Discovery
The best time to reach out is early. During the Discovery phase, we help you think through next steps, explore funding opportunities, and create protection strategies—laying the foundation for successful commercialization. Our team works alongside you from the earliest stages to ensure your research can achieve maximum impact.
Pathfinder Program
Get Industry Insights to Inform Your Research Planning
Our Pathfinder Program connects you with crucial market intelligence early in your research process. We provide industry trend analysis to help align your work with emerging needs, maximizing both scientific impact and commercial potential while strengthening funding applications.
Disclosure
Submit an Invention Disclosure Form to the Technology Licensing Office
University researchers must disclose inventions through our quick online form. Submit details about your innovation, sponsors, and upcoming publications before any public presentations to protect your IP rights. A technology manager will guide you through next steps.
Assessment
Receive an evaluation of commercial potential and patentability
Our expert team evaluates your invention's development stage, commercial opportunity, and IP protection options. This comprehensive analysis helps you understand your innovation's potential and informs the appropriate next steps in the commercialization process.
IP Protection
Secure intellectual property rights for your innovation
We work with specialized attorneys to evaluate your innovation for patentability and commercial potential. When appropriate, we collaborate with you to prepare and file patent applications with the U.S. Patent Office and potentially international patent offices.
Available Funding:
TLO Tech Discovery MicroGrants
The MicroGrants program provides seed funding to help University of Utah researchers test innovative ideas and gather preliminary data for larger grant applications.
Explore Tech Discovery MicroGrants
De-Risk
It's not just about patents—it's about partnerships and programs. As part of the Office of the Vice President for Research, we connect you with resources that help validate market fit, attract translational funding, and build strong commercialization strategies. Together, we'll ensure your innovation moves confidently from prototype to product.
I-Corps
Transform your research discoveries into real-world impact
The NSF I-Corps program helps reduce time and risk in bringing innovations to market. Through structured customer discovery and mentorship, you'll learn to assess commercial feasibility of your research. Available programs include ZAP (introductory), BOOM (advanced), and Nationals (with $50,000 grant potential). Open to all researchers, including those outside the University of Utah.
University Incubators
Access specialized resources to accelerate your innovation
The University of Utah offers various specialized incubators and accelerators to help develop promising technologies. From the Center for Medical Innovation to the Therapeutics Accelerator Hub, Orthopedics Innovation Center, Applied Medical Engineering Laboratory, and Doman Innovation Studio, these programs provide targeted expertise, development, mentorship, and resources to transform your research into market-ready innovations.
Market Research
Identify ideal target markets for your innovation
Our team conducts comprehensive market analysis to help you understand the commercial landscape for your technology. We identify potential market segments, evaluate competition, and assess industry trends to determine the most promising opportunities and strengthen your commercialization strategy.
Available Funding:
TLO Ascender Grants
The Ascender Grant program provides substantial funding to help University of Utah researchers bridge the critical gap between research discoveries and market-ready innovations.
SBIR/STTR Grants
SBIR/STTR Programs offer vital grants for small businesses, fueling high-risk research to transform lab breakthroughs into impactful commercial products. While these grants are highly competitive, our team can support faculty as they apply for funding.
Go-to-Market
This is where your work takes on new life beyond the lab. Whether through licensing partnerships or launching a startup, we help transform promising technologies into real-world solutions. Our experienced team guides you through strategic partnerships, funding pathways, and growth opportunities to maximize impact.
Industry Licensing Path
License your technology to established companies.
Market Inventions
The Technology Licensing Office works with researchers to determine when an invention is ready to be licensed, either to a startup or an existing company.
License
The Technology Licensing Office will work to negotiate a license as efficiently as possible.
Products & Services
Once a license is executed, the Technology Licensing Office works to support relationships with licensees to optimize commercial impact.
Royalty & Investment Income
The Technology Licensing Office distributes royalty and investment income to inventors, per university policy.
Startup Formation Path
Create a new company around your innovation.
Company Formation
We guide you through legal entity establishment, governance structure, and strategic planning to build a solid foundation for your startup.
Founding Team
Our offices connect you with experienced entrepreneurs, industry experts, and business leaders to build a balanced team with the right skills to drive your venture forward.
Startup License
We negotiate favorable licensing terms tailored to early-stage companies, helping you acquire the necessary IP rights while preserving capital for growth.
Funding Pathway
We help you navigate available funding options, from university programs to SBIR/STTR grants, angel investors, and venture capital, while preparing compelling materials to secure investment.
Available Funding:
Explore startup funding options.
Your Role as an Innovator
Your partnership is essential to transforming discoveries into real-world impact. Here's how you can help drive success:
- Connect early - Reach out to TLO when you first identify commercial potential in your research
- Protect your innovation - Submit invention disclosures at least 30 days before publication or public presentation
- Maintain confidentiality - Keep discussions about your technology within the University community until proper protections are in place
- Be a responsive partner - While we handle the complex processes, your timely input ensures smooth progress
- Share your network - Provide contacts who might benefit from or invest in your technology
- Stay engaged - Keep us informed about publications, presentations, and industry interactions
Why Commercialize Your Technology
Every inventor has unique motivations. Potential reasons may include:
- Create societal impact - Transform your research into solutions that improve lives
- Advance your career - Gain recognition as an innovator and thought leader
- Secure additional funding - Commercialization success often leads to new research grants and lab resources
- Build industry connections - Develop relationships with companies in your field
- Enhance student opportunities - Provide real-world experience and potential career paths for your students
- Generate personal rewards - Benefit financially from your innovations while maintaining your academic focus
- Fulfill grant obligations - Meet technology transfer requirements from federal and industry sponsors
Ready to Get Started?
