Outreach
Harbert College of Business accounting junior Sophia Aulisio wins first place at Auburn's Tiger Cage Pitch Competition.
RFID LAB Justin Patten, Executive Director The RFID Laboratory leads pioneering work in RFID technology and collaborates with major partners across a range of innovative initiatives. The lab supports the Los Alamos National Laboratory on virtualization-grade RFID solutions. Auburn students deploy UHF tags and chamber-based testing to enable 100% inventory tracking of nuclear materials (even within radiation‑shielding glove
boxes) which reduces exposure and boosts safety. Working with Walmart, Lowe’s, Dick’s, and Nordstrom Auburn supports the ARC benchmarking program, helping develop new RFID specifications (e.g., Spec R, Y2). These specs address tag performance for apparel, home goods, and sporting items. These collaborations aim to enhance inventory accuracy, reduce shrink and improve supply‑chain visibility.
NEW VENTURE ACCELERATOR Lou Bifano, Director The NVA established the Auburn University KickStart Fund, a designated fund within the Auburn University Foundation, that will provide direct, non-dilutive grants to select student and faculty startup businesses exhibiting the greatest potential for success. Kickstart will be supported through philanthropic donations, public and private sector grants and corporate partnerships such as the grant recently received from Truist Foundation. The Fund will operate under the governance and oversight of the Harbert College and the NVA. An independent investment committee will make the Fund’s grant award decisions, and a dedicated fund manager will lead the day-to-day operations. Designed to bridge the gap between new business formation and initial seed funding, the Kickstart Fund along with increased coaching and mentoring will accelerate successful business creation across the Auburn entrepreneurial ecosystem. To date, Auburn startups have raised more than $110M in investment capital.
John Furner, Walmart U.S. president and CEO, presents the keynote talk at the Auburn RFID Lab annual conference.
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