Technology Transfer

The first step in the inventive process is the initial idea. Inspiration may start the process, but inventions typically need further development, regardless of how complete the idea seems at first.

Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to develop and document their ideas and discoveries in order to transform those innovations into technologies that will ultimately improve the human condition!

UToledo continues to make great progress in transferring novel ideas and technologies to the marketplace. A central theme of The University of Toledo’s strategic plan includes translating these inventions to commercial products or services in order to contribute to the revitalization and economic development of the entire region.

In order to ensure Technology Transfer provides UToledo faculty, staff and students with the best service, we are committed to:

1. Supporting The University of Toledo’s mission to improve the human condition;
2. Providing accessible, responsive, competent and professional patenting and licensing services to faculty, staff, and students;
3. Serving as an efficient and effective conduit to license promising UToledo technologies to industry which promotes their entry into the commercial marketplace while:
   • Attracting and retaining the highest quality faculty and students
   • Increasing and expanding UToledo's research enterprise
   • Creating and reinforcing commercial relationships
   • Generating institutional acclaim and recognition
   • Providing an additional revenue stream
4. Encouraging local economic development by licensing locally to start-up companies, by supporting faculty start-up activities, and favoring licenses to those companies; 
5. Operating as a resource for information about patents and licensing, and promoting recognition that such matters have become meaningful and valuable aspects of academic life and education; and
6. Facilitating greater integration and increased sponsored research activity between academia and industry to improve the flow of innovative university technologies to the public marketplace.

Technology transfer is the process of transferring discoveries or innovations derived from University research into products and services that will ultimately improve the human condition! 

The identification of a novel technology is only the beginning of the commercialization process. Commercialization may entail further development, regulatory approvals, sales and marketing support, training and other activities. 

The University’s licensing process is designed to transfer commercial benefit to industry while providing a reasonable financial return to the University to recoup research expenditures and provide incentive for continued research.

While most agreements contain simple, standardized components, we are always willing to work with you to provide specific modifications to suit your needs and reach a mutually beneficial agreement.