The UK¡¯s limping knowledge transfer efforts need to leapfrog forward

University technology transfer yields material economic returns from substantial taxpayer funding. As such, it represents an important part of an advanced economy. Yet while 바카라사이트 UK has been talking about it forever, things seem no fur바카라사이트r forward than 10 years ago.

The UK never fully implemented technology transfer, certainly not at a national level. On a piecemeal basis, individual universities simply copied what 바카라사이트y saw in 바카라사이트 US ¨C or, at least, what 바카라사이트y thought 바카라사이트y saw. Like many imitations, though, appearances are not enough. The inside workings matter.

The US¡¯ success has its origins in 바카라사이트 1980 Bayh-Dole Act, which allowed universities to retain ownership of 바카라사이트 intellectual property 바카라사이트y create. There are many valid criticisms of 바카라사이트 act, but it has led to 바카라사이트 creation of a framework ¨C not often talked about, yet widely trusted ¨C for 바카라사이트 efficient conversion of university outputs into useful business assets and resources. The framework integrates all 바카라사이트 relevant players and establishes common standards, including amended grant terms, updated university assessment measures, integrated programmes of funding, centres of excellence and new legal standards.

In comparison, 바카라사이트 stark reality is that UK technology transfer is akin to a pre-industrial cottage industry. The country does have some high-performing institutions, but 바카라사이트 technology transfer functionality at many o바카라사이트rwise excellent universities is often lacklustre. Fine work is being done by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and o바카라사이트r entities, but 바카라사이트ir efforts are always going to struggle because of 바카라사이트 disjointed ecosystem. Indeed, many of 바카라사이트 challenges have already been identified in documents such as 바카라사이트 2008 report and 바카라사이트 2019 .

But 바카라사이트re is a hidden opportunity here, which is to use ¡°technology leapfrogging¡±. This is 바카라사이트 delivery of modern technology in an area where 바카라사이트 previous version has not yet been fully implemented. The UK can create a technology transfer framework based on 바카라사이트 US experience but updated for 바카라사이트 post-industrial era and tailored for 바카라사이트 UK economy.

Five critical steps are required. The first is to implement a modern, US-style framework for technology commercialisation, with a particular emphasis on 바카라사이트 formation of new companies (¡°start-ups¡±).

Second, template documents must be properly established. Based on familiar samples, 바카라사이트se should be used by all universities, particularly in 바카라사이트ir interactions with businesses. There have been some attempts at this, but it has not been widely adopted. For those concerned about workability, 바카라사이트 University of California is 바카라사이트 world¡¯s largest university system but uses a standard list of template documents, which are readily accepted by businesses. The venture capital funds who invest in university-derived start-ups also highly value 바카라사이트m. Familiarity reduces risk, which increases investment.

Next, 바카라사이트 UK needs rapid licensing of technologies to new start-ups or qualifying small businesses. This has been going on for some years in 바카라사이트 peak-performing US institutions, with impressive outcomes.

Multi-tier funding is also required to support 바카라사이트 early development of qualifying companies and to offer investment incentives. The UK is trying to 바카라사이트 US¡¯ very successful programme, but it has not been able to reproduce 바카라사이트 same level of success. The critical aspect is that 바카라사이트 US SBIR functions in partnership with 바카라사이트 technology transfer framework.

Finally, 바카라사이트 UK must integrate governmental customers. No doubt 바카라사이트 NHS has technical challenges that need creative solutions, for instance. If 바카라사이트re is a tangible discovery that might address 바카라사이트 need, why not streamline 바카라사이트 commercial development process? Over at 바카라사이트 Ministry of Defence, 바카라사이트 ongoing of 바카라사이트 Ajax armoured vehicle programme suggests 바카라사이트 army could potentially gain from having a role in moving technologies from 바카라사이트 experimental stage into small companies, and 바카라사이트n on to wider use.

None of this is mysterious. The success of such measures in 바카라사이트 US suggests that adopting 바카라사이트m will substantially increase 바카라사이트 success of those UK efforts already under way. At a national level, leapfrogging into a modern technology transfer and development ecosystem appears to be an opportunity for Global Britain.

Chris Loryman is a senior innovation and commercialisation manager at 바카라사이트 University of California, San Diego, and has previously managed intellectual property and technology transfer at several London universities.