Technology Transfer at Koç University

Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (VPRI) aims to support all stages of transfer of technologies emerging from Koç University to the use of public. VPRI is responsible for the processes of evaluation of the commercial potentials of technologies, seeking for the most appropriate Intellectual property protection, the follow-up and execution of the technology transfer processes. Within this scope, VPRI team is responsible from the communication with the inventors on one-to-one basis, conducting preliminary patent searches, prosecution of all patent processes, and ensuring that the Koç University technologies are protected in the most comprehensive way within the intellectual property right framework. In the same parallel, the team is responsible for the identification of potential markets, creation/implementation of license agreements, and negotiation processes.

Our Objectives

• Contribute to the development of society through technology transfer
• The acquisition of the technologies emerging from Koç University
• Funding of Koç University Research through Technology Transfer

From Idea to the Market

At Koç University, VPRI supports technology transfer process from idea to product development with a facilitative approach. Knowledge emerging from Koç University Laboratories are prosecuted starting from the project development phase and tailor-made mechanisms are designed for each technology for a commercial output. Incentive mechanisms and facilitative technology transfer policies are adopted with the support of the university management. One-to-one interaction and communication with researchers for creation of an environment of trust has been adopted by VPRI. The most appropriate Intellectual Property protection mechanism for the specific technology, which has been tracked through the research development phase, is selected. The process starts with the disclosure of the invention by the researcher followed by the evaluation of the invention in terms of both the patentability criteria and the commercial potential. The patent prosecution process including the drafting of the patent application are pursued with the researchers with a transparent management. The most appropriate commercialization mechanism for the specific technology is determined and acted upon that direction. Issues like the motivation of the inventor, the level of technology readiness level (TRL), the status of the market and the scope of protection of the patent are considered in the decision. The contract management and follow-up processes are also managed by the VPRI.