Licensing Technology from Universities (feat. Brian Coblitz)

In this episode, Krish Palaniappan speaks with Brian Coblitz, the executive director of the George Washington University Technology Commercialization Office. They discuss the intricacies of licensing technology from universities, the importance of building long-term relationships, and the challenges startups face when engaging with academic institutions. Brian shares insights on how to navigate the technology transfer process, the significance of understanding university research, and the collaborative opportunities available for startups.

Krish Palaniappan and Brian Coblitz delve into the intricacies of partnerships between startups and universities, focusing on the expectations of domain expertise, monetization strategies, revenue sharing models, and the importance of patent costs. They discuss the value proposition for startups in engaging with universities, emphasizing the innovative potential of university research and the critical role of product-market fit in successful technology transfer.

Brian Coblitz discusses the intricacies of navigating patent filings, the dynamics of startup-university collaborations, and the importance of intellectual property in the startup ecosystem. He emphasizes the role of universities in fostering innovation and the various resources available for entrepreneurs. The discussion also highlights the significance of building relationships with local universities and the passion required for success in entrepreneurship. Brian shares insights on events, funding opportunities, and the global landscape of technology transfer, encouraging startups to engage with research institutions to drive their ideas forward.

Takeaways

• Licensing technology is akin to renting an idea.
• Universities excel in basic research but not in product development.
• Building long-term relationships is crucial in technology licensing.
• Startups should reach out to university technology transfer offices for collaboration.
• There is no centralized database for available technologies to license.
• Understanding the right contacts in universities is essential for startups.
• Sponsored research can follow after a licensing agreement is made.
• The patent life is typically 20 years, necessitating long-term partnerships.
• Conversations with university offices can lead to valuable insights and opportunities.
• The process of technology transfer involves both protecting and marketing innovations.
• Domain expertise is crucial for partners in university collaborations.
• Startups are generally expected to fund the development process.
• Revenue sharing can include fees, royalties, and equity.
• Patent costs can be significant and need to be reimbursed early.
• Universities provide innovative research that can lead to viable products.
• Partnerships can help startups raise funding by leveraging university credibility.
• Product-market fit is essential for successful technology transfer.
• Universities often share revenue with inventors, incentivizing innovation.
• Startups must be prepared for the financial commitments involved.
• Engaging with universities can provide access to valuable resources and networks.
• Countries influence the cost of patent filings significantly.
• Startups often begin with an option to license.
• Universities prioritize building technologies over immediate monetization.
• Engagement with universities can lead to valuable partnerships.
• Events and resources are available for entrepreneurs to connect with researchers.
• Building local relationships with universities can be beneficial.
• Passion is a key ingredient for success in entrepreneurship.
• Technology transfer processes are similar globally.
• Startups should express their passion when seeking partnerships.
• Networking with tech transfer professionals is crucial for innovation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Technology Licensing
07:56 Understanding Licensing Technology from Universities
15:45 Navigating University Partnerships
22:40 Bridging the Gap Between Research and Industry
29:12 Understanding Domain Expertise in Partnerships
32:00 Monetization Strategies in University Partnerships
35:49 Revenue Sharing: Fees, Royalties, and Equity
39:55 Navigating Patent Costs and Reimbursements
45:26 The Value Proposition for Startups in University Collaborations
56:17 The Role of Product-Market Fit in Technology Transfer
01:00:41 Navigating International Patent Filings
01:02:08 Understanding Startup-University Collaborations
01:03:32 The Role of Intellectual Property in Startups
01:05:29 University Goals: Building vs. Monetizing
01:07:05 Engaging with Universities for Innovation
01:09:57 Events and Resources for Entrepreneurs
01:12:36 Building Relationships with Local Universities
01:16:47 The Importance of Passion in Entrepreneurship
01:21:03 Global Perspectives on Technology Transfer

Podcast

Check out the transcript here.

Summary

1. AUTM as a Resource

• Introduction: Brian introduces AUTM (the Association of University Technology Managers) as a valuable resource for learning about technology transfer and accessing success stories.
• Purpose of AUTM: AUTM focuses on training, knowledge exchange, and showcasing research commercialization projects via resources like the Better World Project.

2. University-Industry Partnerships

• Roles and Contributions: Krish and Brian discuss the complementary roles of universities (research) and industry partners (product development, marketing, and sales) in successful collaborations.

3. The Role of AUTM in Partnerships

• Clarification by Brian: AUTM does not facilitate individual partnerships but rather provides a platform for training, networking, and best practices exchange.
• Better World Project: Brian elaborates on AUTM’s Better World Project, which showcases successful research-based products, providing inspiration and ideas for prospective partners.

4. Finding University Research to License

• Challenge: Krish raises the issue of accessing information on available university research for licensing, noting the absence of a centralized database.
• Solution by Brian: Brian suggests reaching out directly to university technology transfer or commercialization offices and lists typical titles (licensing manager, business development officer) to look for when contacting university representatives.

5. Making Initial Contact

• General Advice: Brian emphasizes the importance of direct engagement, recommending emails to general office contacts, which ensure inquiries are directed to the right person.

6. Reflections on Entrepreneurship and Networking

• Krish’s Perspective: Krish shares the challenges entrepreneurs face in reaching out and engaging the right people, drawing from his experience and observations at startup events.
• Advice for Startups: Krish discusses the value of persistence and clarity in identifying meaningful ideas, emphasizing that establishing partnerships and sales require effort and the right connections.

7. Tech Transfer Process

• Tech Transfer Focus: Universities, through offices like tech transfer, typically have a product idea or a proof of concept when engaging with partners.
• Role of Research: The research is protected and marketed to potential entrepreneurs or businesses who can utilize it in the marketplace.
• Collaborative Research: Sponsored research projects allow companies to fund additional foundational research at universities.

8. Domain Expertise of the Partner

• Licensing Trend: Universities often license technologies to startups or small companies, which are willing to take on more risk than larger companies.
• Partner’s Skills: Ideally, the partner should have domain expertise, fundraising ability, and experience with similar developmental processes, especially given the differing requirements across industries like software and medical devices.

9. Funding and Monetization Structure

• Partner’s Financial Responsibility: Typically, the partner funds the development of the product. Universities may offer “gap funds” to further validate technology but do not generally fund full product development.
• Three Essentials for Startups: Technology (provided by the university), people, and money (expected from the partner).
• Revenue Sharing: Once the product is monetized, the partnership often includes a revenue or profit-sharing agreement to reflect the university’s contribution.

10. Timeline and Return on Investment (ROI)

• Development Timeline: Discusses the time commitment required to bring research to market.
• Revenue Split: Specifies the terms of profit and revenue sharing once the partner successfully commercializes the product.

Brian Coblitz

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