A Federal Technology Transfer Intermediary

Dr. Will SwearingenExecutive Director

Agenda

1) Brief Overview of TechLink

2) The Value of Technology Transfer Intermediaries such as TechLink

– The Missing Link

TechLink

• A technology transfer intermediary for both DoD and NASA at Montana State University. Established in 1996-- Directly funded by DoD and NASA

• Recognized as one of 9 “exemplary models” nationwide of federal technology transfer (U.S. Dept. of Commerce, 2003)

Key Activities

Help companies to license DoD- and NASA-developed technology

Help companies to establish CRADAs with DoD and NASA centers for joint technology development

Help companies to secure federal R&D funding (primarily via SBIR)

Program Mission

To increase DoD and NASA’s overall success in technology transfer nationally

To foster technology-led economic development in the State and region

TechLink Resources

11 technology transfer professionals with 7 support personnel

5 key consultants (legal, marketing, SBIR)

Industry expertise:-- Advanced Materials -- Aerospace-- Biomedicine and Biotech -- Electronics -- Environmental Tech -- Photonics-- Sensors -- Software and IT

TechLink Accomplishments

• Over 400 partnerships brokered between DoD or NASA centers and companies in 30 different states

• These partnerships involve 57 different DoD labs and organizations and all 10 NASA centers

Distribution of TechLink Partnerships

6

60

16

27

6

Updated Aug. 17, 2005

6

6

6

4

188 14

1

5

119

3

Totals by state of DoD, NASA, and other Federal agency partnerships that TechLink has facilitated with companies

Grand total: 410**Some partnerships involve multiple companies

1996-Present

7

4

3

1

Not shown: 4 partnerships in Alaska, 4 in Germany, 1 in British Columbia, 2 in UK, 2 in France, and 1 in New Zealand

2

2

TechLink

11

4

1

1

1

1

DoD Lab Location

NASA Center Location

Partnerships with DoD Labs and NASA Centers

Updated Aug. 17, 2005

Totals represent the number of completed TechLink-facilitated partnerships with each DoD lab and NASA center

1996-Present

Hill - 1 WPAFB - 7

Space & Missile Defense - 1 Redstone - 3

Ft Detrick - 2

NGA - 3

NAWC - 3

BMDO - 3

Army MRC - 3

CECOM - 2

NSWC - 13

ARL - 8

ARO - 6

AFOSR - 3

CRREL - 5

NUWC - 10

Edwards - 1

SPAWAR - 2

AFRL - 3

Hanscom - 1

Natick - 12

Edgewood - 2

WES - 5

ONR - 4Kirtland - 6

Dugway - 3

USMC - 2

SERDP - 2

AFRL - 23Army Aeroflight-dynamics - 2

NMRC - 4

WRAIR - 5

TechLink

DARPA - 7

NRL - 17

ERDC - 6

OSD - 2

White Sands - 1

Army TEC - 1

NAVAIR - 27

MDA - 7

NVL - 3

NMRC - 3

Kennedy - 1

Marshall - 7

Stennis - 20

JSC - 11

JPL - 9

Dryden - 1

Ames - 9

Glenn - 8

Goddard - 6

Langley - 10

NIDBR - 4

NRO - 1

TARDEC - 3

TechLink has facilitated partnerships with all 10 NASA centers and 57 DoD Labs/facilities

NFESC - 2

Nat’l Guard - 1USMC HQ - 1

AMRMC - 2TATRC - 1

NASIC - 3

CCAT - 1

DMEA - 1

NSA - 1Army HQ - 1

Cal State U OTTC - 1

SOCOM - 1Navy Norfolk - 1

DoD-Related Accomplishments

• TechLink helped to broker approximately 30% of DoD licensing agreements nationwide in FY 03 and FY 04; same results expected for FY 05

• Direct Return on investment (ROI) to DoD from TechLink technology transfer activities: 4:1

Licensing from DoD

TechLink’s Role

• Screen all DoD patents and lab-referred patent applications (~600 per year) Technology strength and readiness level Strength of patent Commercial viability Willingness of inventors to work with industry

• Select technologies for targeted licensing efforts (~75 per year)

TechLink’s Role, cont.

• Actively market selected DoD technologies

• Help companies evaluate these technologies

• Help companies prepare high-quality licensing applications and commercialization plans

• Facilitate negotiations between companies and DoD labs to achieve successful licensing agreements

Examples of Recent Licenses

• Advanced coatings for metals

• Energy bars

• Hand-held medical information system

• Rapid tuberculosis test

Unique Value of T2 Intermediaries

• Function as objective, third-party brokers:

Don’t have direct financial stake in deals

Motive is to achieve “win-win” agreements between federal labs and companies

• Facilitate communications between labs and companies

• Help solve problems that arise in negotiation, keeping deals on track

Value to Sponsoring Agencies

1) Engage in proactive, focused, and sustained marketing of labs’ technologies and capabilities

2) Pursue leads that labs don’t have the time to pursue

3) Are closer to the marketplace and can employ a technology pull approach

4) Facilitate communications with companies

5) Help companies submit high-quality applications

6) Provide an attractive ROI to agencies

Value to Companies

1) Help companies find technology solutions or new product opportunities

2) Make government “red tape” invisible

3) Help companies conduct market research to establish value of licensable technologies

4) Help companies understand lab expectations

5) Help companies develop viable license applications and commercialization plans

Summary: T2 Intermediaries

1) Provide valuable technology “matchmaking” services to both labs and companies

2) Help bring deals to completion by facilitating communications, troubleshooting, and serving as mediator

3) Achieve “win-win” agreements for both labs and companies