Developing a technology that works is a major milestone, but it is not the end of the story. What happens next can determine how far an innovation travels beyond the lab and who ultimately benefits from it. 

The Georgia Tech Research Institute, or GTRI, is Georgia Tech’s applied research organization and a University-Affiliated Research Center. Its researchers develop technologies that address specific government and industry needs, including the federal government’s long-term national security priorities. 

Some of those technologies may also have potential beyond the mission or research assignment for which they were originally developed. Through the Office of Commercialization, GTRI researchers can receive support protecting intellectual property, exploring additional applications, and identifying partners that can help move their work forward. 

Working With Technology Licensing to Explore What Comes Next 

Within the Office of Commercialization, the Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) works with GTRI researchers to identify and protect intellectual property, evaluate potential applications, and explore pathways for moving technologies into broader use. 

For GTRI researchers, the opportunity may be the potential for a technology to serve another use beyond its original research assignment. A technology developed for one mission could help solve another problem, support a new industry application, or provide the foundation for a future product. Recognizing that potential early gives researchers and OTL more time to explore what else may be possible. 

“It’s a true partnership where we bring the technology and mission context, and they bring the commercialization expertise and industry networks,” said Kenneth W. Allen, chief technology officer at GTRI. 

Researchers do not need to approach OTL with a company, market, or business plan. They also do not need to know whether licensing, a startup, or an industry partnership is the right path. Rather, the first conversation can help answer those questions. 

“Our role is to help them understand what they have, protect the intellectual property, and explore how the technology could reach the people who can use it,” said Mary Albertson, executive director of OTL. 

The timing of that conversation matters. Publishing research, presenting it publicly, or sharing details outside an appropriate agreement can affect the options available for protecting intellectual property. Connecting with OTL early allows the team to evaluate the technology before those decisions are made. 

Submitting an invention disclosure does not commit a researcher to launching a startup or following a particular path. It begins a conversation about what the researcher has created, who might benefit from it, and what steps could help move it forward. 

Extending GTRI’s Mission Through Commercialization 

Commercialization can extend GTRI’s mission by helping the research reach people and organizations that can put it to use. Some technologies transition directly to government or industry partners, while others generate intellectual property that may be licensed or developed for additional applications. 

 “GTRI’s mission is centered on creating impact. Our collaboration with the Office of Commercialization gives researchers another pathway for moving technologies from research into use while supporting the needs of our government and industry partners,” said Mike Gazarik, senior vice president and director of GTRI.  

GTRI does not manufacture products or maintain its own commercial product line. Industry partnerships are therefore essential to sustained deployment. A company may provide the manufacturing capacity, market access, or infrastructure needed to develop, produce, or deploy a technology at scale. 

“As we execute research and development and generate engineering products and intellectual property, we work closely with our government sponsors to identify transition opportunities into industry,” Allen said. 

When licensing is the right path, OTL can help protect intellectual property, structure an agreement, and support the transition to an industry partner. Sometimes that partner is already involved in the research. Other times, OTL introduces the technology to companies that may see potential beyond its original purpose. 

GTRI and the Office of Commercialization are working to strengthen that connection by identifying intellectual property earlier and making more technologies visible to industry. 

“We have developed an impressive portfolio of technologies that can accelerate industry innovation,” Allen said. “We need to make sure that portfolio is visible and accessible.” 

For GTRI researchers, the first step is asking whether a technology could solve another problem or help someone beyond its original mission. That question could be the beginning of its path from research to real-world impact. 

Learn more or submit an invention disclosure.