About Technology Development and Transfer
Enterprise Center’s Office of Technology Development and Transfer establishes partnerships with national laboratories, federal research-oriented programs, and university-based research centers in possession of intellectual property, including licenses, patents and inventions and then serves as a link between business, industry, entrepreneurs, and manufacturers who have a problem to solve or who are interested in licensing a technology or an invention for profitable purposes. The Enterprise Center refers to the process of seeking out this government-owned intellectual property as “technology mining”.
Technology Transfer is the process of developing practical applications for the results of government-oriented scientific research. Technology-based solutions derived from research, when applied to a business need, can enhance business competitiveness. The process of transferring government-owned technologies or intellectual property to the private sector for enterprise purposes is referred to as “commercialization”.
The Enterprise Center’s Matchmaker Model serves as the instrument for the process of seeking solutions and results with a typical process, described as follows:
- An exploratory meeting is conducted with the Office of Technology Development and Transfer and a business organization to conduct assessment of the business needs (problem solving using government research and development, or searching for government-owned intellectual property for commercialization).
- Preliminary research of potential solutions or technologies is conducted by the Office of Technology Development and Transfer.
- A meeting is conducted with the business organization to discuss research findings and develop issues to be explored, and pursue next steps in the process.
- A meeting with a partner agency is arranged to discuss business technology and research needs. A meeting with appropriate scientists may be conducted at the business site.
- Discussions are conducted with the business organization regarding how to pursue additional analysis, if required.
- When the solution is identified, discussions occur regarding licensing, terms and conditions, and/or services required to establish an agreement for commercialization. When discussions and negotiations are successful, written agreements are executed between the parties.
- When appropriate, the new business venture is announced in a press conference and/or other appropriate venues.
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For more information, contact:
Chris D. Daly