Center For Technology Licensing

Ignite Connect 2024 Bridges Innovators with Investors and Industry Experts for Real-World Impact  

On January 31st, the Center for Technology Licensing (CTL) at Cornell University hosted the first “Ignite Connect 2024: Accelerating Impact” virtual event, which presented the latest technologies, new ventures, and recent startups arising from the Cornell labs and recipients of Ignite gap funding awards. The conference convened more than 150 investors, entrepreneurs, industry partners, and Cornell alums, among others, interested in forging long-lasting partnerships. This gathering serves as a testament to Cornell’s collective support in technology development and new venture development and startup growth. The event was structured into three distinct sections:

A general forum highlighted the impact of past successful Ignite recipients;
Pitch sessions across five unique tracks provided a platform for funded projects, their progress, and requirements to achieve key milestones;
A networking segment aimed to foster connections between Ignite recipients and attendees, over 65% of whom were alumni, industry experts and investors.

“Today, we gather to forge new connections between these promising opportunities with a community as vibrant and diverse as our endeavors,” said Alice Li, executive director of CTL, during her welcome address. “A community of passionate investors, visionary entrepreneurs, collaborative industry partners, and our dedicated Cornell alumni reflected on the progress we’ve made.” 

Li emphasized the importance of the program to bridge the gap and increase innovation. She expressed gratitude towards the committee members and technology advisors for their time, dedication, and expertise. These individuals, comprising industry and investment experts, played a pivotal role in reviewing, advising, and selecting the numerous applicants for the program series. “Your contributions are the backbone of our success, and I extend my deepest appreciation for your unwavering support,” Li concluded. 

The forum transitioned to the opening remarks by Krystyn Van Vliet, Ph.D., VP for Research and Innovation at Cornell. “CTL is part of a larger team that’s extremely passionate about helping our students, staff, and faculty take their ideas, innovations, and ventures to impact,” she said. “And it takes so much more than a village to be able to do that.” 

After a year as the leader of this ecosystem, Professor Van Vliet emphasized the importance of the gap funding and the programs that comprise the Ignite umbrella but also the importance of investing in people, their technologies, and new connections to make the most of Cornell’s focus on the Greatest Good.  

Cornell’s diverse Research & Innovation ecosystem focuses on solving the most immediate to the most complex societal problems and moving them into translation to impact the market. “That’s what innovations are about,” Van Vliet emphasized. “Whether it is a new computational technology or a new process that reduces the environmental impact on things that we all need so that it will thrive on earth.”  

Carbon to Stone’s journey to market impact 

Following Professor Van Vliet’s welcoming remarks, Peggy Koenig ‘78, chair of Executive Committee Cornell Board of Trustees and chair emeritus of ABRY Partners, took the stage. She introduced Greeshma Gadikota, Ph.D., associate professor, Croll Sesquicentennial Fellow at the College of Engineering. Gadikota is also co-founder of Cornell startup Carbon to Stone (CTS), a venture that collaborates with various industries to transform CO2 and residual materials into usable resources. The conversation centered on the company, the support provided by Cornell for her intellectual property (IP) and her new venture, and the growth plans for CTS. 

As a Cornell alum, Koenig has been a great supporter of the innovation initiatives at CTL. In fiscal year 2022, the Ignite available funding increased to $3 million thanks to financial support from the provost’s office and a $1 million gift from Koenig. Her donation has helped in awarding more lab application projects leading to insightful impact. Nearly 50% of the completed awarded Innovation Acceleration projects have led to a license agreement or a license option.

During their conversation, Dr. Gadikota shared her experience as a faculty-researcher turned innovator and entrepreneur. She emphasized the significance of CTL and the Ignite gap funding she received. “I wouldn’t be here without the support of Cornell Technology Licensing office,” she said.  

Her intellectual property journey started when she disclosed her innovation to CTL. Dr. Gadikota speaks from experience and advises having a robust dialogue with the business development team, particularly when it comes to patenting—understanding the uniqueness of a patent, crafting claims effectively, and co-creating a strategy that benefits all parties involved. On the licensing front, choosing the right approach is equally important for mutual success. 

Leveraging the resources provided by the Fellow for New Ventures program managed by CTL, Hassnain Asgar, a former postdoc from Dr. GadiKota’s lab, underwent training, de-risked the technology in the lab, and worked with Robert Scharf, incubator director at Praxis.

“Being granted this fellowship meant a substantial year-long funding boost,” she mentions.

Professor Gadikota and Asgar co-founded the company and began applying for SBIR grants. Upon graduating from the program, Asgar and the newly appointed CEO were able to operate the company. As a result, CTS secured half a million dollars through a carbon removal pre-purchase from Frontier Strike Climate. “Those are the two catalytic moments that really helped in advancing our technology,” she remarked. Moreover, the company received additional federal grants, including $256,500 from the U.S. Department of Energy in 2023.  

Despite their current success, Dr. Gadikota’s initial doubts led the team to undertake comprehensive research, engaging in numerous interviews and drafting grants to gauge market interest. These efforts paved the way for industry recognition and fruitful partnerships.  

“Balancing life between academia and entrepreneurship is challenging, but I approach it from an academic lens, with a perspective of learning,” Greeshma states. She further explains the dynamic interplay between her roles: “We might have a solution, but the question remains – how will it scale? Or, we have a scalable solution, yet we require deeper fundamental knowledge. I found that loop of knowledge creation to be particularly satisfying,” she notes, emphasizing that this cycle is a source of continuous learning.

Looking ahead, CTS’s growth plan falls in its distinctive strategy of enabling industrial decarbonization. The goal is to reduce the carbon footprint of key commodity products, integrating economic and environmental benefits across the supply chain, leveraging renewable energy, and considering emissions and materials management.

In her final remarks, Dr. Gadikota offered guidance to emerging faculty and student entrepreneurs on transforming research into marketable products. She urged them to seek the right fit with partners and customers rather than rushing into commitments. “The initial team is pivotal in determining a company’s direction and growth, underlining the significance of deliberate consideration in hiring to ensure alignment with the company’s vision and individual growth,” she concluded. 

Pitching and connecting impactful innovations across disciplines 

Furthering the event’s mission to catalyze impact, the forum branched out into five thematic breakout rooms, focusing on pitches from Ignite’s awardees from the Innovation Acceleration, Ignite Startup, and Fellow for New Ventures programs. A total of 26 presenters from an array of sectors such as Therapeutics and Vaccines, Diagnostics and Biotech Tools, MedTech and Digital Health, Materials and Energy, and High Tech and Hardware pitched their innovations or companies to potential funders and investors.   

As the event concluded, attendees had the opportunity to network, connect, and nurture potential collaborations and partnerships. This segment led to 15 connections which will hopefully lead to meaningful outcomes.

CTL’s Business Development & Licensing team, the Bioventure elab at Weill Cornell, the Praxis Center for Venture Development, and the Cornell Tech Runway program held virtual booths garnering attendees’ interest while sharing the various support from the Cornell Innovation Ecosystem fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Cornell community was left inspired and motivated, reflecting on the potential for greater achievements and impact through collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision from Professor Gadikota for a sustainable future. For more information about the Ignite program, visit CTL’s website here https://ctl.cornell.edu/ignite/.  

Written by: Yingzi(Catherine) Lin 

Center for Technology Licensing program continues to fund early-stage Cornell lab innovations

Cornell’s Center for Technology Licensing (CTL) has announced the Ignite Innovation Acceleration grant recipients for the Fall 2023 application cycle.

The eight projects range from advanced healthcare solutions and sustainable engineering to agriculture products and digital hiring solutions. Recipients were selected based on their potential to reach a critical inflection point towards commercialization and to positively impact society.

Each of the selected projects has received a grant of up to $50,000. CTL’s Ignite Innovation Acceleration program is designed to de-risk lab projects during a 12-month period with the goal of helping project teams generate interest in licensing and form startups or industry partnerships.

“The Ignite Innovation Acceleration program represents an initial step in de-risking early-stage translational research conducted at Cornell,” said Lynda Inséqué, director of technology and venture initiatives and engagement. “We are thrilled to have recipients spanning four colleges in this cycle. At CTL, we aim to expand our efforts to include a wider range of participation, encouraging researchers with discoveries across the Ithaca, Cornell Tech and Cornell AgriTech campuses who are engaging with our office for the first time. We continue to support innovators with the goal of cultivating and growing Cornell’s thriving innovation ecosystem.”

Get the news from The Chronicle here.

The Big Reveal with Alice Li

Get to know Alice Li, PhD, Executive Director of the Center for Technology Licensing at Cornell University and an AUTM Board Member. In AUTM’s Big Reveal section in the March 2024 Newsletter, she talks about what prompted her to leave a startup for a new career in academic tech transfer, which woman innovators have inspired her and how the COVID pandemic gave her a deeper appreciation for her hometown. Read more here.

Mastering the Art of the Pitch: Insights from CTL’s New Venture Series

On February 15th, the Center for Technology Licensing at Cornell University hosted the ‘CTL New Venture Series: Pitching 101: How to Present Your Startups and Technology Innovation to Potential Funders.’ The event was an insightful session aimed at educating Cornell researchers and entrepreneurs on how to effectively pitch their startups and technological innovations to potential investors. Lynda Inséqué, the Director of Technology and Venture Initiatives & Engagement, welcomed presenter Kirsten Leute, a partner at Osage University Partners with 19 years of experience in university relations and technology transfer.

Kirsten opened her presentation with a key insight, “Pitching is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It’s crucial to consider your audience when crafting your pitch.”

She navigated through the various funding stages for startups, from government grants to venture capital, underscoring the significant equity often exchanged for venture funding. Leute articulated the importance of a clear, concise, and compelling pitch, highlighting the imperative for founders to effectively communicate their background, the intrinsic value of their technology, the market potential, and specific funding needs. She counseled the audience to tailor their pitches to align with the goals and interests of investors, suggesting that a customized pitch greatly enhances the likelihood of securing funding.

As the event progressed, Leute delved into the diverse stages of startup funding, charting the trajectory from initial seed funding—commonly sourced from grants or angel investors—to substantial venture capital investments. She observed that while venture capital can inject considerable funds and offer valuable networks, it also often requires ceding a portion of equity and potentially some level of company control.

Leute also illuminated the essential elements of the pitch itself, including the clarity of the business model, the scalability of the technology, the scope of the market, and the competitive context. She emphasized the need for founders to delineate their business’s unique selling proposition and distinctiveness in the saturated startup milieu.

Highlighting the critical role of due diligence, both in comprehending one’s audience and in readying the startup for the intense scrutiny of the fundraising journey, Leute’s expertise was evident as she instructed the participants on navigating the intricate domain of intellectual property—a cornerstone for many technology-driven ventures.

The ‘CTL New Venture Series: Pitching 101’ event concluded with an open forum for questions, allowing participants to seek personalized advice on their pitching strategies. Leute’s insights provided a roadmap for entrepreneurs to refine their pitches and maximize their chances of success in the competitive world of startup funding.

In the Q&A, Kirsten addressed various queries, offering insight on topics such as avoiding particular phrases, processing feedback, and the intricacies of discussing valuations with venture capitalists. She stressed the significance of being candid about the makeup of the startup team and the necessity of anticipating multiple engagements with investors.

The event provided a thorough guide to the nuances of pitching, enriched with actionable insights and advice from seasoned professionals. Participants departed with an enhanced capability to present their startups and innovations to potential investors with greater efficacy. Visit CTL’s YouTube channel to watch the full event.

On March 18, join us in person at the Cornell Tech campus for a New Ventures Series Panel titled ‘Data Rights & Commercialization Strategies in AI Innovation.” A curated group of panelists, experts in AI innovation and commercialization, will delve into the intricacies of data rights. Register here.

By Catherine Yingzi Lin, writing intern at CTL

From Academia to Industry: Navigating the Path of Research Tool Commercialization

The “From Rats to Reagents” webinar, hosted by the Centre for Technology Licensing at Weill Cornell Medicine (CTL@WCM), delved into the complexities of commercializing research tools developed in academia. Experts from diverse fields discussed intellectual property’s role, the intricacies of quality control, and the transition from academic research to commercial ventures.

Iris Bica, a Business Development and Licensing Associate at CTL@WCM, introduces a panel of distinguished speakers.

She stresses that, “Research tools, whether it be cell lines, mouse models, reagents, probes, or organoids are regularly generated in the course of research. While many of these are primarily used for academic purposes, some of these have the potential to be commercialized for use by other researchers, companies, or even spun into new ventures or start-ups to offer these tools as a service.” Iris introduces the panel as, “A great opportunity to talk about some of the ways which we can commercialize these tangible materials as well as some of the pitfalls and challenges to watch out for in order to fully leverage these opportunities.”

The panel includes Karen Wu, President and Co-founder of Lucerna, Inc., Jamie Hoberg, Head of External Invasion Licensing at Millipore Sigma, Chuck Na, Manager of Innovation at ATCC, and Peter Wells, Contracts & Licensing Manager at The Jackson Laboratory.

Together, they explore the nuances of transitioning academic research tools into commercial successes, addressing key considerations in intellectual property, quality assurance, and market engagement.

Karen Wu, representing Lucerna, shares her journey from academic research to founding a startup. She discusses the development of the Spinach technology at Weill Cornell and how it led to the creation of Lucerna, which specializes in RNA imaging products and assay development.

Jamie Hoberg from Millipore Sigma speaks on evaluating the commercial potential of academic materials. He highlights the importance of publications in assessing whether to license a research tool and how his company works with academic institutions to identify new technology opportunities.

Chuck Na from ATCC delves into the complexities of ownership and freedom to operate in tech transfer. He discusses how ATCC, a global biorepository, navigates the intellectual property landscape to make research tools broadly available while addressing the challenges of licensing and distribution. In addition, Chuck highlighted the positive ripple effect of sharing research tools and knowledge, emphasizing, “So I really do think that the tangible benefit of royalties also results in the intangible benefit of knowledge spillover. Your materials can then go down into future publications, future discoveries that are going to benefit the world.”

Peter Wells from The Jackson Laboratory addresses the commercial use of mouse models and the licensing processes involved. He discusses the operational and contractual aspects of managing a vast repository of mouse models and their implications for commercial licensing.

The webinar stresses the importance of a cooperative strategy involving intellectual property, quality control, and the partnership between academic institutions and commercial entities. This collaborative effort is essential to successfully navigate the complex journey from research innovation to a viable commercial product.

For anyone looking to bridge the gap between academic research and the commercial market, “From Rats to Reagents” is an indispensable resource. This Weill Cornell Medicine webinar provides a treasure trove of insights on intellectual property, quality control, and collaboration in the commercialization process. The expert panelists illuminate the path from lab bench to market success. To gain knowledge from leading specialists in the field and to be inspired by their innovative journeys, access the webinar recording and embrace the opportunity to transform research into impact.

Watch the complete discussion here

Author: Catherine Yingzi Lin

Aspiring Women Inventors Still Stalled by University Patriarchy

This article underscores the challenges and progress in women’s representation in patent-holding, a field where they have been historically underrepresented. It particularly highlights the efforts of Cornell’s Center for Technology Licensing in enhancing women’s participation in innovation. These efforts include initiatives to increase female engagement in technology innovation and commercialization, reflecting a broader commitment to diversity and empowerment in the STEM fields.

Here’s an excerpt from the article:

Women inventors made up just 13% of US patent holders in 2019, according to an October 2022 report by the USPTO.

Yang Yang, a Ph.D. candidate at Cornell University, is one of them. She met her adviser as a student while pursuing a master’s degree in architecture. Her adviser was researching urban mobility systems, which led Yang to pursue her doctorate.

“My adviser is relatively young. I was his second Ph.D. [student],” Yang, 31, said. “At the time that I joined the lab, I was the only woman.”

There are now two women among the four doctoral candidates at Cornell’s environmental systems lab. Yang will receive new funding as part of the Ignite Fellow for New Ventures program after she graduates. She filed her first provisional patent application in 2022 as a requirement for the upcoming postdoctoral fellowship.

Central to her success is Cornell’s Center for Technology Licensing, the university’s technology-transfer office, which focuses on commercialization and partnerships geared toward helping inventors profit from their creations.

Cornell determined only 23% of its inventors who submitted invention disclosure forms between 2009 and 2017 were women, according to the university’s website.

Alice Li, executive director of the Center for Technology Licensing at Cornell, said the university launched the Women’s Innovators Initiative in 2020 to introduce women faculty, staff, and students to technology innovation and commercialization. The initiative has a mentorship program, workshops, and awards that highlight women inventors. The center is now working to expand its outreach and resources to other historically disadvantaged groups, she said

“It takes an overall village. Many people want to help but not everyone realizes exactly what the gap is and how to help,” Li said, who envisions support programs that start earlier in Ph.D. training to build foundations toward inventorship. “You want to help in a way that’s productive and inclusive and make real changes in a way that really benefits.”

Click here for a detailed read.

Three new apple rootstocks bolster Geneva’s distinguished program

Cornell AgriTech’s Geneva Apple Rootstock Program, under the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), has made a significant global impact on apple cultivation. The program introduces three innovative rootstocks – Geneva 257, Geneva 484, and Geneva 66 – each tailored to specific growing conditions and resistant to diseases like fire blight.

Geneva 257 is ideal for high-density orchards and larger fruits, Geneva 484 enhances productivity and yield, and Geneva 66 suits cider-apple growers. These rootstocks, developed over 40 years and licensed through the Center for Technology Licensing at Cornell, are part of Cornell’s commitment to addressing future challenges in apple cultivation, including climate change and water salinity.

“CTL has licensed past apple rootstock releases to domestic and international nursery partners for over the last 30 years and will continue licensing these three newest varieties for commercial uptake,” said Albert Tsui, the Associate Director of Licensing – Plant Varieties at CTL.

Click here to read the full article.

Embarking on Innovation Exploration: Meet the New Cohort of CTL’s 2023 Practicum Program

The Center for Technology Licensing (CTL) at Cornell University is delighted to announce the commencement of its Practicum program for the 2023 cohort. The CTL Practicum is a valuable opportunity for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in STEM and MBA disciplines at Cornell to immerse themselves in the practical aspects of commercializing university-based research and explore alternative paths for careers around innovation. The program aims to provide hands-on experience in innovation assessment, commercialization strategy, patenting, and licensing agreements. Successful participants will contribute meaningfully to CTL’s mission, gaining valuable skills and broadening their career options while supporting Cornell’s innovation and venture initiatives.

“From the online application to the interview process, new practicants were selected based on their strong interest in technology transfer, innovation, and entrepreneurship,” expresses Kris Valentine Behnke, the Innovation Outreach Manager at CTL. “Taking on projects aligned with their scientific expertise but also expanding their bank of technical knowledge, the practicants collaborate closely with business development and licensing teams, promoting and marketing cutting-edge Cornell technologies to potential licensees.”

Meet the new cohort who recently embarked on a journey exposing them to Cornell innovation, learning of intellectual property and the basics of licensing, and meaningful contributions.

Jiaqi Zou, a Ph.D. student under Dr. Aydemir Lab at the Division of Nutritional Sciences. Jiaqi is a food enthusiast who enjoys cooking, reading, traveling with friends, and exploring new places to eat outside of work. “Jiaqi’s experience in chemistry and chemical biology gives her a good foundation to work with many of the technologies that come through our office. She’s working with me to market a new diagnostic for tuberculosis,” expresses Marie Donnelly, a Business Development and Licensing Associate at CTL.

Katerina Roth, a Ph.D. Candidate in Dr. Abby Snyder’s Lab at the Department of Food Science. Katerina finds joy in horseback riding, mushroom foraging, and spending time with her two dogs. She also dedicates her time to outreach within her department, field, and community. “Food Science is a very applied field, and CTL gets a lot of inventions from that department. We’ve been fortunate to work with some really talented Practicants from Food Science in the past, and Katerina is no different,” Marie says as she works closely with Katerina. “She already has experience in science communication, which is a key skill we are all working to develop in this program.”

Eric Wang, an MBA student at Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and the president of the Johnson Running Club, enjoys long-distance running, reading, and playing musical instruments such as the violin and piano. “Eric already has entrepreneurial experience in the healthcare industry, so he brings a great perspective to inventions in that field,” Marie notes. “He’s also willing to stretch himself and is currently working with me to develop materials for a biomining technology.”

Mark Yde, a Master’s student in Systems Engineering. This winter, you can find Mark taking a cold-plunge in Seneca Lake, flying a single-propeller Cessna out of Ithaca Airport, or tending to his baby Mulberry trees as they battle the cold. Iris Bica, a Business Development & Licensing Associate at CTL @ WCM who worked with Mark in the past, expresses, “Mark is able to leverage his experience in investing and systems engineering to work on projects from a variety of subject areas. He has a keen eye for identifying the key aspects of new technologies and has worked with me to develop marketing materials for a complex computational method for improving biomedical imaging.”

Jeremiah James, a Ph.D. candidate in Dr. Rong Yang’s lab in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department. Outside of the lab, Jeremiah likes to study Mandarin and Hanzi; it enables him to connect with others, and, in his words, “it’s just cool.” He also enjoys learning about real estate and is working on building a portfolio of properties in Ithaca to develop his company, Adaptive Rentals. Lastly, He loves entrepreneurship, mentoring, chess, exploring, and chatting with friends. “Jeremiah’s background in biomedical engineering and entrepreneurship lends itself well to exploring technologies in molecular and biomedical engineering,” Iris notes. “Jeremiah has great science communication skills and has worked with me to generate marketing materials for a next-generation medical device for craniosynostosis.”

Abigail Nason, a Ph.D. student under Dr. Jin Suntivich in the Materials Science and Engineering Department. Abigail finds pleasure in cycling along the rolling hills of Ithaca during the summer and loves spending time at the Lindseth Climbing Center during the winter. Abigail is working with Maxim Shabrov, a Business Development and Licensing Associate at CTL, on technologies in a variety of fields, including textile recycling and moisture management, digital privacy, wearables, and medical devices. Abigail is interested in learning about how emerging technologies are accessed for commercial potential, as well as about specifics of intellectual property protection. Abby’s role is to conduct market due diligence and customer research and identify and engage with potential commercialization partners. “She is very proactive and enjoys thinking broadly about potential market applications for a given technology,” expresses Maxim.

Tian Tang, a Ph.D. candidate advised by Prof. Lynden Archer at the Department of Materials and Science Engineering. Tian spends her spare time enjoying travel and exploring new restaurants, particularly those offering spicy cuisine.

Nicole Maurici is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Dr. Brian Crane’s group at the Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis, cooking, and painting outside of research.

Maggie Elpers, a Ph.D. candidate under Dr. Jan Lammerding at the Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering. Maggie enjoys spending time outdoors running or hiking, attending concerts, and traveling.

Nicole, Maggie, and Tian have worked with Sarah Ward, a Business Development and Licensing Associate at CTL, who shares that, “Nicole and Maggie prepared marketing materials for (I) patient-specific spinal implants and (II) new degradable plastics, respectively. They and Tian will continue to work with each BDLA on a wide variety of technologies for different types of projects, including tech briefs, prior art searches, and slide decks.”

From a diverse array of academic disciplines, colleges, and personal interests, these individuals share an eagerness to contribute meaningfully to the support of Cornell’s innovation. Their journey either within academia or outside academia promises to be one of exploration, innovation, and meaningful contributions to both CTL’s mission and Cornell’s legacy of groundbreaking research and technological advancements.

Visit the CTL Practicum website for more information about this program.

Unlock the Secrets of Tech Transfer at Cornell University’s IP Series

Cornell University, a renowned hub for innovation, is on a mission to protect and leverage intellectual property, igniting the transformation of emerging technologies into tangible breakthroughs. On September 27, 2023, the Center for Technology Licensing (CTL) at Cornell University hosted its first IP series for Fiscal Year 2024, a compelling conversation with experts and directors revealing the essential intricacies of the Tech Transfer Process.

Dr. Lisa Placanica, Senior Managing Director at CTL@WCM, provided the why behind Cornell’s commitment to tech transfer and commercialization. She explained that the university’s policy of owning intellectual property developed by faculty, trainees, and staff aims to benefit the public by translating research, attracting talent, expanding research opportunities, and fortifying industry connections. The best part? There is no financial risk for those who collaborate with CTL, as the university covers all associated costs.

So, what does the technology commercialization process entail?

Research and Ideation: This is where the journey begins, with the generation of innovative ideas and research.

Disclosure: Early communication with CTL is crucial. When you believe you have a potentially protectable and valuable innovation, reach out to CTL as soon as possible. They will assess the innovation’s potential and determine if further development is needed.

Evaluation: CTL examines the submitted innovation and engages in discussions with the innovator. This marks the start of a feedback loop where they consider both protecting the intellectual property (IP) and planning for its marketing, licensing, or other commercialization strategies.

Protecting IP: CTL assists in making decisions about how to protect intellectual property, considering various options and approaches to safeguarding it.

Commercialization: CTL explores different avenues for commercializing the technology, which may include licensing, startups, or other strategies.

But that is not all—William Pegg, Director of Intellectual Property (IP) at CTL, delved into the world of patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Patents, he explained, offer temporary monopolies in exchange for public disclosure, safeguarding the seed of innovation. Copyrights protect original works, while trademarks serve as beacons of product origin.

Martin Teschl, the lead at CTL’s Physical Sciences business development and licensing team, emphasized the pivotal role of inventors in the entire process. It is not just about innovation but also active involvement in creating commercial opportunities. Networking, outreach, and marketing materials like tech briefs play crucial roles in turning these innovations into tangible successes.

If you are eager to uncover the secrets behind technology commercialization, this event is a must-watch. Cornell University’s IP Series unlocks the doors to innovation, IP protection, and transformative breakthroughs. Do not miss out on the opportunity to learn and get inspired by the experts who are driving innovation at one of the world’s leading academic institutions.

Watch the recording here.

Author: Catherine Yingzi Lin

Tips for Strengthening Innovation Ecosystems and Technology Transfer

In a guest post on Pantently-O, Alice Li, Executive Director at the Center for Technology Licensing (CTL) at Cornell University and an AUTM Board Member, discusses that the crucial role of technology transfer in fostering innovation and commercialization is underscored. The article, part of the Diversity Pilots Initiative (DPI), initiated by AUTM, aims to promote inclusive innovation through meticulous research.

Alice also focuses on AUTM’s commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) through its strategic approach. This includes the establishment of an EDI Committee to integrate diversity into every aspect of technology transfer, from education and promotion to professional networks. She urges universities, institutions, and technology transfer professionals to actively engage in AUTM’s initiatives, such as incorporating Innovator EDI Data into metrics for innovation, participating in demographic surveys, and joining mentoring programs.

Finally, she highlights the Ignite gap funding series managed by CTL, designed to support early-stage technologies with substantial commercial potential, emphasizing the importance of reaching out to diverse candidates to foster a more inclusive innovation ecosystem. The collective efforts of all stakeholders are deemed crucial in building a robust technology transfer system and promoting diversity in invention.