Paths to Commercialization

The Office of Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Resources and Engagement is the destination for any faculty or staff member looking for assistance with their intellectual property, from research to creative works. 

We understand that every idea is different and the pathway to bringing it to the public is different as well. That’s why we work with you to create a custom roadmap that includes tools and resources designed to set you up for success. From licensing, patenting, copyright, and startups, we’ve got you covered.

Learn more about our programs and check out the UMaine Commercialization Guide below.

Featured Programs

A flyer featuring text over indistinct images that reads: from research to real world commercialization training series

For faculty, staff and graduate students interested in the commercialization process (at any stage), we recommend starting with our Commercialization Training Series. Offered throughout the academic year, this series of professional development workshops provides an overview of different topics related to commercialization at UMaine. Learn more and register.

Logo for the National Science Foundation I-Corps program

UMaine’s I-Corps site program will help you zero in on key market segments in order to explore  the commercialization potential of a novel technology or solution. The six-week I-Corps program offers grant funding for customer discovery activities and dedicated coaching that can help you identify the market opportunity for your STEM-based research (or research in other disciplines that has a technology application). UMaine’s site program serves as a feeder for both the MIRTA accelerator program and the National I-Corps program (an expanded version of UMaine’s site program during which teams perform at least 100 face-to-face interviews with potential customers and partners to evaluate product-market fit and their wider business model). Learn more about I-Corps at UMaine.

Logo for the UMaine MIRTAUMaine’s I-Corps program is a pre-requisite for participation in MIRTA, an accelerator program designed specifically to develop UMaine research innovations into marketable new products and services that may lead to new job creation and grow Maine’s economy.

MIRTA applies the accelerator model used in the startup world for technology transfer projects in the university ecosystem. During this intensive 16-week program, participants are guided through market analysis, intellectual property analysis, and business model development. UMaine’s Research Reinvestment Fund supports MIRTA activities. After participation in MIRTA, teams have a roadmap with clear pathways that could include creation of a startup, licensing to a new or existing company or direct engagement with the end user. Learn more about MIRTA.