more than $136 million; Broadcom is planning to create the 100 new jobs.