Commercialization Framework

April 19, 2022

Laurier’s Commitment to the Management and Protection of Intellectual Property 

Laurier is committed to maximizing the benefits of research undertaken at Laurier for the benefit of the citizens of Ontario and its economy. We seek to create an ecosystem that drives innovation that strengthens human health and wellbeing, the economy, communities, and the planet. We are committed to the management and protection of intellectual property (IP) generated by our researchers to maximize commercial opportunities and benefits to society. Our commitment is reinforced in our Research Strategy where knowledge dissemination, research excellence, partnerships, and future-readiness are weaved throughout. 

Roles and Responsibilities Related to our Commitment 

Generation of Intellectual Property  

As a learning and research institution, Laurier generates new knowledge across various disciplines. This new knowledge can take the form of inventions, such as novel products or processes; literary, creative, and artistic work; software, computer programs or data; and other such creations. There is no single path for the knowledge generated by our researchers to reach its target audience and maximum benefit. Regardless of the path, there are various roles and entities at Laurier that take part in the generation, management, protection, and translation of IP generated at the institution.  

Faculty and Student 

Faculty members and students are the primary generators of IP at Laurier throughout the course of conducting their research.  This research is most often supported by external granting agencies and, occasionally, external industry or not-for-profit organizations.  As the university has an inventor-owned IP policy for full-time faculty, contract teaching faculty (CTF), and students who create IP while attending the university as outlined in Article 5 of Policy 11.3 Ownership of Student-Created Intellectual Property, it is up to the inventor to assign their IP to the institution if they wish for Laurier to manage it.  Faculty members play a critical role in assisting students in navigating the process of IP management and protection as part of their training at the institution.   

Innovation Ecosystem 

The work of faculty and students to generate IP and commercialize products is supported by a robust innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem at the institution. The ecosystem consists of a number of incubators, accelerators, innovation lab spaces and hubs, research centres, curricular and extracurricular activities.  The figure below outlines the current dynamic ecosystem that drives innovation activities at Laurier.  See “Engagement with the Innovation Ecosystems” for further information on Laurier’s Innovation Ecosystem.  

Management of IP and Commercialization Activities 

Laurier undertakes a centralized approach to the management of IP and commercialization activities at the university for researchers and students who seek assistance in IP and commercialization, or those who wish to assign their IP to the university. The Office of Research Services (ORS) is home to IP and commercialization support activities at the institution.  

Vice-President, Research 

The Vice-President, Research (VPR) provides strategic leadership and oversight of research and innovation and the enhancement of partnerships with external partners. The VPR drives the institution’s strategic efforts to increase IP generation and external community engagement.   

Assistant Vice-President, Research 

The Assistant Vice-President, Research (AVPR) provides leadership to the ORS and supports the VPR in enhancing research partnerships and making strategic decisions to promote innovation and commercialization.  

Manager, Research Facilitation 

The Manager, Research Facilitation, provides leadership and oversight to the Industry Liaison Specialist and Research Facilitators.  The Manager works closely with the AVPR to enhance the partnership, innovation, and commercialization services offered to researchers by the ORS.   

Industry Liaison Specialist 

The Industry Liaison Specialist supports researchers by facilitating collaborative research with industry partners. From strategy planning to partner engagement, identification of funding opportunities, or advancing existing partnerships, customized service is provided to suit the researchers’ needs. The Industry Liaison also promotes technology transfer activities to bring ideas to market. This includes advising researchers on all matters related to the creation, protection, and commercialization of intellectual property via patents, trademarks, and copyrights. 

Industry Partnership Services: 

• Identify potential partners within a researcher’s project scope and targets.  
• Facilitate collaborative research discussions with prospective or current partners.  
• Strategize with researchers and partners on which grant funding opportunities to target and provide guidance on scaling existing partnerships. 
• Assist researchers in applying for industry matching grant programs, such as NSERC Alliance, Mitacs, and Ontario Centre of Innovation programs. 
• Review, negotiate and obtain authorized signatures for industry-sponsored research agreements and all related research contracts involving an industry partner. 
• Ensure that agreements comply with university policies and protect researchers’ rights. 

Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Services:

The following services are available to researchers and students who are seeking assistance with their IP:

• Evaluate inventions, discoveries, and copyright materials developed by Laurier researchers.   
• Identify industry receptors to support development and commercialization.  
• Support grant funding applications for market research and technology development, such as NSERC Idea to Innovation. 

• Evaluate inventions, discoveries, and copyright materials developed by Laurier researchers.  
• Secure intellectual property protection through patents, copyright, trademark, and others. 
• Identify industry receptors to support development and commercialization. 
• Facilitate commercialization efforts. 
• Support grant funding applications for market research and technology development, such as NSERC Idea to Innovation. 

The Industry Liaison Specialist serves all faculty across various disciplines and will often require additional time to understand the industry sector, product or service that applies to your specific needs. Please reach out to the Industry Liaison Specialist if you are interested in engaging in a research partnership with industry or to learn more about how we can best support the commercial potential of your research activities. 

Research Facilitators

Research Facilitators assist faculty members with all aspects related to funding support for their research activities. Each facilitator works closely with faculty with the objective of increasing the funding support for their research programs and ensuring that the highest quality applications are submitted to external funders. 

Research Facilitation services: 

• Identify and promote external funding opportunities.  
• Act as key advisors on funding agency requirements. 
• Provide substantive assistance in the preparation and submission of applications. 
• Review and interpret feedback on unsuccessful funding applications.  
• Serve as a liaison between faculty and funding agencies. 
• Facilitate the development of research partnerships and collaborations.  
• Draft letters of support and obtain authorized university representative signatures.  
• Assist in contract negotiation and review.  
• Host workshops on funding opportunities and the successful development of grant applications. 

Please reach out to your Research Facilitator if you are interested in applying for research funding opportunities.  

Manager, Research Partnerships 

The Manager, Research Partnerships is responsible for advancing Laurier’s research partnerships with governments and not-for-profit organizations and identifying opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations within and outside Laurier.  The role of the Manager is critical for ensuring that Laurier's research is translated for the benefit of government and non-for-profit receptor communities.   

General Counsel and Legal Counsel 

Laurier’s General Counsel and Legal Services and Fair Practices Office ("Legal Services Office") provides legal advice to the Laurier community to support the university's strategic goals and is responsible to review, draft and maintain legal documents. The Industry Liaison Specialist consults the General Counsel and Legal Services Office for legal matters concerning IP, technology transfer, commercialization, and external partnerships as needed. The Industry Liaison Specialist and ORS team members work with the General Counsel and Legal Services Office in drafting and reviewing contracts and agreements, such as: 

• Research Agreements
• Intellectual Property Agreements 
• License Agreements 
• Option Agreements 
• Material Transfer Agreements 
• Data Sharing Agreements 
• Non-Disclosure Agreements 

The ORS also maintains template contracts and agreements that have already been reviewed and approved by the General Counsel and Legal Services Office. New contracts that are not based on existing templates are submitted by the Industry Liaison Specialist to the Legal Services Office for review and approval, in accordance with the University’s Signing Authority Policy. 

External Counsel 

From time to time, and in consultation with the Legal Services Office, if applicable, the ORS may find it necessary to seek external counsel such as patent attorneys/agents or licensing experts, especially in dealing with patent applications and complex licensing agreements. This is to ensure that the rights of Laurier and its researchers are secured and protected. As patents are highly technical documents and licensing structures vary between industries, the Industry Liaison Specialist ensures that the external counsel has the necessary expertise for the invention/license. In hiring external counsel, the ORS ensures compliance with Laurier's 5.7 Signing Authority Policy, 5.11 Procurement and Tendering Policy, 5.13 Retention of External Legal Counsel, and other relevant policies.  

IP Education and Awareness Resources 

About Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer 

Faculty members and students are the main creators of IP at Laurier throughout the course of conducting their research. The process of technology transfer typically begins when a piece of new knowledge, process, or product is created through research outcomes. When these outputs have the potential to benefit the greater public outside the university, students and faculty members are encouraged to reach out to the Industry Liaison Specialist to discuss their IP. They will be asked to disclose details about their IP in order to conduct due diligence and to assess how to proceed.  

When new IP has the potential for commercialization, it is important to secure IP protection to protect the investment in the research and development of the IP. Although Laurier has an inventor-own policy, as outlined in Article 36 of the WLUFA Collective Agreement, Article 20.2 of the Collective Agreement for Contract Teaching Faculty and Part-Time Librarians, and Article 5 of Policy 11.3 Ownership of Student-Created Intellectual Property for full-time faculty, CTF and students attending the university, respectively, faculty members and students who are interested in the protection of their IP are encouraged to contact the Industry Liaison Specialist to seek advice. 

For further information on the technology transfer process at Laurier and additional resources, please refer to IP and Technology Transfer Guide for Laurier Researchers. 

Invention Disclosure and Assessment 

Laurier has an inventor-own policy, as outlined in Article 36 of the WLUFA Collective Agreement, Article 20.2 of the Collective Agreement for Contract Teaching Faculty and Part-Time Librarians, and Article 5 of Policy 11.3 Ownership of Student-Created Intellectual Property. Researchers are, however, not precluded from assigning their IP to the University. Assigning the IP to the University allows the researcher to focus on conducting research, while still reaping benefits from the commercialization of the IP through royalty shares. Furthermore, IP protection, especially for patents, may require significant financial resources that the University may be able to provide. 

Researchers wishing to assign their IP to the University must first complete an Invention Disclosure Form. The form will be reviewed and evaluated by the ORS team. Acceptance of the assignment by the institution will be based on an overall assessment of the IP’s patentability or registrability (for non-patent IP), market potential, and social and environmental impact. The final decision of the acceptance of the assignment rests with the VPR.  In the event that the University, upon evaluation and recommendation of the ORS, decides to accept the assignment through a written IP Agreement, it shall provide the necessary support for the registration, marketing, and commercialization of the IP assigned through the ORS and the Industry Liaison Specialist, and with the support of the researcher. 

Engagement with the Innovation Ecosystems 

As outlined in the image above, Laurier researchers have access to a robust and dynamic innovation ecosystem that can support and advance their ambitions to commercialize their IP.  Where possible, researchers are encouraged to look to their local innovation ecosystem in Kitchener-Waterloo, and then broader across Ontario, to identify local industry partnerships that will provide a net benefit to Ontarians, both social and economic. If local partners are not readily available, researchers are encouraged to work with the Industry Liaison Specialist to identify other domestic and/or international partners. 

Industry Partnerships 

Engaging in industry partnerships can be a valuable and rewarding avenue to support academic research. Industry partners seek access to research expertise, facilities, and talent and can provide cash and/or in-kind contributions towards a collaborative research project. Through these partnerships, researchers can obtain additional resources, expand the scope and impact of their research activities, commercialize IP, and enrich student training opportunities.    

Industry Partnerships are also crucial not just for conducting new, collaborative research, but also when it comes to technology transfer and commercialization. Often, universities are not equipped to commercialize IPs they produce, which is why partnerships are important when it comes to transferring technology. Industry is in a better position, and has more resources, in either bringing the IP closer to its intended market through further product development or commercializing it under a license from the university.  

The Industry Liaison Specialist can assist you to: 

• Identify key areas of expertise and strengths that may be of interest to potential partners. 
• Seek out potential partners that are aligned with your research interests. 
• Facilitate initial discussions with potential partners to advise on: 
  • Intellectual property considerations. 
  • Eligible funding opportunities. 
  • Requests for non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements. 
  • Requests for material transfer agreements and data sharing agreements. 
  • Managing partner expectations on realistic goals, timelines, and budgets.  
  • Prepare, negotiate and execute partner agreements. 
  • Review, edit and provide feedback on funding applications that leverage partner contributions.  

Researchers are encouraged to identify a potential partner to initiate the relationship. Utilize your formal or informal networks made through academic colleagues, past students, and researchers from external organizations (e.g. government or industry) to identify potential collaborators. 

Engagement with non-profit organizations 

Engaging in non-profit partnerships can be a rewarding avenue to see your research lead to social benefits and support thriving communities. Not-for-profit organizations often seek out research expertise to address pressing challenges facing the communities they serve. Through these partnerships, researchers can expand the scope and impact of their research activities, enrich student training opportunities, and sometimes, receive additional cash or in-kind contributions to support their work.  Researchers are encouraged to work with the Manager, Research Partnerships if they wish to engage with a not-for-profit organization.  The Manager, Research Partnerships can assist you to: 

• Identify key areas of expertise and strengths that may be of interest to potential partners. 
• Seek out potential partners that are aligned with your research interests. 
• Facilitate initial discussions with potential partners to advise on: 
  • Identifying and refining project outcomes including potential knowledge mobilization products. 
  • Identifying eligible funding opportunities. 
  • Managing partner expectations on realistic goals, timelines, and budgets. 
  • Prepare, negotiate and execute partner agreements. 
  • Review, edit and provide feedback on funding applications that leverage partner contributions.  

Researchers are encouraged to identify potential partners to initiate the relationship. Utilize your formal or informal networks made through academic colleagues, past students, and researchers from external organizations (e.g. government or industry) to identify potential collaborators. 

Engagement with incubators and accelerators 

As shown in the figure above, Laurier has an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem that includes incubators and accelerators that cater to students, alumni, and the community, offering mentorship, guidance, and other forms of support for their businesses, such as networks, workspaces, and access to funding opportunities. 

Laurier Incubation and Acceleration Programs 

• StartUp Lab is Laurier's incubator housed in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics. StartUp Lab is available to students and alumni who have business concepts for start-ups and social ventures. Contact StartUp Lab at startuplab@wlu.ca. 
• The Women Entrepreneurship Centre (WEC), of the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs. WEC has an incubation and an acceleration program and welcomes women who are undertaking a business or social enterprise. Contact WEC at wec@wlu.ca. 
• LaunchPad supports students and alumni at Laurier’s Brantford campus, as well as the wider community within the city, in helping them bring their ideas to life by launching and scaling their start-ups.  Contact LaunchPad Brantford at launchpadbrantford@wlu.ca. 

External Incubation and Acceleration Programs 

• Communitech is an accelerator that supports startups, scale-ups and at-scale companies by providing opportunities to access talent, capital, and sales. It is one of Ontario’s Regional Innovation Centres (RICs). Contact Communitech at frontdesk@communitech.ca. 
• The Accelerator Centre supports businesses, whether they are new or have been in existence for a long time, through their incubation, acceleration, and community-focused programs. Contact the Accelerator Centre at info@acceleratorcentre.com 
• HalTech is one of Ontario’s RICs and helps new and existing business owners in bringing their technology innovations to market and scaling up. Contact Haltech at info@haltech.ca.  

Year 1 Annual Commercialization Plan

Laurier’s approach to intellectual property (IP) management and commercialization is guided by our Research Strategy 2020-2025, which is comprised of four elements: knowledge dissemination, research excellence, thriving community (partnerships), and future-readiness. We seek to create an ecosystem that drives innovation that strengthens human health and wellbeing, the economy, communities, and the planet, and commit to the management and protection of IP generated by our researchers to maximize not only commercial opportunities but also benefits to society and Ontarians.

Laurier has an inventor-own policy and undertakes a centralized approach to the management of IP and commercialization activities at the university for researchers and students who seek assistance in IP and commercialization, or those who wish to assign their IP to the university. The Office of Research Services (ORS) is home to IP and commercialization support activities at the institution. The ORS continuously provides education, support, and resources to researchers who are interested in learning about IP, IP protection and commercialization. We work closely with researchers to identify industry partners that align with Laurier’s research themes and develop a collaboration that addresses complex challenges ensuring that Ontario-based and Canadian companies are at the forefront of innovation.

Laurier has an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem that includes incubators, accelerators, innovation spaces, and curricular and extra-curricular programs. Institutionally, our research and innovation efforts are supported by various Laurier units and roles that work collaboratively, as well as programs and funding, to advance innovation and IP commercialization. We continuously engage with federal, provincial, and regional intermediaries, and are committed to engaging and coordinating with the IP Ontario (IPON), in supporting researchers to commercialize their IP.

Our Annual Commercialization Plan closely aligns with Laurier’s first Innovation and Entrepreneurship Plan. The Plan aspires to cover innovation programming, university-industry/community collaborations, social innovation, entrepreneurship and research. One of the goals of creating our Innovation and Entrepreneurship Plan is to build a cohesive vision for how our work can span disciplines and connect with sectors outside the university to enhance the competitive landscape of our communities, Ontario, and Canada. This means mapping out both our internal and external innovation ecosystems to optimize the resources available for our faculty, staff, and students in pursuit of innovation and entrepreneurship. The following summarizes our plans on private sector partnership, engagement with research and innovation intermediaries, and our internal research and innovation ecosystem.

Private Sector Partnerships

• The ORS has staff to support research partnerships that aid in the promotion of commercialization of IP. The Industry Liaison Specialist is responsible for enhancing the development of strategic collaborative relationships between faculty and the private sector.
• We will coordinate with the players in our internal ecosystem to identify IP commercialization and industry partnership opportunities. Laurier will build its network of external partners within Ontario and Canada by conducting quarterly meetings for the Industry Community of Practice group, which is comprised of Laurier units/departments that partner and engage with industry. 
• Our Innovation and Entrepreneurship Plan, along with the newly created role of Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship will help coordinate the efforts of our different programs and offices towards engaging with companies within Ontario and Canada as well as foreign companies. 
• In 2024, Laurier will open its campus in Milton, a fast-growing community. The Milton campus is designed to be research-intensive with a multi-disciplinary approach and will host a living laboratory for students and collaborative research with industry.
• As part of our Innovation and Entrepreneurship Plan, we will explore the creation of innovation hubs in the communities in which we serve.
• Laurier participates in various associations and consortiums and continuously works to identify multi-disciplinary initiatives to expand and maintain our network of potential partners. For example, Our Industry Liaison Specialist will participate in the Ontario Founders’ Network (OFN), a collaborative network of Ontario universities that aims to create stronger relationships between academics and entrepreneurs.

Engagement with Research and Innovation Intermediaries

• We are committed to engaging and coordinating with IPON in helping researchers commercialize their IP. We will promote the services that IPON to our researchers and provide support for those who wish to apply for relevant/applicable services.
• We will continue to promote our IP on ISED’s online resource tool, ExploreIP, so that businesses can explore licensing and collaboration opportunities with us through the patents shared on the platform.
• Through our incubation programs, we will engage with Communitech and Accelerator Centre. We will coordinate with our incubators and accelerators to ensure that their programs’ plans are aligned with Laurier’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Plan.
• The Industry Liaison Specialist will work with researchers one-on-one to identify opportunities to further develop their technologies, collaborate with industry, or commercialize their technologies.
• As mentioned above we will explore the creation of innovation hubs in the communities in which we serve.

Internal Research and Innovation Ecosystem

• Laurier’s first Innovation and Entrepreneurship Plan is a key initiative that will streamline and coordinate innovation-related activities within Laurier to enhance our innovation ecosystem.
• The ORS staff support research partnerships that promote the research and innovation ecosystem across Laurier’s campuses. For example, for IP education and awareness the Industry Liaison Specialist offers knowledge sessions on IP for researchers; delivers workshops on developing and maintaining research partnerships; will explore the development of a process to conduct regular review and identification of research projects that have the potential to result in the generation of IP with commercial potential; and increase outreach to successful grantees to potentially generate more invention disclosures.
• Laurier will encourage collaboration within our campus community to promote innovation and commercialization activities and opportunities. For example, the Industry Community of Practice brings together Laurier Units that partner and engage with industry to identify synergies and expand collaborations and networks; and Research Ambassadors for the six themes identified in Laurier’s Research Strategy (2020-2025) are responsible for communicating research outcomes under their theme to the Laurier community.
• Co-curricular and curricular activities help promote innovation and commercialization among our students, such as Enactus Laurier and Innovation and Entrepreneurship Courses.