The UW Center for Commercialization is committed to moving technologies arising from UW research to industry for commercialization and ultimately, for the benefit of the public. Creating startup companies around UW technologies is one way to accomplish this goal. A critical step to be taken before a startup can operate as a business is to protect UW’s intellectual property (IP), as it will be the foundation on which the new company will be based. The UW Center for Commercialization is responsible for working with the innovator to develop the most appropriate strategy for protecting and managing the IP, whether the IP is licensed to a UW-based startup or to another company. For a detailed description of the UW Center for Commercialization process, click here.
It is important to note that startups founded on University research-based innovations must contact the UW Center for Commercialization to obtain the license for the technology. To speak with a UW Center for Commercialization technology manager regarding a startup idea based on University research, click here.
Any proposed UW employee involvement with a startup must be reviewed and approved by the University. The nature of the review and approval process depends on the nature and extent of your involvement:
UW faculty and staff are required to complete and submit a Significant Financial Interest Disclosure form that is reviewed and approved by the Office of Research. The ultimate goal of this policy is to protect the integrity and credibility of activities related to research and technology transfer and to maintain public trust and confidence in the University and its employees.
Depending on your involvement with the/a startup (consultant, scientific advisory board etc.) it is important for UW faculty and staff to review the Outside Professional Work Policy to acquaint themselves with the rules and regulations surrounding this type of activity.
To catalyze the creation of new ventures based on promising UW innovations, the UW Center for Commercialization has developed the LaunchPad. When an innovator expresses an interest in starting a company based on their UW innovation and wishes to join LaunchPad, the UW Center for Commercialization reviews the case. Staff will then meet with the researcher to discuss the startup plan and how LaunchPad could be of assistance. LaunchPad should be viewed as an optional program as it is not mandatory for creating UW-based startups; however, LaunchPad can be an effective tool to help jumpstart the process.
LaunchPad can support the startup process by:
• Managing startup project plans
• Identifying next steps and milestones
• Finding community mentors and advisors
• Coaching team members
• Facilitating communication and networking with business and investment professionals
• Linking the project team to needed resources
To speak with a UW Center for Commercialization technology manager about LaunchPad, click here.
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