Office of Technology Transfer and Business Innovation
The knowledge acquired in Clemson University research programs is not intended to stay within the confines of the institution. Knowledge is to be shared, first with peers and students, but ultimately with the community and society at large.
Technology transfer is the process of moving research findings from the academic setting to their practical applications. At Clemson, the Office of Technology Transfer within the Division of Research works closely with the Clemson University Research Foundation (CURF) to commercialize University intellectual property through licensing agreements, new company formation and incubation of fledgling businesses based on new technologies developed at Clemson.
The impact of the technology transfer process can be seen throughout the Clemson University mission of teaching, research and extended public service. Over the past decade ending in FY2011, the investment in technology transfer generated 648 disclosures from faculty, students and staff; induced 110 issued patents; and achieved over $28M in gross royalty revenue received. In addition, licensees of university intellectual property reinvested over $1.7M in sponsored research and formed 15 start-up companies, many of whom call South Carolina home.
In FY2011, the faculty, students and staff of Clemson University disclosed a university record 124 new technologies spanning five colleges and 20 departments. The key emphasis areas were biomedical/biotechnology, automotive and transportation, advanced materials and information technologies.
In cooperation with the Clemson University Research Foundation, the Office of Technology Transfer’s priority is to develop initiatives to move technology, created through research and creative inquiry, out of the laboratory and into commercial markets. For more information on our technologies available for licensing and our technology transfer process, please visit clemson.edu/curf. If you have a specific question, please contact us at contactcurf@clemson.edu.