International Business Exec Simon Nynens to Lead NJIT's Incubation and Commercialization Efforts

Written by: Deric Raymond
Published: Thursday, August 30, 2018
PRESS RELEASE
Contact Information: Media Relations, mediarelations@njit.edu or 973-642-7042

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), one of the nation's leading public polytechnic universities, is proud to announce that Simon Nynens will join NJIT on Sept. 4, 2018, as Vice President of Business Incubation and Executive Director of Commercialization. Within the fast-evolving commercial ecosystem of the greater New York City and New Jersey metro region, Nynens will be charged with developing and expanding a suite of programs that spur innovation commercialization services and entrepreneurship in the U.S. and globally.

Nynens brings decades of international senior management experience to NJIT and has a proven track record of building strong company cultures and managing growth. Prior to NJIT, Nynens spent 12 years as Chairman, President and CEO of Wayside Technology Group, a leading value-added IT Technology provider. During his tenure there, revenue increased from $180 million to $450 million. Wayside Technology Group is well known for its award-winning culture, growth and community service. Under Nynens' leadership, it was recognized by NJ Best Places to Work five times and earned numerous other growth and culture awards. Nynens is a graduate of Tilburg University in the Netherlands, completed the Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program and is a regular guest lecturer and keynote speaker on leadership and motivation.  Nynens served as the chair of the New Jersey Technology Council, 2007-15, remains an active member, and is a member of the New Jersey chapter of the Young Presidents Organization and served as its chair. He was named the 2011 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in New Jersey for Technology Services and is a founder and co-owner of FC Monmouth, a semi-professional soccer club. Nynens is committed to community service and has done so in our Newark community.

“We are extremely fortunate to attract someone of Simon’s business experience, commitment and leadership talent to this very important role at NJIT,” said NJIT President Joel S. Bloom. “Economic development is a key component of our university mission, and we continue to build multiple partnerships with industry. Simon will now provide the vision and leadership for our commercialization efforts as well as our Enterprise Development Center (EDC), which is the oldest and largest tech incubator in New Jersey. He will work closely with the EDC companies, our New Jersey Innovation Institute, and our research centers to build the synergies for accelerated entrepreneurship and commercialization.”

Nynens adds, "I'm truly excited to join NJIT as it embarks on the next stage of growth and investment. I am honored and look forward to leading the commercialization efforts of NJIT, including the Enterprise Development Center. NJIT truly has a unique opportunity to accelerate and help companies grow faster and smarter, and I am excited to join a very strong team under the great leadership of Dr. Bloom. NJIT has the resources, experience, and expertise to truly make an impact. I could not be more pleased to join this prestigious institution."


 

One of only 35 polytechnic universities in the United States, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is a top-tier research university that catalyzes economic growth and prepares students to become leaders in the technology-dependent economy of the 21st century. NJIT is one of only 131 universities rated an “R1” research university by the Carnegie Classification®, which indicates the highest level of research activity. NJIT conducts more than $155 million in research activity each year and has a $2.8 billion annual economic impact on the State of New Jersey. Ranked No. 1 nationally by Forbes for the upward economic mobility of its lowest-income students, NJIT also is ranked in the top 2% of colleges and universities nationally for the mid-career earnings of graduates, according to PayScale.com. NJIT is ranked No. 39 nationally by The Princeton Review as a Best Value College and is rated third in New Jersey and among the top 100 colleges and universities nationwide by the QS World University Ranking® 2021.