Key takeaways on the value of centralized technology transfer offices

SSTI’s recent webinar for its EDA-funded TBED Community of Practice work explored the emerging trend of creating centralized tech transfer offices (TTOs) serving multiple institutions. Centralized approaches are intended to more efficiently help develop and commercialize inventions from smaller or regional colleges and universities. Panelists Kayla Meisner of Kentucky Commercialization Ventures (KCV), Charles Layne of LaunchTN, and Carlos Baez from the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust highlighted the value centralized models bring to regions and the national landscape.
 

Panelists discussed the key advantages of centralized TTOs in their regions, including efficiency, economies of scale, cost-effectiveness, and enhanced service quality. They emphasized the ability to identify, evaluate, and support innovations, manage intellectual property, and negotiate licensing for institutions with limited research budgets and little experience in tech transfer. As with TTOs at the larger, better resourced R1 institutions, impacts are measured through key performance indicators such as invention disclosures, patents filed, licenses signed, and startups launched. 

Panelists noted the importance of centralized TTOs in leveraging national innovation investments from NSF, SBA, and EDA. Strong state and local partnerships are needed to fully realize these opportunities. The panel emphasized how centralized TTOs can broaden access for emerging institutions to participate in large federal programs such as Tech Hubs and outlined the risks of missing national opportunities without strong TTO infrastructure.

The recent NSF Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Economic Development (GRANTED) award to KCV supporting the development of a national centralized TTO network was cited as further evidence of the growing recognition of the value offered by centralized TTOs. The goals of the project include sharing best practices, expanding collaboration, and creating a unified voice among under-resourced institutions to strengthen the national innovation ecosystem. Panelists encouraged TTOs to join the network and collaborate across regions for greater impact.

Centralized TTOs are essential for unlocking regional innovation potential and maximizing the impact of growing national investments. Strengthening and expanding these models nationally will be critical to future economic growth.

The video recording of this webinar is here. Other TBED CoP webinars SSTI has conducted can be found in our webinar library.