Office of Innovation and Industry Engagement
Technology Commercialization and Implementation Process
Approximate Timeline
Stage 2:
Stage 1:
2-6 weeks
1-3 weeks
Stage 3:
Stage 4:
Stage 5:
Stage 6:
Stage 7:
2-6 weeks
3-12 months
Months – Years
Months - Years
Ongoing
ASSESSMENT PHASE
Yes
Yes
Stage 1: Preliminary
Assessment – Value
Proposition
A.
B.
C.
Identifiable distinct
elements of the
technology?
Definable competitive
advantage?
Addressable market
opportunity?
No
Next Steps
Meet with disclosers to
identify A or B.
Continue laboratory
research.
Conduct market
research to resolve C.
IMPLEMENTATION PHASE
Stage 2: Proprietary
Assessment
A.
B.
C.
Statutory requirements
patentability (novelty,
non-obviousness,
enablement, and written
description)?
Commercially relevant
claims available?
Other proprietary
strategies available?
No
Next Steps
Continued research
toward follow on
discoveries that
present opportunities
for proprietary
protection through
appropriate means.
Stage 3: Market
Opportunity Assessment
A.
B.
C.
Clear product-market fit (value
proposition connected to
distinct customer segments)?
Addressable barriers to
commercial entry (e.g.
distribution, regulatory,
changeover)?
Addressable technology risk?
Stage 5:
Proprietary
Protection &
Planning
Stage 4:
Commercialization
Strategy and plan
development
•
Yes
•
Pre-commercial,
milestone based
development plan for
technical and business
de-risking.
Engagement of early
stage funding sources
for University-based
milestone
accomplishment.
•
Cultivate partners
IIE to coordinate
activities (e.g. setting
up calls, marketing
materials)
Inventors to support
discussions and followup activities
Decision making
regarding appropriate
proprietary strategies.
IIE negotiates terms
with commercial
partner
• Follow through on
proprietary protection
strategies (e.g.
know-how/trade
secret protection,
copyright, trademark,
patent filing, other)
•
•
•
Collection of
necessary
experimental data
Detailed assessment
of prior art
Patent filing (if
appropriate)
Alternate proprietary
strategies developed
and implemented
Stage 6:
Commercialization
Plan
Implementation
•
Commercial milestonebased development
plan for technical and
business de-risking.
Recruitment of funding
for commercial
technical and business
de-risking.
•
Stage 7: License
•
•
•
Negotiating license
terms
Building strategic
partner
relationships
Follow-on
milestones
No
Next Steps
Continued research towards
strengthening value
proposition/competitive
advantage or to overcoming
technology risk
Continued analysis of market
segments to overcome entry
barriers.
•
•
•
•
•
Business Plan
Execution
Business Model
development
Negotiation of term
sheet for
commercial
implementation
through license or
startup
License Revenue and
follow on
development