Startup Planning and Strategy
We recognize that launching a startup based on your UO research can, at first, appear daunting. OVPRI is your innovation concierge, walking with you from the earliest stages of your research through company formation, explaining each step along the way.
Early Stages
Building the infrastructure and aligning expectations for launching a research-based startup begins at the earliest stages of your research. Industry, Innovation, and Translation (IIT) provides the advising and project management tools to help you navigate issues early and to make sure you have a solid foundation to launch.
Protecting Developing Intellectual Property
We conduct a thorough intellectual property (IP) inventory to identify the intangible assets that would best support a research-based startup. Based on that analysis, we apply for patents, copyrights, or trademarks for the work that would support a startup and bundle that with IP rights already acquired during your research project.
Choosing a Path to Market
We lay out the pros and cons of launching a new business to support your innovation to determine if forming a new company is the right next step or if licensing your innovation to an existing company may be a better path.A freedom to operate study to determine what other products and services are on the market and how their IP position may impact the development and commercialization of your work. This information often guides a discussion about whom to best partner with or whom to avoid.
Funding Your Idea
If a path forward has been identified, funding may be the next step. Research Development Services and Sponsored Projects Services can help you find funding and apply for funding. IIT will work in conjunction with other research administrative units to get your project started.
OVPRI expanded the internal grant mechanisms supporting commercialization and translational research at the UO with the launch of the Translational Opportunity Fund. The new grant program aligns with the UO's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative and is funded by generous donations from donors interested in accelerating the impact of innovations resulting from UO research.
Making Connections
If your idea is market-ready, we will connect you to resources both within the UO and in the community to help you better position your company for success.
A new company takes extensive work, expertise, and focus. To get an idea of the types of things you will need to think about in launching a startup, explore our checklist and cost calculator.
Connect with Us
Entrepreneurship is best with partners. Reach out to our team and get the support you need.