Technology Transfer
The process of converting university research into commercial products, services, or startups. Includes patent licensing, spin-off companies, and industry partnerships.
Technology transfer (tech transfer) is the process by which universities commercialize their research discoveries through patent licensing, spin-off company creation, and industry collaboration. Most research universities maintain a Technology Transfer Office (TTO) that manages intellectual property, negotiates licensing agreements, and supports faculty entrepreneurs. The US Bayh-Dole Act (1980) allowed universities to own patents from federally funded research, catalyzing the modern tech transfer ecosystem. Leading institutions like MIT, Stanford, and Cambridge generate significant revenue and create thousands of jobs through their spin-off companies.
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