Commercialization Guide Office of Innovation and Economic Development Table of Contents Overview
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Commercialization Guide Office of Innovation and Economic Development Table of Contents Overview What is commercialization? About the Office of Innovation and Economic Development (OIED) Commercialization, writ broadly, leverages university Overview 1-5 research power to solve real-world problems. When UMaine’s OIED works across disciplines and through most people think about commercialization – also strategic partnerships to leverage University of Maine IP Commercialization 6-21 commonly called technology transfer – they may think resources to help create jobs, develop workforce, and first about translating an innovation from the lab to grow Maine’s economy. Disclosing Your Invention... 6 the marketplace. While that is the classic definition Among OIED’s core missions is turning research Evaluating Commercialization Potential... 8 of the process, commercialization also can refer to Protecting Your Idea... 10 any sponsored activity on behalf of external partners. and development activities into new economic Patents... 11 At UMaine, there are several ways for researchers to opportunities for the state of Maine. Startups vs. Licensing... 17 approach the different aspects of commercialization. In all cases, the goal is to develop real-world applications We provide solutions in three overlapping service areas: Collaborating with External Partners 22-27 for university research that can solve problems and help improve lives. The Department of Industrial Cooperation Getting Started... 22 facilitates UMaine research collaborations with external Getting Organized... 24 groups, including private industry, nonprofits and Agreements... 25 Is this guide for me? foundations, communities, and government bodies, overseeing all aspects of the necessary contracts for Conclusion & Resources 27-29 We created this guide for those who conduct such work. research at the University of Maine – faculty, staff and students – and who think their research may have The Foster Center for Innovation supports researchers commercialization potential or just want to learn more and students who want to turn ideas into action, about what that means and how it works. This guide offering programs, services and courses around will walk you through everything from basic research commercialization, business development and collaborations with external partners to protecting Innovation Engineering. intellectual property related to your work to starting a business related to a discovery you make in an on- The Office of Technology Transfer guides researchers campus lab. through the process of formally licensing technology and intellectual property (IP) developed at UMaine to third parties, coordinating all facets of IP management I’m intrigued, but this sounds including market evaluations and patent and other IP complicated. Who can tell me more? protections. Commercialization at UMaine is overseen by the Office All of these groups operate under the OIED umbrella of Innovation and Economic Development (OIED). We and are coordinated by the same team of people. created this guide, and you can think of us as your Flexibility is key to our work and solutions are our commercialization concierge. We’re here to support specialty. We’re here to help – from answering your and advise you on commercialization activities related preliminary questions to guiding you through the to your research. Read on! launch of a startup, and everything in between. The University of Maine is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, E 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System). Commercialization Guide 1 Meet the team Cooperating Staff What are the benefits of What is the difference between OIED and commercialization? the Office of Research Administration? Jake Ward Rob Dumas Vice President of Innovation and Economic Food Science Innovation Coordinator Commercialization can seem daunting, especially if The group that would become OIED was established at Development 207.581.3139 | [email protected] you’ve never done it before. Translating an innovation the university in 1947 to conduct contract research for 207.581.2201 | [email protected] from the lab to the marketplace can be rewarding Maine’s manufacturing sector. OIED grew from there Matthew Hodgkin in many ways – for you as a researcher, for your to support the university’s engagement with other Renee Kelly Commercialization Program Professional & Innovation department, your students, the university, the state industries on project work, and those beginnings laid Assistant Vice President of Innovation and Economic Engineering Lecturer of Maine and society at large. Industry collaboration the groundwork for the strategic partnerships we are Development 207.581.1454 | [email protected] offers similar benefits for these same groups. skilled at forging today. 207.581.1401 | [email protected] Shane O’Neill Existing at the intersection of UMaine’s teaching, James Beaupré Forest Industry Business Development Manager research and service missions, OIED is uniquely Director of Industrial Cooperation 207.581.2812 | [email protected] Benefits for You positioned to build coalitions and manage 207.581.1435 | [email protected] collaborations between the university and external New sources of funding/sabbatical support groups. The office bridges business and academia, Chris Coplin Develop advocacy partners understanding and responding to the priorities and Fiscal and Administrative Officer Why does UMaine seek to commercialize Recognition for lab/center/department obligations of both groups. 207.581.2238 | [email protected] research? Broaden experience/inform future research Generate additional personal income The Office of Research Administration manages all Veena Dinesh Commercialization is central to UMaine’s mission as federally funded opportunities and related reporting Director of Business Incubation a land, sea and space grant institution. As the state’s Benefits for Students requirements. 207.581.1454 | [email protected] flagship research university, UMaine has a responsibility Experiential learning to serve the state through integrated teaching, Skills and connections to leverage for internships/job Christopher Fasel research, and outreach. Our faculty and students This all sounds good, but how does it placements Technology Business Development Manager contribute knowledge to issues of local, national, and Undergraduate/graduate research opportunities actually work? 207.581.1488 | [email protected] international significance, and commercialization of Sense of contribution research activity helps that knowledge have meaningful The definition of commercialization is broad, and Ashley Forbes impact in our communities. the process can work in several ways depending on Communications Manager Benefits for Maine the approach you take. Partnering with industry on 207.581.1429 | [email protected] UMaine is able to commercialize research for public Solving problems in Maine’s key sectors sponsored activity is relatively straightforward and will benefit thanks to the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980. Bayh- require less time investment from you. Often, you’ll be Karen Lidral Supports UMaine’s research and service missions Dole allows universities to assert ownership rights to trying to solve a defined problem based on industry Grant Manager and Fiscal Officer Economic development opportunities inventions made by their employees using federal funds need. The longer and more labor-intensive path 207.581.2228 | [email protected] and mandates that universities make reasonable efforts Benefits for Society at Large involves bringing a new invention to market (either to translate potential discoveries into useful products through forming a startup or licensing your invention Kathy Vinson and services via licensing of technology to the private to a company), yet this has the potential to yield more Administrative Specialist Research put into practice/use sector. societal impact and more profit over time. These paths 207.581.2201 | [email protected] Make a difference in people’s lives often intersect – partnering with industry can lead to Economic development opportunities discoveries that you may be interested in pursuing as Emma Wilson a licensing opportunity or through the formation of a Entrepreneurship Events & Marketing Coordinator startup. 207.866.2401 | [email protected] 2 Commercialization Guide Commercialization Guide 3 Option 1: IP Commercialization Option 2: Collaboration with Here are the major mile markers on the paths to (Classic Tech Transfer) External Partners research commercialization at UMaine START: INNOVATION START: ID A REAL WORLD Your UMaine research leads to a discovery PROBLEM IP Collaboration with with potential for application outside the lab You understand that your research has Commercialization External Partners real-world applications, and you’re ready to 1. Invention Disclosure explore them. You submit details about your innovation to OIED 1. Understand What You Have to Offer Step 1 Conduct some self-assessment. What are 2. Evaluation