That鈥檚 where Innovation Support Services (ISS) can help.
What exactly is ISS?
At the University of Ottawa, Innovation Support Services is the central office for research commercialization and innovation partnership development. Their mission is to help researchers translate their discoveries and ideas into goods and services that make a real difference in the world.
鈥淲e work at the intersection of academia and external stakeholders, whether that鈥檚 industry, government, investors or non-profits, acting as a connector between research excellence and practical application,鈥 says ISS Senior Director Michael Bitz.
ISS manages the University鈥檚 intellectual property (IP) portfolio, supports collaborative research and commercialization, and assists in entrepreneurship initiatives.
Who鈥檚 behind ISS?
ISS consists of a multidisciplinary team whose members are experts in business development, research and development (R&D), collaborations, entrepreneurship, contracting and intellectual property protection and licensing.
Under Michael鈥檚 leadership, the team is structured into three core sections:
- Business Development: Responsible for invention disclosures, developing IP strategies and structuring licensing agreements.
- Collaborative Research: Focuses on managing and structuring research agreements and partnerships.
- Entrepreneurship Hub: Supports 电车无码 innovators in launching startups through mentorship programs, pitch competitions and workshops.
These units are supported by teams of business development officers who specialize in life sciences, engineering, or digital innovation, among other areas, and provide targeted commercialization advice to 电车无码鈥檚 research community. A team of contract specialists support our collaboration efforts to ensure that agreements protect researchers and comply with the University鈥檚 standards and practices. Finally, our entrepreneurship activities are guided by a dedicated group that focuses on preparing the next generation of business leaders by providing mentorship and training opportunities to budding entrepreneurs.
R&D collaboration
As a researcher, if you鈥檙e approached by an industry partner or want to work with a company, ISS can ensure that this kind of partnership is set up for success.
The Collaborative Research team manages agreements with industry, governments and external organizations, whether it鈥檚 an NSERC Alliance proposal, a Mitacs project, or a private sector or government contract. They draft and negotiate a variety of agreements and ensure compliance with various policies, such as security and export controls.
While the Business Development team helps identify or initiates industry connections, the Collaborative Research team finalizes the agreements, ensuring a smooth collaboration that remains compliant.
As the research world and agreements become more complex, ISS ensures that every project and idea is structured, properly reviewed, and efficiently and correctly finalized.
Commercialization
Commercialization is central to ISS鈥檚 mandate. The Business Development (BD) team works closely with researchers during this process.
Although the commercialization process can begin at any point, it is often triggered by an invention disclosure, which allows the BD team to engage with the researcher on a specific concept as they work together to assess the invention鈥檚 potential. ISS then conducts a full technology assessment, which considers aspects such as market potential, novelty, competition and protection options. For promising technologies, the team helps secure patents and develops tailored commercialization strategies.
If a researcher would like to become an entrepreneur to further develop the technology, our BD managers can assist the researcher by introducing them up to the Entrepreneurship Hub, which introduces researchers to the entrepreneurship ecosystem and guides new entrepreneurs through the steps needed to build a start-up.
The ISS aims to ensure that your innovation reaches those who need it, and that your research is translated into real-world solutions that make a difference.
How ISS provides high-quality service
ISS is also transforming how it operates and engages.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not just reacting to requests,鈥 says Michael Bitz. 鈥淲e鈥檙e reaching out, proactively supporting researchers, and aligning more deeply with the University鈥檚 broader innovation and societal impact goals.鈥
ISS is introducing new performance measures that track not only how fast agreements are signed, but also the quality and impact of results. We are also expanding the definition of valorization to include social innovation, open science, global access licensing and policy impact.
Recognizing that commercialization can feel intimidating, ISS is increasing its outreach efforts by hosting IP workshops, providing plain-language guides, setting up one-on-one consultations, and organizing faculty-specific events.
The team is also modernizing its practices by adopting new tools, such as contract tracking software, market assessment platforms and CRM systems, and is investing in internal team and cross-functional collaborations, in order to provide more targeted and strategic approaches.
Your research. Their mission.
Whether you鈥檙e just beginning a project or preparing to launch a spinout, ISS can help you take the next steps.
Michael Bitz says that 鈥渨e鈥檙e evolving ISS from a transactional support unit into a strategic partner for innovation, one that鈥檚 actively building capacity, growing relationships, and helping the University translate research into [projects with] real, lasting impact.鈥
ISS is here to guide researchers through the complex world of innovation, ensuring that ideas leave the lab and make a real difference, whether through a research agreement, a patent, a licence or even a researcher鈥檚 very first startup.