What’s the best way to get federally funded technologies out of university and federal labs and into the market? This is the big question of late, and it’s generating a lot of hubbub. Regardless of the merits of all of the initiatives, directives, and legislation, I think a key aspect is being overlooked. As any technology transfer office (TTO) can tell you, not every technology emerging from federal R&D spending will be the next Honeycrisp™ apple, implantable pacemaker, or Red Hat, Inc. But some do have the potential to launch new companies, improve or expand the product/service offerings of existing companies, create jobs, or otherwise positively impact the U.S. economy and/or provide humanitarian benefits. The question is: Which technologies? And, more importantly, how do TTOs find them and commercialize them efficiently? Continue reading →
I was recently asked for my insights about technology transfer office (TTO) use of external advisory boards or committees. Such boards have been frequently cited in reports and the press as a useful tool — or even a required element — for improved tech transfer operations. The thinking is that external boards provide a means to obtain objective industry/market opinions about new technologies and/or to tap into technical expertise not available within the TTO. I am all in favor of… 
Is your new year’s resolution to better keep up with the latest in the technology transfer industry? Then consider this blog post a helping hand. And if you have opinions about these tech transfer “good reads” or fav articles/blogs of your own, share them by posting a comment below or sending me a private message. 
There’s a big difference between how research organizations and private corporations communicate and think about technology transfer. Research organizations tend to focus on how to manage and share their intellectual property (IP). Technologies are often embryonic, development moves at a deliberate pace, and the focus isn’t so much on developing a product as on developing the next innovation. For industry, IP has to serve a purpose and advance the bottom line, whether it’s creating new revenue sources, improving net profits, or moving products quickly into the marketplace. Research organizations that act proactively can… 
If you’ve read our earlier posts about market-based technology assessment, you know that Fuentek recommends this second step of technology evaluation as an essential precursor to technology transfer marketing. Assuming you are going to proceed with marketing a particular technology, how do you use the assessment’s information and analysis to begin developing the tech transfer marketing plan? The best marketing plans are those that take into account the questions listed here. It looks a little bit like the guidelines that our teachers used in writing classes. But this isn’t surprising since ultimately technology marketing is a communication effort. 
As I’ve blogged about previously, it is essential that you determine the market’s interest in a new technology before marketing it. In pursuing that information—be it through a market-based assessment like Fuentek’s or some other market research activity—one must not underestimate the value of the technology overview. Whether it’s to ensure your own understanding of the innovation or whether you use it to explain it to industry experts, a strong technology overview is paramount. Without a clear understanding of the technology, how can its market potential be understood? Fuentek has found that an effective technology overview includes… 
The impending shift from a “first to invent” to a “first inventor to file” structure under the recently passed America Invents Act is causing quite a bit of turmoil in the technology transfer industry. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has provided some explanations via FAQs and a letter from director Kappos, yet the rumblings continue. Some in the industry suggest that the appropriate response is to file quick-and-dirty provisionals on virtually everything that comes in the door. I’m sure technology transfer offices (TTOs) hear this advice. But I sincerely hope they do not heed it. 
Before you pick up the phone to gather industry opinions as you assess a technology’s commercial value, do some homework to identify the right experts to call. Who are they? Target those who are most likely to influence or have a viable interest in adopting the technology. How do you find them? Consider the value chain. In doing hundreds of assessments for our clients, Fuentek has found the value chain to be an essential tool to identify target markets and prospective licensees. Basically, the value chain is… 
We at Fuentek have run across some interesting items that I think you’ll want to read. In fact, we’ve decided to turn this occasional post into a monthly feature on our blog. Happy reading, and let us know what you think by posting a comment below or by sending us a private message via our Contact Us page. 