DC-Maryland-Virginia Regional Tech Transfer Office Forum
Georgetown’s Office of Technology Commercialization staff attended the Winter 2023 DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) Regional Tech Transfer Office (TTO) Forum on November 30, 2023.
The event brought academic leaders, ecosystem partners, and spinout entrepreneurs together to discuss university commercialization offices’ latest trends and challenges.
The forum addressed key discussion points, focusing on the pivotal role that TTOs play in supporting faculty interested in initiating startup ventures. Participants delved into the funding and facilitation strategies employed by TTOs, including mentorship programs, term sheet templates, and pitch coaching. The objective was to share best practices to streamline the technology de-risking process through spinouts and startups.
A panel of regional academic commercialization leaders (Johns Hopkins University, George Washington University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Georgetown University) tackled questions surrounding significant barriers in the commercialization journey. Topics such as culture, leadership, and funding were explored, emphasizing how TTOs can effectively address these challenges.
An exciting event highlight was the opportunity for attendees to learn about the Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS incubator model during a tour of JLABS @ Washington, DC, gaining valuable insights into the incubation facilities and programs offered by JLABS.
TTO colleagues had the opportunity to learn about the JLABS incubator and the Blue Knight program, as well as share best practices and info about the various programs and services available at our universities in the DMV region for faculty, trainees, and students to advance their ideas towards commercialization and impact.
Tatiana Litvin-Vechnyak, Vice President of the Georgetown’s OTC
Stay tuned to Georgetown University’s Office of Technology Commercialization website for more information about upcoming events and initiatives.
