Keith Strassner, Director

The Technology Transfer and Economic Development (TTED) office serves as the focal point for entrepreneurship, economic development, technology transfer and technology commercialization within the University of Missouri-Rolla, and as such functions as resource for the development, dissemination, and implementation of enabling discoveries to commercial partners.  TTED provides the means for applying these practices by offering business development and technology commercialization assistance to University and business ventures. The Office actively brings together the organizations, resources, and processes that will efficiently develop the university's discoveries for the betterment of society and the University.

TTED offers university faculty and students what they need to transfer technologies and create a start-up business by bringing new technologies to the widest possible audience through the commercialization of these discoveries.  Through its programs, services, and efforts, TTED is laying the ground work for the creation of new products, new jobs, and new opportunities for America.  To efficiently meet the needs of Missouri S&T for technology transfer and commercialization support, TTED consists of a Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and the Center for Entrepreneurship & Outreach (CEO).  Both groups work closely together and with the University of Missouri's Office of Research and Economic Development to provide responsive, professional service to our faculty, students and industry partners to facilitate the creation of wealth, jobs and opportunities for faculty, staff, students and business within the state of Missouri and the world. 

The TTO provides technology transfer expertise for identifying high-value innovative research, assessment of the licensability of Missouri S&T research, and securing intellectual property protection (when appropriate) for those inventions.  The professional staff works with the researcher and faculty to provide advice about technology transfer issues during the research activity and to assist in the invention disclosure process.  The TTO also provides guidance on an effective patent and copyright strategy and handles all the implementation details.  To effectively bring Missouri S&T's technology into commercial use, the TTO assists in the technical and market assessments and actively markets Missouri S&T's technologies to industry partners. As part of these activities the TTO will expand and improve the technology transfer process on campus to ensure responsiveness to faculty, open and transparent decision making, and industry friendly interaction with potential licensees to ensure access to the public and support the University's strong commitment to economic development initiatives. 

CEO integrates the activities of faculty, students and inventors by linking with technology-based small businesses to create commercialization opportunities, offer short courses and seminars on entrepreneurship, showcase technologies to government and industry partners, and identify business issues that require public policy attention.  Business assistance programs offered by CEO include the SBIR/STTR, MO PTAC, and University of Missouri Extension.

A start-up business has the potential to produce significant opportunities for the inventors, the University, and the community.  Given the right circumstances a start-up company can bring a technology to market more quickly, increase the value of a technology to outside partner companies, and aid University research activities.  CEO's professional staff provides proactive assistance in analyzing potential opportunities to form a start-up business with Missouri S&T's technology and encourage this interaction the early disclosure process.  In all cases, a new start-up business must make a compelling case to investors, inventors, business partners, and the University that it can attract funding and resources to achieve sustainable success.  CEO's staff provides hands on business assistance and links to funding and people resources.  

The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Program (SBIR/STTR) is a unique partnership among Missouri S&T, University of Missouri Extension and its partners to bring government research and development awards to the small business.  The staff can help you seek out, apply for and win government SBIR awards. The SBIR program is designed to 1) stimulate technological innovation; 2) partner with small businesses to meet federal research and development needs; 3) encourage the participation of disadvantaged businesses and minority-owned firms in technological innovation; and 4) increase private sector commercialization derived from federal research and development funding. The program offers small technology-based companies the opportunity to obtain seed capital for research and development early in the innovation process.

Dealing with regulations and red tape can be frustrating. In fact, those obstacles often keep highly qualified suppliers from selling to the government.   The Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers assist businesses-including small, disadvantaged and women owned firms-in obtaining federal, state and local government contracts.   Procurement specialists will help you in identifying opportunities and understanding the government contracting process so you can take advantage of government sales dollars.

University of Missouri Extension provides research-based knowledge and problem-solving resources from the University of Missouri to citizens, communities and businesses at the local level. Specialists in each county center can assist you directly or put you in touch with statewide experts and resources to serve your needs. The Business Development Program seeks to provide a seamless network of business support services that are proactive in anticipating needs, responsive to Missourians, effective in assistance and efficient in delivery to Missouri entrepreneurs and businesses, with outcomes that result in maximizing Missouri's economic viability, individual capacity, families, communities and environment. 

For more information about technology and business development efforts at Missouri S&T, contact us at (573) 341-4690 or email us.