Universities as a Small Business Technology Partner (Making Technology Happen)Dr Brian MergelasPresident and CEOThe Pressure Pipe Inspection Company

OutlineLife before PPICWhat do we do? History of collaboration (Queens University)Observations

Life Before PPIC

Pipetronix XHRNeed a willing partner

PPICs Impact on the Water Sector

PPIC Services10th anniversary50 Employees in Mississauga, Phoenix, Dallas, Atlanta

ReservoirSurface WaterWater TreatmentWell FieldPPIC

RFTC Inspection of PCCP

Strategic Pipeline MonitoringVarious Sensor TypesDetects active deterioration (PCCP)Third Party DamagePossibly leaks

HIGH RISK areas

History of Technology Partnership between Queens and PPIC Industry Identified ProblemStart Up of PPICFunding of Research CollaborationResearch Projects

Start UpQueens/ Atherton (right of first refusal)PatentEquity PositionLicenses agreement (Atherton; Queens)

Funding of ResearchNSERC (Strategic/ CRD)AWWARFPrecarn; SDTCIn kind Support (PPIC and Partners)

In general its about leverageWe dont have the money our clients do

CollaborationEquipment; personnelTransfer of people to PPICEngineering Thesis topicsReal World ProblemsScholarshipPapers

Research ProjectsQueensFinite Element AnalysisCoupled Circuit AnalysisTechnology limitationsElectrolytic SimulationsPPICData AnalysisPipe Specific ConsiderationsUncertainty/ AccuracyInstrumentation and Delivery Systems

Myths about Technology Transfer

There is a big difference between a good idea and a businessSalesMarketingOperations ProductionDistribution/DeliveryHuman ResourcesFinance

The Innovation Chain

Choices for a University ProfessorResearch for research sakeWork with industry partner to research interesting real world problemsStart a business to commercialize idea(s) big slice of a small piePartner to see some rewards for innovation small slice of a big pie

My Thoughts on Technology TransferMostly peopleEmployeesAdvisoryExchangesStartups (intimate) vs licenses (less so)Real World Problems vs. Fundamental Research

Other Examples of Technology Transfer in ActionRyersonPenn StateUniversity of AlbertaUniversity of TorontoWaterloo (CATT)University of Arlington

Summary Observations

Theres a big difference between and clever idea and a businessWe dont have the money, our clients doTechnology transfer is mostly about people NOT technologyWin-win-win means the professor benefits; the university benefits and the company benefits

Thank You