Georgetown’s Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) fosters new venture activity and entrepreneurship centered around GU technologies. We proudly stand as a steadfast ally for Georgetown faculty, staff, students, and local and regional entrepreneurs venturing into new enterprises built upon Georgetown University technologies. Our expert OTC team is committed to streamlining the creation of innovative ventures fueled by GU’s cutting-edge advancements. Funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grant, Georgetown Tech Ventures aims to focus GU research advances, partners, and spinout assets toward technology-based economic development in the DMV region through education, mentoring, and funding support. From the McDonough School of Business, Georgetown Entrepreneurship facilitates students and alumni in the pursuit of their dreams, whether that dream is building a startup from the ground up, working at a startup, or taking their passion for entrepreneurship to the corporate, government, or nonprofit worlds.
We are here to guide and support innovators at every step of the way as they navigate the intricacies of forming new ventures. Our goal is to offer insightful advice on the fundamental considerations associated with startups and entrepreneurial endeavors, equipping individuals with the tools needed to navigate specific challenges that may arise throughout the entire tech transfer process. Deciding to commercialize technology is a distinctive and demanding journey, and the information provided on this website is crafted to offer direction to our Georgetown entrepreneurs as they embark on this transformative expedition alongside us.
Georgetown Tech Ventures
Georgetown University’s proposal for the FY2023 Build to Scale Venture Challenge, titled Georgetown Tech Ventures (GTV), has been selected for funding. GTV focuses on implementing a research translation program to enable technology-based startups to contribute effectively to the economic ecosystem in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region. The project aims to assist startups by employing proven strategies:
Outreach and Recruitment: Engage diverse local innovators and entrepreneurs.
Cultivation of External Relationships: Connect with industry partners, investors, incubators, and accelerators.
Training for New Inventors: Provide comprehensive training, including customer discovery training.
Mentorship: Offer mentorship programs for startup founders.
Startup Support Services: Provide a range of support services for startups.
Cultivation of University Culture: Foster a culture of entrepreneurship and research translation within the university.
The successful completion of the GTV project will increase research- and technology-based startup ventures, thereby enhancing the DC contribution to a thriving DMV technology ecosystem. The project will be spearheaded through the GU Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC), focusing on establishing an effective technology transfer operation. This operation will support research- and technology-based startups, facilitate collaboration between inventors and entrepreneurs, provide training and networking opportunities, and offer support for prototyping and proof of principle for innovative technologies.
SBIR/STTR programs – The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs
“Federal innovation, scientific achievement, and diverse entrepreneurship through small business innovation and research. Through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, America’s Seed Fund awards non-dilutive funding to develop your technology and chart a path toward commercialization. The federal government invests in your solution and gives you the freedom to run your business according to your vision.”
VICP – Connecting innovators with opportunities is our business
The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) was formed to support the Commonwealth’s vision for the expansion of innovation, opportunity, and job creation here in Virginia.
Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals
Harrington Discovery Institute has a singular mission to create new medicines. They were established to support physician-scientists who strive to change the standard of care in medicine.
I-CorpsTM – The U.S. National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) program
“An immersive, entrepreneurial training program that facilitates the transformation of invention to impact. Widely recognized as an effective training program in the U.S. and internationally, I-Corps addresses four urgent national needs: Training an entrepreneurial workforce, Translating technologies, Enabling positive economic impact, and Nurturing an innovation ecosystem.”
Georgetown’s OTC keeps a dynamic ecosystem committed to propelling innovation and entrepreneurship through a multifaceted network of strategic partners. This collaborative framework extends its reach across diverse domains, fostering advancements in networking, mentoring, funding, education, and training initiatives. By engaging with a spectrum of partners, OTC ensures a comprehensive approach to business services, enabling seamless collaboration and exchange of ideas. Furthermore, the ecosystem catalyzes incubation and acceleration, propelling entrepreneurial ventures and research endeavors to new heights. The synergy created within this ecosystem is a testament to the commitment to providing a holistic support structure where ideas flourish, businesses thrive, and innovation becomes a driving force for positive change.
“Outside Professional Activities” are defined as those that “either (i) do not contribute to fulfilling a faculty member’s research, teaching, and service responsibilities to the University, or (ii) are conducted as a PI, co-PI, or in any other role listed as committing effort to a sponsored research, service or education grant or contract awarded through another institution or entity without a subcontract to Georgetown.”
The Policy requires all faculty and most staff to file disclosure forms annually and to update their disclosures when circumstances change. All “Investigators” must update their forms within 30 days of discovering or acquiring a new financial interest related to their university responsibilities.
“The University allows and encourages all faculty to engage in other professional activities and relationships that foster professional development and enhance the mission of the University, when these activities do not undermine the fulfillment of their University responsibilities or compromise the basic values of transparency, objectivity, impartiality, integrity of scholarship, and independence. “
