Tech Transfer Articles

In this podcast episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director David Brown and patent attorney Adam Stevens explore the top five patent challenges faced by universities and inventors in the tech transfer process. They discuss crucial topics such as:

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown and Office Controller David Campbell discuss the five main accounting challenges faced by university tech transfer offices. They cover essential topics like:

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown and Relationship Manager Jennifer Thomas explore the essential role of relationship management in university tech transfer. They discuss strategies for building strong partnerships with faculty, licensing professionals, and student inventors to enhance the success of technology commercialization. By focusing on communication, tailored events, and active networking, Jennifer shares insights into how relationship management supports the tech transfer mission, fostering collaboration between departments and connecting academic innovation with the commercial market. This episode is ideal for tech transfer professionals, faculty, and anyone involved in academic technology commercialization.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown and former tech transfer professional Colleen Kohler break down the complexities of iEdison compliance and federal reporting for university innovations. iEdison is crucial for any tech transfer office managing federally funded technologies, as it ensures compliance with the Bayh-Dole Act’s patent and licensing requirements. Colleen, an iEdison expert, explains step-by-step processes like reporting inventions, confirming government support, and securing confirmatory licenses. This discussion offers invaluable insights for tech transfer professionals navigating iEdison, simplifying compliance to avoid risks of losing federal funding rights or patent ownership.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown and finance student Jason Lowe dive into common concerns students have about launching their own startups. Addressing issues from financial risk and balancing academics to market validation and limited networks, they debunk myths and offer actionable insights for aspiring student entrepreneurs. With BYU's vast resources—from tech transfer technologies to startup funding and mentorship—students are well-equipped to start ventures with minimal financial burden and invaluable support. This episode is ideal for students considering entrepreneurship but unsure where to start or how to overcome initial challenges.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown and prototyping expert Bennett Mortensen discuss the essential role of prototyping in bringing university innovations to market. Bennett, a seasoned engineer and consultant, shares practical advice for creating effective prototypes, from low-fidelity models to manufacturing-ready versions. The episode covers critical aspects such as the cost of prototyping, design iterations, and how to utilize on-campus resources like 3D printing and the BYU Makerspace. Ideal for student entrepreneurs, tech transfer professionals, and inventors, this episode offers insights into minimizing costs while maximizing the impact of prototypes to advance technology commercialization.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown speaks with Michael Davis, a BYU student entrepreneur and co-founder of Highview, a startup accelerating biotech innovation by connecting early-stage technologies with investors. Michael discusses how Highview is creating a niche marketplace for academic intellectual property, allowing verified investors early access to promising biotech ideas still in the research phase. He shares insights on leveraging grant proposals to populate a database of novel research, the importance of networking within the tech transfer ecosystem, and strategies for bootstrapping a venture. This episode is a must-listen for students, tech transfer professionals, and biotech investors interested in early-stage commercialization and academic-industry partnerships.

In this episode, Dave Brown, BYU’s Tech Transfer Director, shares his approach to advancing innovation and partnership-building in university tech transfer. With over a decade in tech transfer, Dave discusses the unique role of tech transfer offices as service-oriented hubs that connect faculty, students, and industry to commercialize university-developed technologies. Highlighting the importance of student involvement, entrepreneurial support, and targeted licensing, he explains BYU’s strategy of experimentation and vision-setting. This episode offers valuable insights for new tech transfer directors, academic entrepreneurs, and institutions aiming to enhance their tech transfer impact.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown and Licensing Associate Bennett Mortensen discuss the groundbreaking Generative AI Governance Framework report, co-authored by BYU�s Dr. David Wood and industry experts. They delve into the report�s strategic recommendations for companies navigating AI adoption, covering essential issues like data privacy, employee creativity, and operational efficiency. Dave and Bennett explore the balance between empowering employees with AI tools and addressing ethical, regulatory, and security concerns. This episode is essential for business leaders, tech transfer professionals, and innovators interested in leveraging AI responsibly to gain a competitive edge.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown and Licensing Associate Bennett Mortensen dive into recent articles and studies that reveal surprising insights about entrepreneurship. From cognitive flexibility as a key trait for successful founders to the power of storytelling in business, they discuss how these findings impact aspiring entrepreneurs. They also explore the rise of social entrepreneurship, the role of networking, and why more people are drawn to launching startups today. This episode is packed with valuable perspectives for students, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about the evolving landscape of innovation.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown interviews Joon Beh, CEO and founder of Hallo.ai, a unique AI-driven language learning platform. Hallo.ai allows users to engage in real-time conversations with AI tutors, making language practice accessible and immersive. Joon shares his entrepreneurial journey, from his early challenges as a non-technical founder to building a scalable, subscription-based model focused on AI tutoring. He discusses overcoming obstacles, like visa issues and finding a technical co-founder, and the business pivots that led to Hallo.ai�s current success. This episode is a must-listen for language learners, AI enthusiasts, and aspiring entrepreneurs interested in scaling AI applications.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown and Adam Stevens, a patent attorney with nearly two decades of experience, discuss the intricate details of patent drafting, particularly the concept of enablement. Adam explains the importance of ensuring that patent applications include sufficient detail to allow others skilled in the art to reproduce the invention, highlighting cases where applications fail due to broad claims with insufficient examples. They also explore the latest changes in patent law, such as double patenting and terminal disclaimers, and how these impact tech entrepreneurs and licensing strategies. Essential for inventors and entrepreneurs, this episode provides guidance on strengthening patent applications from the start.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown speaks with Taylor Bench from Summit Venture Studio, a unique venture studio focused on transforming university-based ideas into viable businesses. Taylor explains the venture studio model, specifically how Summit differs by focusing on idea-driven projects rather than founder-led startups. They dive into the process of working with tech transfer offices to identify promising technologies and create companies around them, leveraging intellectual property and research-backed innovations. This conversation is essential for university entrepreneurs, tech transfer professionals, and anyone interested in the growing role of venture studios in tech commercialization.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown talks with Wesley Stevens, founder of Quillify.ai, a groundbreaking AI platform that streamlines grant searching and writing for startups. Wesley shares how his background in AI and data science led him to create Qualify.ai, designed to save entrepreneurs months of time by generating tailored grant opportunities and assisting in application drafting. They discuss the challenges of traditional grant writing, the power of natural language processing, and Qualify.ai�s potential to transform funding for startups and tech transfer offices. This episode is essential for entrepreneurs, tech transfer professionals, and anyone interested in leveraging AI to support innovation funding.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown interviews Mike Hendron, Director of BYU’s Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship, about the center’s pivotal role in fostering student entrepreneurship. Mike shares insights on BYU’s supportive programs, including Launchpad, Sandbox, and the Rollins Center’s new validation and traction grants. They discuss the unique entrepreneurial culture at BYU, which consistently ranks among top universities for alumni business ownership, and the value of hands-on experiences, mentoring, and community support. This episode is essential for students, faculty, and aspiring entrepreneurs interested in understanding how BYU nurtures innovation and prepares students to launch successful ventures.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown interviews Jono Gal, a PhD student at BYU and founder of Photosynthetic Technologies, on his groundbreaking work in algae cultivation through tubular photobioreactors. Jono discusses his patented design that increases production efficiency by 41%, potentially transforming protein production for food and biofuel industries. They explore the global demand for sustainable protein, particularly in high-population countries, and the impact of this technology on resource conservation. Ideal for biotech entrepreneurs, investors, and sustainability advocates, this episode delves into the science and business potential behind algae-based protein solutions.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer's Bennett Mortensen interviews Kelvin Cullimore, President and CEO of BioUtah, about the vital role BioUtah plays in fostering growth in Utah’s life sciences sector. Kelvin shares insights into Utah’s booming life sciences industry, BioUtah’s advocacy work, and the importance of networking in creating industry-academia-government partnerships. He also offers advice for early-stage life science startups on validating ideas, finding investment, and leveraging BioUtah’s events for networking and capital formation. This episode is essential for entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors interested in the thriving life sciences ecosystem in Utah.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown speaks with Olin Beck, CEO of Watt Power, a BYU-based startup focused on converting waste sugars into electricity using a unique catalytic process. Olin shares his journey from biotech to the energy sector, discussing the science behind Watt Power’s catalyst and its potential applications in waste management and carbon capture. They cover the challenges of scaling capital-intensive technology, working with BYU’s tech transfer office, and navigating the startup world. This episode is ideal for entrepreneurs, energy innovators, and anyone interested in sustainable technology commercialization.