Technology transfer includes both educating students who transfer what they have learned to the commercial sector and, as more commonly defined, moving technological advances (ideas, products, processes) into the private sector where they can be commercialized to produce new products and processes or used to improve existing ones.

Clearly, the major role of the university is to educate students; a research university also has the role and social responsibility of ensuring that research advances reach the public through technology transfer.

To facilitate technology transfer on our campus, the Technology Transfer Team, which includes faculty, staff and representatives of UW Madison Office of Corporate Relations, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), and University Research Park , advises the vice chancellor for research on policies and processes designed to help inventors transfer their technology in an effective, efficient and ethical manner.

In accomplishing this, it is the Tech Transfer Team's goal to work with the state in utilizing university research advances to develop more thriving businesses and job opportunities in Wisconsin by addressing the following initiatives.

• Develop Long-Range Technology Transfer Strategy, Including Facilities, Process and People
• Create Environment Supportive of Faculty, Students and Staff Committed to Technology Transfer
• Increase Funding for Research Ideas Leading to Technology Transfer
• Extend UW Technology Transfer Connections Regionally and Globally
• Provide Opportunities that Encourage High Tech Business and Employees to Locate in Wisconsin
• Link Business with Technology Initiatives
  

To learn more detail about UW Madison initiatives and technology transfer resources, visit:

• Connecting Ideas - UW Chancellor website
• Bioscience Boulevard 
  UW-Madison'’s figurative “Bioscience Boulevard,” running through the campus'’s 933 acres and comprising an extraordinary collection of cutting-edge bio research and development centers.
• Bioscience Resources at UW-Madison and in Madison
  A diverse concentration of bioscience expertise puts the University of Wisconsin-Madison among the world leaders in life science and medical research.
• Biomedical Engineering Center for Translational Research
  Research topics include bioinstrumentation, biomaterials, bioMEMS and micro fabrication, biomedical imaging (e.g. magnetic resonance, optical, molecular, radiological), biometrics, cardiovascular mechanics, cellular engineering, orthopedic biomechanics, ergonomics, rehabilitation and disabilities, neural engineering and tissue engineering. This fall, the Biomedical Engineering Center won a $580,000 per year Wallace H. Coulter Award to further "translational research," the development of practical solutions to address particular clinical problems or unmet clinical needs.
• New Business Startup Initiative
  In collaboration with other entrepreneurial services on campus, this program provides multidimensional support for faculty, staff and students who want to start companies based on their work at UW-Madison. 
• Initiative for Studies in Technology Entrepreneurship
  The initiative facilitates, creates and transmits fundamental research related to technology entrepreneurship. It includes new-venture creation, new-venture financing, strategic management of technology, legal and regulatory influences on innovation and venture creation, and related policy issues.
• Map of the "Madison Biocluster" of Companies and Facilities
  

For more information on individual Tech Transfer Team initiatives, visit:

• University Research Park
  608.441.8000
• UW Madison Office of Corporate Relations
  608.263.2840
• WARF
  608.263.2500