New paper takes the position that the traditional tech transfer model has become obsolete
It would require a departure from traditional TTO metrics, such as licensing revenue and patent numbers.
Tim Faley is Vice Chancellor of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Commercialization at the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
In a recently published paper titled “Transforming TTOs: Filling the Existing Technology Commercialization Void,” he argues that the traditional “patent and license” model, wherein Technology Transfer Organizations (TTOs) facilitated the licensing of university-developed intellectual property (IP) to established corporations, has become increasingly obsolete.
Faley identifies a “product-development void,” a consequence of corporations pivoting towards acquiring market-validated start-ups rather than licensing raw IP. Faley argues for TTOs to adopt a “business building” model, actively nurturing start-ups from their inception, providing mentorship, and facilitating access to early-stage funding. He emphasizes that this transition requires a departure from traditional TTO metrics, such as licensing revenue and patent numbers, which he deems inadequate for assessing the success of a start-up-driven ecosystem.
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