An introduction to entrepreneurial separation to transfer technology programs

There is an ever increasing interest in the development of within firm mechanisms to augment the transfer of intellectual property from laboratory environments to commercialization. The Federal Laboratory System is an example of where policy has recently been developed to strengthen their efforts in the technology transfer process. Entrepreneurial separation to transfer technology programs (ESTT) represent one mechanism that laboratories have to assist with the transfer of intellectual property across boundaries, especially in situations where initial efforts at commercialization have failed. However, no formal research exists on the effectiveness of these programs as a boundary spanning device. This work is based on a preliminary study in the ESTT domain placed in the technology transfer body of literature. In depth interviews were conducted with four organizations, along with a review of more than fifty organizational policies in order to develop an initial framework of ESTT programs. We introduce the concept of ESTT programs and discuss how inventor motivations and characteristics of the invention itself might influence the success of ESTT.