Inventor’s Guide

From Lab to Market

Path to Research Impact

Inventor’s Guide

Inventor’s Guide: Chart your course from lab to market

Step 1: Innovation

At Pitt, innovation is at the heart of our legacy. From groundbreaking advancements in polio vaccines and organ transplantation to cutting-edge research in quantum computing and regenerative medicine, Pitt is a leader in innovation. OIE is here to support you through the commercialization process, helping you patent your inventions, collaborate with industry partners, and launch successful startups. Begin your journey towards making a global impact today!

Read more here >

Step 3: Intellectual Property

When you submit your invention disclosure using the online form, it will be reviewed by a licensing manager for intellectual property and commercial potential. Once reviewed, the process of pursuing IP protection begins. If a patent application is deemed appropriate, a licensing manager and a patent attorney will collaborate closely with you to prepare and file a provisional patent application for University-owned inventions. Additionally, a licensing manager can assist with copyrights to protect original works of authorship. A strong partnership with your licensing manager helps ensure that your intellectual property is legally protected, paving the way for successful commercialization.

Read more here >

Step 2: Invention Disclosure

Unlock your research's potential at Pitt! Submit an invention disclosure to the Innovation Institute when you make a significant discovery. This quick, online form captures your invention's essence, advantages, and essential details. Include all contributors and funding sources. Your submission alerts our team, kickstarting the patent or copyright process and assessment of commercial potential. Remember, the invention disclosure isn't a patent application but a vital first step to pursuing IP protection. Collaborate closely with the Innovation Institute to protect your chances of securing a patent and maximizing commercial success. Access the invention disclosure form and instructions below.

Read more here >

Step 4: Commercialization Programs and Funding

The OIE supports the advancement of your translation and entrepreneurial goals through education, funding, mentoring, and networking. Our programming is designed to support you at every stage of your commercialization journey. Join the Community of Innovators to meet like-minded Pitt innovators and network with industry experts. Apply for proof-of-principle funding from Pitt.INC, validate your problem with the NSF Regional I-Corps Program, apply to the Commercialization Gap Fund to perform key technical and/or market validation studies, or apply to Pitt SPARK to perform later stage industry-defined translation milestones.

Read more here >

Choose Your Path

Start A Company

Whether you are a new academic entrepreneur or have a successful startup, the Innovation Institute can help you navigate the startup process and drive your Pitt innovation to market. Connect with us at startup@pitt.edu to unlock expert guidance, mentorship, and programming that will position your opportunity for success. Our team will work with you to define the best strategy and provide the resources you need.

Read more here >

Entrepreneurial Support

Every innovator’s journey is unique, and there are multiple entry points when pursuing a startup from concept development to securing funding. OIE support includes cohort-based programs and flexible, asynchronous learning opportunities. Whether you need help refining your idea, understanding customer needs, defining your value proposition, or preparing to secure external funding or SBIR/STTR grants, the OIE is here to guide you every step of the way. Our programs are designed to foster entrepreneurship and support the growth of new businesses, ensuring that you have the tools and mentorship needed to succeed.

Read more here >

Startup Licensing

The Innovation Institute provides comprehensive support for startup formation, helping you bring your technology to market. Your new company will work closely with a licensing manager and the New Ventures team to secure a license, enabling the advancement of product development through your company. A licensing manager will negotiate agreement terms, including patent costs, royalties, fees, equity, and development milestones while the New Ventures team will guide you through the conflict of interest process for University Licensed Start-up Companies. Explore our licensing templates.

Read more here >

Company Support

The OIE provides extensive support for University Licensed Start-up Companies at all stages of development, offering resources for business planning, market research, and securing funding. Join the Pitt Ventures Startup Academy for essential and dedicated startup training and engage with the New Ventures team for support writing SBIR/STTR grants. Tap into the OIE’s mentor community, connect with local and national investor networks, and gain insight into accelerator programs to help drive your startup’s success.

Read more here >

Find A Partner

The Office of Industry and Economic Partnerships (OIEP) within the OIE connects Pitt innovations with industry to accelerate commercialization. OIEP builds partnerships, facilitates research collaborations, and guides you in bringing your technologies to market. By linking University expertise with companies and investors, OIEP helps transform your research into real-world solutions.

Read more here >

Technology Marketing

OIEP partners with you to market your University technology to industry partners and investors. OIEP develops strategies to ensure innovations reach the market effectively, using tools such as digital campaigns, webinars, live events, and targeted outreach. By working closely with you and analyzing marketing performance, OIEP tailors marketing efforts to amplify the impact of your research and helps transform academic discoveries into real-world solutions that benefit both the University and the broader community.

Read more here >

Industry Sponsored Research

OIEP works closely with you to facilitate industry-sponsored research and accelerate the path from discovery to real-world impact. OIEP helps identify opportunities for partnership, research collaboration, and commercialization to drive technologies to the market. By aligning company needs with your expertise, OIEP helps position your innovation for successful commercialization and broader societal benefit.

Read more here >

Industry or Investor Licensing

When an industry partner, entrepreneur, or investor expresses interest in commercializing a Pitt technology, a licensing manager will facilitate the licensing process between the University and the third party. Our teams help you navigate industry and investor licensing opportunities to bring your innovations to market. By connecting technologies with the right partners and guiding the licensing process, the OIE ensures that cutting-edge Pitt research reaches real-world applications, maximizing the impact of your discovery.

Read more here >

Step 1: Innovation

At Pitt, innovation is at the heart of our legacy. From groundbreaking advancements in polio vaccines and organ transplantation to cutting-edge research in quantum computing and regenerative medicine, Pitt is a leader in innovation. OIE is here to support you through the commercialization process, helping you patent your inventions, collaborate with industry partners, and launch successful startups. Begin your journey towards making a global impact today!

Read more here >

Step 2: Invention Disclosure

Unlock your research's potential at Pitt! Submit an invention disclosure to the Innovation Institute when you make a significant discovery. This quick, online form captures your invention's essence, advantages, and essential details. Include all contributors and funding sources. Your submission alerts our team, kickstarting the patent or copyright process and assessment of commercial potential. Remember, the invention disclosure isn't a patent application but a vital first step to pursuing IP protection. Collaborate closely with the Innovation Institute to protect your chances of securing a patent and maximizing commercial success. Access the invention disclosure form and instructions below.

Read more here >

Step 3: Intellectual Property

When you submit your invention disclosure using the online form, it will be reviewed by a licensing manager for intellectual property and commercial potential. Once reviewed, the process of pursuing IP protection begins. If a patent application is deemed appropriate, a licensing manager and a patent attorney will collaborate closely with you to prepare and file a provisional patent application for University-owned inventions. Additionally, a licensing manager can assist with copyrights to protect original works of authorship. A strong partnership with your licensing manager helps ensure that your intellectual property is legally protected, paving the way for successful commercialization.

Read more here >

Step 4: Commercialization Programs and Funding

The OIE supports the advancement of your translation and entrepreneurial goals through education, funding, mentoring, and networking. Our programming is designed to support you at every stage of your commercialization journey. Join the Community of Innovators to meet like-minded Pitt innovators and network with industry experts. Apply for proof-of-principle funding from Pitt.INC, validate your problem with the NSF Regional I-Corps Program, apply to the Commercialization Gap Fund to perform key technical and/or market validation studies, or apply to Pitt SPARK to perform later stage industry-defined translation milestones.

Read more here >

Start A Company

Whether you are a new academic entrepreneur or have a successful startup, the Innovation Institute can help you navigate the startup process and drive your Pitt innovation to market. Connect with us at startup@pitt.edu to unlock expert guidance, mentorship, and programming that will position your opportunity for success. Our team will work with you to define the best strategy and provide the resources you need.

Read more here >

Entrepreneurial Support

Every innovator’s journey is unique, and there are multiple entry points when pursuing a startup from concept development to securing funding. OIE support includes cohort-based programs and flexible, asynchronous learning opportunities. Whether you need help refining your idea, understanding customer needs, defining your value proposition, or preparing to secure external funding or SBIR/STTR grants, the OIE is here to guide you every step of the way. Our programs are designed to foster entrepreneurship and support the growth of new businesses, ensuring that you have the tools and mentorship needed to succeed.

Read more here >

Startup Licensing

The Innovation Institute provides comprehensive support for startup formation, helping you bring your technology to market. Your new company will work closely with a licensing manager and the New Ventures team to secure a license, enabling the advancement of product development through your company. A licensing manager will negotiate agreement terms, including patent costs, royalties, fees, equity, and development milestones while the New Ventures team will guide you through the conflict of interest process for University Licensed Start-up Companies. Explore our licensing templates.

Read more here >

Company Support

The OIE provides extensive support for University Licensed Start-up Companies at all stages of development, offering resources for business planning, market research, and securing funding. Join the Pitt Ventures Startup Academy for essential and dedicated startup training and engage with the New Ventures team for support writing SBIR/STTR grants. Tap into the OIE’s mentor community, connect with local and national investor networks, and gain insight into accelerator programs to help drive your startup’s success.

Read more here >

Find A Partner

The Office of Industry and Economic Partnerships (OIEP) within the OIE connects Pitt innovations with industry to accelerate commercialization. OIEP builds partnerships, facilitates research collaborations, and guides you in bringing your technologies to market. By linking University expertise with companies and investors, OIEP helps transform your research into real-world solutions.

Read more here >

Technology Marketing

OIEP partners with you to market your University technology to industry partners and investors. OIEP develops strategies to ensure innovations reach the market effectively, using tools such as digital campaigns, webinars, live events, and targeted outreach. By working closely with you and analyzing marketing performance, OIEP tailors marketing efforts to amplify the impact of your research and helps transform academic discoveries into real-world solutions that benefit both the University and the broader community.

Read more here >

Industry Sponsored Research

OIEP works closely with you to facilitate industry-sponsored research and accelerate the path from discovery to real-world impact. OIEP helps identify opportunities for partnership, research collaboration, and commercialization to drive technologies to the market. By aligning company needs with your expertise, OIEP helps position your innovation for successful commercialization and broader societal benefit.

Read more here >

Industry or Investor Licensing

When an industry partner, entrepreneur, or investor expresses interest in commercializing a Pitt technology, a licensing manager will facilitate the licensing process between the University and the third party. Our teams help you navigate industry and investor licensing opportunities to bring your innovations to market. By connecting technologies with the right partners and guiding the licensing process, the OIE ensures that cutting-edge Pitt research reaches real-world applications, maximizing the impact of your discovery.

Read more here >

Two people sitting together at a table.

At the University of Pittsburgh, commercialization is the final step in transforming groundbreaking research into impactful products and services. The translation journey, while challenging, offers immense rewards for inventors, their departments, and society at large. Our innovators are dedicated to making a difference through the commercial translation of their discoveries.

For industry partners, collaborating with Pitt offers a unique opportunity to access cutting-edge research and innovation. Whether you’re new to commercialization or looking to expand your portfolio, our comprehensive guide can help you navigate the process.

Key steps in the commercialization pathway include:

Innovation
Invention Disclosure
Intellectual Property
Commercialization Programs and Funding
Start a Company
Find a Partner

Our Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship is here to support you at every stage. For guidance, advice, programming, and funding, please contact us at innovate@pitt.edu. Together, we can drive innovation forward.

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