For Staff

Commercialisation is the process of taking research from the laboratory to the market. For the community to benefit from research it must be commercialised and a "product" must be developed.

Use the links on the left hand side to explore the options.

Benefits from commercialisation include:

recognition for you and the University
fun and intellectual stimulation
satisfaction of seeing the practical outcomes of your research
access to new sources of research income

Commercialisation can occur through a number of processes including:

granting a license of intellectual property to a commercial partner to exploit intellectual property
entering into contract research agreements to undertake research at commercial rates
spinning out a start up company into which intellectual property is licence or assigned, and into which investments by, for example, verture capitalists are made to fund research and development

Otago University has a range of courses and activities to introduce you to commercialisation. These courses exist throughout the Health Sciences, Sciences and Commerce Divisions. These pages provide lists of available courses, events that may be of interest and links to external organisations that might help you.

What's Happening

Partnering for Innovation 2010 Seminar Programme

The Partnering for Innovation Seminar Programme is being run again in Dunedin this year. The speakers people who are involved in various stages of developing a technology based business, from initial development of the idea through to marketing and selling. There are 10 presentations, which will be held fortnightly, from the end of April.

If you are interested in participating please contact Victoria on 479 8454 or victoria.jameson@otago.ac.nz to register. Further details on last years programmes is available in courses.

2009 Ideas Stocktake

Do you have an idea that you think may have commercial potential? Would you like someone to investigate the commercial possibilities for you?

We are running the Ideas Stocktake again this year. This involves you meeting with a senior undergraduate student for an hour and explaining your idea to them. The student, with guidance from us, willconduct the research required to assess your idea from a commercial perspective.

If you are interested in participating contact Victoria on 03 479 8454 or victoria.jameson@otago.ac.nz. Further details are available in processes.