Technology transfer, also called transfer of technology, is the process of transferring skills, knowledge, technologies, methods of manufacturing, samples of manufacturing and facilities among governments or universities and other institutions to ensure that scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of users who can then further develop and exploit the technology into new products, processes, applications, materials or services.

The role of a Technology Transfer Office (TTO) in the process of technology transfer is to support cooperation between the scientific community and the industry as well as to identify research which has potential commercial interest and strategies for how to exploit it.

Following is the list of some main supporting activities that TTOs carry out with firms:

• Creating awareness, education and publicity
• Evaluating patentable ideas
• Identifying funding opportunities and support programmes
• Fostering university-industry collaboration
• Intellectual Property (IP) management and licensing
• Supporting start-up and spin-off companies

Source: TTO