Each invention disclosure is evaluated for its commercialization potential -- whether the invention has the potential to fill a market need -- and identifying opportunities and challenges. The commercialization potential is based on the strength of intellectual property (IP), the invention’s stage of development and the estimated time and resources needed to market it. A summary of the data is provided to the university’s patent board, composed of faculty, inventors, technology commercialization professionals and legal advisors, to determine if the university should invest in patenting the technology. The board members recommend whether to file for IP protection or not. The final decision is made by the board’s chair, the vice president for research.
Kent State Researchers
How Does Technology Commercialization Work?
The Office of Technology Commercialization assists in protecting, marketing and licensing university inventions with commercialization potential. Questions? Contact Albert Green, agreen2_gst@kent.edu.
Kent State University employs a market-centered approach to technology transfer. It starts when a researcher submits an invention disclosure to the Office of Technology Commercialization by completing an invention disclosure form (be certain you download the fillable PDF and read the Instructions to ensure the form is completed properly). We work closely with the inventor at each step of the process to support the activities related to commercialization, either through licensing the technology to an existing company or by creating a start-up company. Though not every invention may be ready for commercialization, we assist researchers in obtaining external funding to validate the technology in order to determine its commercial viability.
On March 1, 2017, Kent State staff led a webinar to explain some of the finer points of commercialization. That video is now available.
Learn more about the technology commercialization process by clicking the links below.