Explaining Technology Transfer Process gives life to new ideas developed at OSU What is technology transfer? Central to the land-grant mission of Oklahoma State University is providing knowledge and resources that improve lives. Technology transfer is one way OSU accomplishes that. “Tech transfer is the interface between academics and industry to advance new ideas to lifechanging products and services,” said Zach Miles, senior associate vice president for OSU Technology and Economic Development. “And then the second part of it is utilizing the resources we have on campus and making those available to industry to generate mutually beneficial research and development collaborations and allow those to spur economic development and diversification within the state.” When you think of the great ideas that can happen at a high-level research university,
technology transfer means being able to see them to fruition into something that betters consumers’ lives, Miles said. “Tech transfer is a push-and-pull mechanism to commercialize new ideas,” he said. “The impacts that are being felt are broader than that, though: students having real-world experiences; economies are diversified; revenue is generated for the university to increase its infrastructure and research capabilities; or mutually beneficial collaborations are formed with Industry that advance each entity’s goals and missions.” Where do the ideas that end up as startups or new technologies originate? At OSU, engagement can come from many different avenues, especially since OSU has a broad approach to technology transfer — an approach focused on adding value instead of a pure transaction model.
The Venture One building at OSU’s Research Park is one of the university’s technology innovation centers, a place where new ideas can be developed.
26 O S U R E S E A R C H M AT T E R S
STORY HARRISON HILL | PHOTOS TODD JOHNSON, GARY LAWSON AND PHIL SHOCKLEY
