Inventor’s Guide

From Lab to Market

Path to Research Impact

At the University of Pittsburgh, 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.

Unlock your research's potential at the University of Pittsburgh! 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

The Innovation Institute at the University of Pittsburgh offers extensive support for companies at various stages of development. This includes resources for business planning, market research, and securing funding.

The Office of Industry and Economic Partnerships (OIEP) at the University of Pittsburgh plays a pivotal role in facilitating industry-sponsored research. By bridging the gap between university innovation and the commercial world

Innovations with broad applications may be ideal for forming a new company. or, Innovations that improve existing products are often best pursued through licensing partnerships with established companies.

The Office of Industry and Economic Partnerships (OIEP) at the University of Pittsburgh serves as a dynamic connector and facilitator, bridging the gap between university innovation and the commercial world.

When you submit your invention disclosure to the Innovation Institute, it will be reviewed for commercial potential and protectability. If deemed viable, the Innovation Institute will help secure patents, copyrights, or research tool designations.

Once an invention disclosure is submitted and deemed to have commercial potential, the Innovation Institute supports the commercialization process through education programs, funding, and mentoring. Resources like the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence and the Small Business Development Center provide additional support.

Innovations with broad applications may be ideal for forming a new company. The Innovation Institute can help assess startup potential and provide resources.

The University of Pittsburgh offers robust entrepreneurial support through its Innovation Institute. This institute provides a wide range of resources to help faculty, staff, and students turn their innovative ideas into successful ventures.

The Innovation Institute at the University of Pittsburgh provides comprehensive support for startup licensing, helping innovators bring their technologies to market. The institute offers a range of resources and programs designed to assist faculty, staff, and students in navigating the licensing process.

The Innovation Institute at the University of Pittsburgh offers extensive support for companies at various stages of development. This includes resources for business planning, market research, and securing funding.

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 to the Innovation Institute, it will be reviewed for commercial potential and protectability. If viable, the Institute will help secure patents, copyrights, or research tool designations. Historically, about 55% of disclosures are approved for commercialization each year. Once reviewed, the process of filing for IP protection begins. If a patent application is deemed appropriate, a licensing professional and a patent attorney will collaborate closely with you to prepare and file the application. External patent attorneys, selected and directed by the Institute, manage the filing process and work with you to secure patent protections for University-owned inventions. Additionally, copyrights can be registered with the US Copyright Office to protect original works of authorship. This step ensures that your intellectual property is legally protected, paving the way for successful commercialization.

Read more here >

Intellectual Property Policy FAQ >

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 assessing commercial potential. Access the invention disclosure form and instructions here. Remember, the invention disclosure isn't a patent application but a vital first step. Collaborate closely with the Innovation Institute to protect your chances of securing a patent and maximizing commercial success.

Read more here >
Step 4: Commercialization Programs and Funding

Once an invention disclosure is submitted and deemed to have commercial potential, the Innovation Institute supports the commercialization process through education programs, funding, and mentoring. Resources like the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provide additional support. Key areas of focus include customer discovery, market research, business planning, and startup development. Innovations can reach the market by creating a startup or licensing the technology to existing companies. The Office of Industry & Economic Partnerships helps align technologies with potential industry partners to facilitate successful commercialization.

Choose Your Path
Start A Company

Innovations with broad applications may be ideal for forming a new company. The Innovation Institute can help assess startup potential and provide resources. Faculty, staff, and students can explore opportunities through programs like NSF I-Corps and Pitt Innovation Challenge. Key steps include validating the idea, understanding the development stage, incorporating the company, building the right team, and securing funding. The Business Model Canvas (BMC) is a useful tool for outlining business development. Forming an entity early, such as an LLC or C-Corp, establishes ownership and governance structures. Building a strong team is crucial for success.

Read more here >
Entrepreneurial Support

Pitt offers robust entrepreneurial support through its Innovation Institute. This institute provides a wide range of resources to help faculty, staff, and students turn their innovative ideas into successful ventures. Key resources include the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE), which offers consulting services, educational programs, and networking opportunities. Additionally, the SBDC provides guidance on business planning, market research, and securing funding. These programs are designed to foster entrepreneurship and support the growth of new businesses, ensuring that you have the tools and mentorship needed to succeed.

Startup Licensing

The Innovation Institute at Pitt provides comprehensive support for startup licensing, helping bring their technologies to market. The Institute offers a range of resources and programs designed to assist faculty, staff, and students in navigating the licensing process. This includes evaluating invention disclosures, protecting intellectual property, and negotiating license agreements. Key resources such as the IEE and the SBDC provide additional support in business planning, market research, and securing funding. By fostering strong relationships with industry partners and investors, the Innovation Institute ensures that startups have the guidance and resources needed to succeed, transforming academic discoveries into real-world solutions.

Company Support

The Innovation Institute at Pitt offers extensive support for companies at various stages of development. This includes resources for business planning, market research, and securing funding. The institute provides access to mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and educational workshops to help companies grow and succeed. Additionally, the Innovation Institute assists with navigating the complexities of licensing and intellectual property protection, ensuring that companies can effectively bring their innovations to market. By fostering strong relationships with industry partners and investors, the Innovation Institute helps companies maximize their potential and achieve long-term success.

Find A Partner

The Office of Industry and Economic Partnerships (OIEP) at Pitt serves as a dynamic connector and facilitator, bridging the gap between university innovation and the commercial world. Its primary role is to accelerate the transformation of faculty-developed technologies and research into real-world solutions by linking university resources—faculty expertise, cutting-edge technologies, and emerging startups—with industry partners and investors. OIEP achieves this through several key functions, including partnership building, technology commercialization, research collaboration, and opportunity matching. It cultivates relationships with companies and investors across various sectors, guides faculty and researchers in bringing their innovations to market, facilitates joint research initiatives, and aligns the needs of companies seeking research expertise or licensable technologies with the capabilities of Pitt’s innovators.

Read more here >

Technology Marketing

OIEP at Pitt plays a crucial role in marketing university technologies to industry partners and investors. OIEP employs a variety of marketing strategies to ensure that cutting-edge technologies reach the market effectively. These strategies include leveraging digital marketing channels, organizing webinars and live events, and engaging with potential partners through social media and email campaigns. By centralizing marketing efforts and analyzing performance, OIEP tailors its approach to maximize the impact of university research. This comprehensive marketing effort helps transform academic discoveries into real-world solutions, benefiting both the university and the broader community

Industry Sponsored Research

OIEP at Pitt plays a pivotal role in facilitating industry-sponsored research. By bridging the gap between university innovation and the commercial world, OIEP accelerates the transformation of faculty-developed technologies and research into real-world solutions. Through partnership building, technology commercialization, and research collaboration, OIEP ensures that cutting-edge technologies reach the market effectively. By aligning the needs of companies with the capabilities of Pitt’s innovators, OIEP facilitates successful commercialization and maximizes the impact of university research.

Industry or Investor Licensing

OIEP at Pitt plays a vital role in facilitating industry or investor licensing. By connecting university innovations with industry partners and investors, OIEP accelerates the commercialization of faculty-developed technologies and research. Through its extensive network and resources, OIEP supports you in navigating the licensing process, ensuring that cutting-edge technologies reach the market effectively. By aligning the needs of companies with the capabilities of Pitt’s innovators, OIEP maximizes the impact of university research and fosters successful commercialization. This collaborative approach helps transform academic discoveries into real-world solutions, benefiting both the university and the broader community.

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 assessing commercial potential. Access the invention disclosure form and instructions here. Remember, the invention disclosure isn't a patent application but a vital first step. Collaborate closely with the Innovation Institute to protect your chances of securing a patent and maximizing commercial success.

Read more here >
Step 3: Intellectual Property

When you submit your invention disclosure to the Innovation Institute, it will be reviewed for commercial potential and protectability. If viable, the Institute will help secure patents, copyrights, or research tool designations. Historically, about 55% of disclosures are approved for commercialization each year. Once reviewed, the process of filing for IP protection begins. If a patent application is deemed appropriate, a licensing professional and a patent attorney will collaborate closely with you to prepare and file the application. External patent attorneys, selected and directed by the Institute, manage the filing process and work with you to secure patent protections for University-owned inventions. Additionally, copyrights can be registered with the US Copyright Office to protect original works of authorship. This step ensures that your intellectual property is legally protected, paving the way for successful commercialization.

Read more here >

Intellectual Property Policy FAQ >

Step 4: Commercialization Programs and Funding

Once an invention disclosure is submitted and deemed to have commercial potential, the Innovation Institute supports the commercialization process through education programs, funding, and mentoring. Resources like the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provide additional support. Key areas of focus include customer discovery, market research, business planning, and startup development. Innovations can reach the market by creating a startup or licensing the technology to existing companies. The Office of Industry & Economic Partnerships helps align technologies with potential industry partners to facilitate successful commercialization.

Start A Company

Innovations with broad applications may be ideal for forming a new company. The Innovation Institute can help assess startup potential and provide resources. Faculty, staff, and students can explore opportunities through programs like NSF I-Corps and Pitt Innovation Challenge. Key steps include validating the idea, understanding the development stage, incorporating the company, building the right team, and securing funding. The Business Model Canvas (BMC) is a useful tool for outlining business development. Forming an entity early, such as an LLC or C-Corp, establishes ownership and governance structures. Building a strong team is crucial for success.

Read more here >
Entrepreneurial Support

Pitt offers robust entrepreneurial support through its Innovation Institute. This institute provides a wide range of resources to help faculty, staff, and students turn their innovative ideas into successful ventures. Key resources include the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE), which offers consulting services, educational programs, and networking opportunities. Additionally, the SBDC provides guidance on business planning, market research, and securing funding. These programs are designed to foster entrepreneurship and support the growth of new businesses, ensuring that you have the tools and mentorship needed to succeed.

Startup Licensing

The Innovation Institute at Pitt provides comprehensive support for startup licensing, helping bring their technologies to market. The Institute offers a range of resources and programs designed to assist faculty, staff, and students in navigating the licensing process. This includes evaluating invention disclosures, protecting intellectual property, and negotiating license agreements. Key resources such as the IEE and the SBDC provide additional support in business planning, market research, and securing funding. By fostering strong relationships with industry partners and investors, the Innovation Institute ensures that startups have the guidance and resources needed to succeed, transforming academic discoveries into real-world solutions.

Company Support

The Innovation Institute at Pitt offers extensive support for companies at various stages of development. This includes resources for business planning, market research, and securing funding. The institute provides access to mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and educational workshops to help companies grow and succeed. Additionally, the Innovation Institute assists with navigating the complexities of licensing and intellectual property protection, ensuring that companies can effectively bring their innovations to market. By fostering strong relationships with industry partners and investors, the Innovation Institute helps companies maximize their potential and achieve long-term success.

Find A Partner

The Office of Industry and Economic Partnerships (OIEP) at Pitt serves as a dynamic connector and facilitator, bridging the gap between university innovation and the commercial world. Its primary role is to accelerate the transformation of faculty-developed technologies and research into real-world solutions by linking university resources—faculty expertise, cutting-edge technologies, and emerging startups—with industry partners and investors. OIEP achieves this through several key functions, including partnership building, technology commercialization, research collaboration, and opportunity matching. It cultivates relationships with companies and investors across various sectors, guides faculty and researchers in bringing their innovations to market, facilitates joint research initiatives, and aligns the needs of companies seeking research expertise or licensable technologies with the capabilities of Pitt’s innovators.

Read more here >

Technology Marketing

OIEP at Pitt plays a crucial role in marketing university technologies to industry partners and investors. OIEP employs a variety of marketing strategies to ensure that cutting-edge technologies reach the market effectively. These strategies include leveraging digital marketing channels, organizing webinars and live events, and engaging with potential partners through social media and email campaigns. By centralizing marketing efforts and analyzing performance, OIEP tailors its approach to maximize the impact of university research. This comprehensive marketing effort helps transform academic discoveries into real-world solutions, benefiting both the university and the broader community

Industry Sponsored Research

OIEP at Pitt plays a pivotal role in facilitating industry-sponsored research. By bridging the gap between university innovation and the commercial world, OIEP accelerates the transformation of faculty-developed technologies and research into real-world solutions. Through partnership building, technology commercialization, and research collaboration, OIEP ensures that cutting-edge technologies reach the market effectively. By aligning the needs of companies with the capabilities of Pitt’s innovators, OIEP facilitates successful commercialization and maximizes the impact of university research.

Industry or Investor Licensing

OIEP at Pitt plays a vital role in facilitating industry or investor licensing. By connecting university innovations with industry partners and investors, OIEP accelerates the commercialization of faculty-developed technologies and research. Through its extensive network and resources, OIEP supports you in navigating the licensing process, ensuring that cutting-edge technologies reach the market effectively. By aligning the needs of companies with the capabilities of Pitt’s innovators, OIEP maximizes the impact of university research and fosters successful commercialization. This collaborative approach helps transform academic discoveries into real-world solutions, benefiting both the university and the broader community.

Additional Resources

Inventor's Guide Glossary
Commercial Agreements and Contracts
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 yourinn 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 – or
  • Find a Parter

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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