Tech Transfer Articles

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown, along with experts Bennett Mortensen and Adam Stevens, introduce eight groundbreaking technologies available for licensing from BYU’s tech transfer office. Highlights include a constant-force exercise machine, a noise-predicting app for homebuyers, and innovative medical tools like a pacific venous valve for varicose veins and a single-step diagnostic tool for rapid microorganism identification. They also discuss surgical instruments designed for minimally invasive procedures and an app with personalized exercise recommendations to reduce blood pressure. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, industry partners, and medical innovators looking to license ready-to-market university technologies.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown talks with Debbie Silversmith and Suzy Cordy from BYU's Research Administration Office to discuss how sponsored research is managed and how it intersects with tech transfer. They explain the process of securing external funding from industry and federal agencies, navigating intellectual property issues, and ensuring compliance in research involving human and animal subjects. Highlighting programs like the SBIR/STTR grants and the Sponsored Projects Office's role in fostering faculty innovation, this episode provides valuable insights for researchers, faculty, and industry partners interested in supporting and commercializing university research.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer interns talk with seasoned entrepreneur Chuck Knutson, who shares his journey of building multiple businesses and his approach to learning from market feedback. Chuck discusses the “law of the harvest” in entrepreneurship—how success requires more than just good ideas; it demands preparation, patience, and a willingness to adapt based on market response. From his early ventures in tech to launching unique products with minimal advertising, Chuck reveals what it takes to connect with customers and turn insights into profitable ventures. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs, tech innovators, and anyone interested in the realities of starting and scaling a business.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown interviews Cromwell Wong, CEO of IsoTruss, a company revolutionizing infrastructure with advanced carbon fiber technology. Cromwell shares his journey from Wall Street to BYU’s tech transfer ecosystem, where his background in finance and international business uniquely positioned him to lead IsoTruss in scaling sustainable, high-strength infrastructure solutions. They discuss the challenges of market validation, securing patient capital, and balancing optimism with practical considerations in the high-stakes world of infrastructure innovation. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone interested in the future of advanced materials and sustainable infrastructure.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 sits down with Andrew Krauss, co-founder of InventRight, to discuss how inventors can bring their ideas to market through licensing. With over 25 years of experience, Andrew shares InventRight’s approach to helping creators evaluate product potential, file provisional patents strategically, and build strong licensing relationships. They cover the value of licensing over venturing, the importance of conducting market research, and the critical role of creating effective sell sheets. This episode is a must-listen for inventors, entrepreneurs, and tech transfer professionals seeking practical advice on commercializing new products.

In this presentation to faculty, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown provides a comprehensive overview of BYU’s tech transfer mission, emphasizing its unique approach to commercialization, student engagement, and the creation of startup companies. Dave explains BYU’s initiatives in helping students bring innovations to life, from prototyping to licensing support. BYU offers validation and traction grants, a robust mailing list, and hands-on learning experiences. Dave also discusses collaborations with resources like the Utah Innovation Center to help student startups secure SBIR/STTR grants, highlighting a range of BYU-supported entrepreneurial paths. This episode is essential for students, faculty, and anyone interested in university-driven innovation.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown talks with Dr. John Cox, a BYU inventor and therapist, about Cosmic Battle Training (CBT), a therapeutic card game designed to teach children and adolescents Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) skills. Dr. Cox explains how the game’s space battle theme engages players as they learn to counter “attack cards” representing cognitive errors, like catastrophizing and negative labeling, with “defense cards” that introduce positive CBT concepts. The game promotes self-awareness and emotional resilience, making it a valuable tool for therapists, parents, and educators who want to help kids develop mental health skills in a fun, interactive way.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown speaks with Benoy Tamang, a seasoned CEO coach and serial entrepreneur with a background in founding and scaling tech businesses. Benoy shares his journey from tech operations to coaching, emphasizing the critical skills CEOs need as they scale their companies, including delegation, relationship-building, and self-awareness. They discuss the importance of a CEO’s ability to adapt, manage investor relations, and maintain work-life balance. This episode is invaluable for startup founders, tech entrepreneurs, and business leaders seeking insights into the challenges and rewards of effective leadership.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown sits down with Randy Davies, a professor of instructional psychology, and Michael Murff, a PhD student in measurement and evaluation, to discuss WriteGrader, a revolutionary AI grading tool designed to alleviate the workload of teachers. Built by Gen AI Learning Solutions, WriteGrader uses advanced AI to provide consistent, rubric-based grading and real-time feedback for essays, saving teachers hours of work. The discussion covers how the tool was designed for ease of use, integrates customizable rubrics, and delivers feedback that helps both students and teachers improve. This episode is perfect for educators, tech innovators, and anyone interested in AI’s potential to enhance education.

In this episode, BYU Tech Transfer Director Dave Brown and Licensing Associate Bennett Mortensen discuss the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in university tech transfer. From generating marketing content to identifying potential commercialization partners, they explore how AI tools streamline busywork, improve market targeting, and enhance outreach efforts. They share specific AI applications like automated cell sheet creation, AI-assisted patent reviews, and Opus Clip for video marketing. This episode offers essential insights for tech transfer professionals, university administrators, and entrepreneurs interested in integrating AI to maximize tech commercialization efforts.