The approach to the university-industry relationship is evolving with the times. To examine this evolution, we are partnering with innovosource to catalog and showcase some of these models to the tech transfer and corporate relations community.
Based on feedback from industry leaders and thorough assessment of powerful forces in the evolving technology transfer and university-industry partnership landscape, innovosource has imagined eight potential futures for the industry and its potential impact on optimizing the university-industry commercialization pathway in the next 10 years.
To begin this conversation, they provided us a sneak peek at the draft of this report. While the robust scenarios cover a broad spectrum of outcomes, two (Technology to The Rescue, and A Global Approach to R&D) paint a much more mutualistic/symbiotic picture of the university-industry relationship and the mechanisms and initiatives that forge this partnership. We are already beginning to see this mentality expressed in IP and research policies and agreement structures of research institutions.
Opponents suggest that the university is giving away too much and that internal maturation of the technology and associated partner and prospect diligence may lead to a higher likelihood of commercial success (quality). Supporters argue that easier routes to agreement can forge lasting relationships what pay off through exponential future opportunities (quantity). Both are likely fueled by perspective and the tones of institutional and stakeholder leadership.
Generally speaking, three common characteristics of these new IP and research models, include:
- Favorable and transparent terms for industrial sponsored research and resulting intellectual property
- Majority of negotiation at front-end, which can speed the transition of technology to commercial application
- Some element of choice so the businesses of all sizes can align terms with interests and capabilities
In future posts, we will spotlight these models, their structures, and unique characteristics that align these programs with the future vision of a stronger partnership with industry in creating and commercializing technologies.
- Arizona Choice: University of Arizona Tech Launch
- Industry IP Agreements: Penn State University
- Transformational Partnerships: University of Manitoba
- Minnesota Innovation Partnerships: University of Minnesota
Additionally, we will be partnering on a web-workshop reviewing the University of Arizona and University of Manitoba models on February 5th, please learn more here and join us for the event.
If you program would like to be added to these spotlights and showcased in future articles or if you are a institution or stakeholder interested in these approaches, please make yourself known here.
Looking for quality candidates or seeking your next opportunity? Contact me directly, Glen Gardner at glen@vortechsgroup.com. Visit us anytime at http://vortechsgroup.com
I am interested in academic-industrial interactions – and the often difficult interactions that play out. From my experience the only relationships that really work are where there are clearly defined, and documented and signed off, mutually beneficial outcomes. This does mean that there is an enormous amount of up-front work that needs to be carried out. But then, this is true of any successful relationship.
Regards,
Geoff
PS By the way, when I try to interact with your ‘If you program would like to be added to these spotlights and showcased in future articles or if you are a institution or stakeholder interested in these approaches’ link, and specifically the section entitled ‘Which best describes my organizations current situation’ – it cuts me out………
I need the simple version of this model to introduce it in other countries internationally.
Guven-
Thanks for the note. I am going to put you in touch with my partner Jacob Johnson at http://www.innovosource.com/about/team/
Glen Gardner