Author: Editor

SBIR/STTR Innovation Summit: “Partnering to Create a Successful Pipeline”

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By: Norton Kaplan, President & COO

On December 1, 2016 I had the pleasure of participating in a panel presentation at the SBIR/STTR Innovation Summit in Austin TX. Dr. Carlos Kemeny, Assistant Director, Office of Innovation and Strategic Investment, The University of Texas System chaired the panel titled “Partnering to Create a Successful Pipeline.” The focus was on encouraging the development of technologies, products, and services by University faculty and students that meet current and future market needs and objectives. We all know that this is a challenge, especially for Universities, so the creation of a comprehensive support program that begins with the voice of the market, identifying funding opportunities and then assisting with market entry strategies has been created. As presented by Christopher Taylor, I-Corps is being utilized to address the market need and voice of the end-users. The I-Corps program provides some funding, coaching and most importantly a methodical approach. Foresight is providing faculty/student startups with the identification and selection of specific funding opportunities that will advance the development of the technology and its value proposition to a market acceptable level. Foresight is also guiding the “company” through the funding application process and providing the market data and additional contacts to validate the approach being proposed. Jim Greenwood, Greenwood Consulting Group, emphasized that an approach that includes partnering with existing small and medium companies may be viable. And Atul Varadhachary, Fannin, added the value for companies to have support and a methodology to approach the market throughout the entire process increases the likelihood of success.

My thoughts on the overall challenges in creating this “pipeline” start with the faculty. Providing incentives to move from the University environment to the open market is an issue. There is risk and reward but the typical success rate is not as high as one may like to see. This is possibly addressed with the students and Ph.D. candidates. The faculty and University can be in a support or partnership position. An STTR opportunity may be considered as a funding source to move beyond the I-Corps program. Another approach is considering a Spin-Up model as Foresight has been utilizing to advance the development of technologies in preparation for market entry. Technical and financial risk is managed reducing the exposure to the individuals involved. The more than 35 years of experience also increases the probability of commercialization that an individual or start-up may not experience on their own. A program such as the one being employed at The University of Texas System is a great starting point as continuity, support and opportunity is sometimes all that is need to excite new entrepreneurs on the pathway to the market.

International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum, Newport, R.I. – Oct 2-5

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By: Daniel Satinsky, VP Business Development

The overflow attendance at the Forum was testament to the fact that offshore wind is becoming a reality, with the first demo project off Block Island, Rhode Island set to begin delivering electricity within weeks. The NASA Langley exhibit stand was well received, with many new possibilities for possible technology licensing and research collaboration. Offshore wind is poised to play an increasingly significant part in the U.S.’s clean energy future and Foresight is assisting NASA Langley to contribute to that future. The key to clean energy from wind will be continuing to drive down the cost of electricity while ramping up to utility scale delivery from the large projects in the planning stages off the coast of Massachusetts and Maryland, soon to be followed by New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Virginia. This process will require innovative new technologies and construction of an entire new industry of suppliers, construction, maintenance and service. NASA Langley has been introduced to this new industry by Foresight and is now making its technologies and capabilities known through participation in the Business Network for Offshore Wind events and through information outreach to companies, organizations and agencies up and down the East Coast

TechInnovation 2016

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By: Thom Abbott, International Business Development

Our 4th year supporting Techinnovation, and our 1st going solely as a service provider, gave a slightly different perspective on this hugely successful and well attended event. Between Techinnovation and the concurrent SLUSH and Techventure events the NRF estimated a total 5000 people went through the doors over the two days. Having the events running at the same time, gave a good spread of entrepreneurs from all parts of business, from competitors to Foresight, early stage technology developers and researchers, through to investors and government bodies.

Due to be being very busy at our booth, I did not have too much chance to have a look round the event though it was clear IPI’s reach to different technology providers continues to grow, with a number of universities and research institutes coming from even further afield, to show their technologies. It was great to have a chance to see some of this and have some of the initial discussions that will hopefully lead to further business in the region for Foresight.

Foresight Retreat 2016

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By: Norton Kaplan, President & COO

On September 11-15, 2016 Foresight convened our annual retreat at our corporate headquarters in Comptche, CA. A review of the current year’s performance verified that the company remains financially strong and that customer satisfaction remains extremely high. This is due to the continued effort to be innovative and flexible in providing high value and customized services to our new and dedicated clients. Going into the new year Foresight is focusing on extending these proven products and services to a greater client base throughout North America, Southeast Asia and the EU. The Foresight Singapore and UK companies will become further integrated into their local technology transfer and “deal making” communities. Training, due diligence, partnering, and the enhanced version of T2+2® will be complimented with customized services developed for the individual client. These company initiatives, and more were reviewed and approved by the Foresight shareholders and the Board of Directors.

I would like to thank our loyal customers and clients, new and established for your trust and support. I would also like to thank our dedicated staff, Senior Consultants, and board members for their diligence and contributions to making Foresight not only a rewarding place to “work” but for creating an environment where we can all make a difference.

Gaining Competitive Advantage Through Trust

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By: Alyssa Nacewicz, Director of Sales & Marketing

Last week, Foresight sponsored and hosted a booth at the ASTP-Proton Annual Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. Among the number of sessions and events I attended while there, some comments from the opening plenary really stood out for me.

One of the speakers, Soren Frandsen (Chairman, Danish National Network of Technology Transfer) said, “In technology transfer trust is a competitive advantage.” This is a powerful statement which we are finding to be extremely true, as building and maintaining relationships is becoming increasingly important in this community. Creating a working relationship where the innovator and industry contact can exchange input and ideas will strengthen your advantage in the market. And as stated by Henrik Jorgen Anderson (Senior R&D manager, Arla Foods Ingredients Group), “The shelf life of knowledge is decreasing”, so having that competitive advantage is important when racing competitors to the market.

At Foresight, we always say “it is never too early to reach out to industry.” Even if you feel that your technology is not mature enough at this time to pursue partnerships, it is important to establish lines of communication and keep them open so as not to lose out on an opportunity for partnering.

2nd International IP Monetization and Commercialization Forum

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By: Thom Abbott, Business Development Director- Asia

Foresight’s CEO, Dr. Phyl Speser, was an invited speaker at The 2nd International IP Monetization and Commercialization Forum 2016 in Suzhou, China June 26-27th, 2016. This event was an opportunity for Foresight to learn more about the Chinese market and get a feel for the appetite of various players, academic, government and industry for the further development of the IP field in China.

One of the most telling parts of the meeting was the clear interest in improving the IP sector and the respect for IP in China and not just amongst the government participants speaking, but also for the real development of innovation and cross border interaction at a global level. From the very balanced speech of Mr Yong Lontu, a former deputy minister of foreign trade and economic cooperation, to the small business owner concerned about how best to protect his inventions in China and consider the international markets, to the recently returned Chinese academic, IP and the growth in its importance in China over the past few years was clearly at the forefront of their mind.

It was clear from the meeting and the interactions we had, that although there are risks, and some clear differences in the Chinese IP system, it is developing and more and more realistic for a foreign company if careful to protect their IP effectively, mainly because it is fast being recognised how important it will be in shifting the country further from being the factory of the world, to the innovation centre it is fast becoming.

Thanks again to all of the hosts of the event, who made sure we were able to enjoy our time in China, and gave us the opportunity to try all the wonderful cuisine and some of the beautiful scenery the country has to offer!

TechConnect 2016 Panel

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By: Norton Kaplan, President

I was invited to be a panel member of “Taking Environmental Technologies to Market: SBIR EPA and People, Prosperity & the Planet (P3) Special Session” at TechConnect 2016, Washington, DC. EPA’s P3 Program is a unique college competition for designing solutions for a sustainable future. The panel included the P3 Program Manager, an i-Corps provider, April Richards – EPA SBIR Program Director, a current P3 participant, a successful company that started with P3, and Foresight as the Commercialization Assistance Provider. The “story line” was presented as: P3 for the development of ideas, i-Corps for validation by end-users, EPA SBIR for funding assistance, and Foresight for Commercialization Strategy and Support.

The audience was primarily made up of small and large business representatives, laboratory researchers, government representatives and other entrepreneurs. One of the key elements of a market entry strategy as presented by Foresight is the “insertion” of the technology into the supply chain that serves the target market. Questions from the audience focused on this issue among others. “How do you identify the supply chain?” The primary approach is to ask your end-users in the target market. How they learn about and acquire technologies for their use or integration is the key. Starting at the end and working backwards often works to identify the supply chain. For example: If you were to ask a drinking water provider or lab technician they may indicate that they acquire a sensor technology as an integrated feature of a testing instrument or system. Moving backwards along the supply chain the instrument/system manufacturer may indicate that they acquire sensors and not sensor technologies so that they can offer a range of solutions. In this case the sensor technology must be integrated as a packaged device before it may be applied. Power conditioning, software, interface, packaging, etc. may be required before the technology can be called a “sensor.” Therefore, the supply chain insertion point is with the sensor manufacturers.

The successful 3P company validated this approach. By the way, this company is a past awardee of the EPA SBIR program and a client of Foresight. They emphasized the need to continually reach out to the supply chain participants as the technology development progressed. It takes diligence and persistence that paid off for this company.

Impressions of Shanghai

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By: Phyllis Speser, CEO

If there  was ever doubt over what “threat” the Chinese offer to Western technological dominance, shanghai puts stereotypes to bed. It’s big, it’s new, it’s bustling, and it’s beautiful. The architecture is breathtaking — literally. You see creativity like this elsewhere in Asia, but here is not just the buildings which are designed. There is an ascetic harmony which suggests someone planned this town or there is a jazz instinct at work. Either way its creative and wonderful. Go to the web and search for Shanghai, the bind, at night. See if you agree.

A people that know how to craft beauty  in a LED studded skyline instance innovation and collaboration. This is no longer the China of cheap knock-offs. What it all means remains to be worked out, but China is open for business.

Shanghai- City of the future

Everyone jockeying smart phones for their selfie shot along the river
Behind them the steel, glass, and light
of the peoples’ aspirations
In front (and out of the picture)
the staid rock legacy of
renovated reversed colonialism

An orchestral landscape
Percussed with river barge engines
Propelling commerce

Protecting Assets which are Not Property

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By: Phyllis Speser, CEO

The SARIMA (South African Research & Innovation Management Association) meeting began today in Durban South Africa with a fascinating session on Traditional Knowledge Systems (TKS) and biodiversity and the protection of native African knowledge, plant, and animal resources. A key challenge for protection is how to wrap communal resources into Western-inspired intellectual property regimes.

The problem can be explained this way. Traditional medicine is a communal asset. It does not belong to anyone, it is there for all to share. So it is not property, which is the exclusive asset of its owner. It is import to emphasize that traditional knowledge has no owner. Who owned the myth of Odysseus. “Western Civilization”? “The ancient Greeks?” No-one has ever owned it so it makes no sense to talk about copyright rights. Yet under current Western legal regimes, outside biological researchers can come in, document traditional plants and the practices by which these are used to treat patients, do some supplemental research to explain the underlying mechanisms, and then patent the results. It’s a first to file world. Similarly, an anthropologist or a tourist can film a ritual with permission, add an explanation to the video, and it can be called a documentary and copyrighted.

Intellectual property rights give the assignee a right to exclude others. The owner of IP rights can end up exploiting the rights in ways counter to the cultural intent of indigenous practitioners. We can even imagine scenarios where the assignees might be able to prohibit the “make, use, or sale” of a traditional medical practice, because under western IP laws, there is not any obligation to remunerate the practitioners of traditional medicine or other indigenous knowledge unless they have established an underlying claim. Of course, since the notion of property is weak or non-existent among indigenous people so using it as a basis for asset protection literally makes no sense. What is desired is not a right to exclude others (a right to exclusive appropriate the benefits). What is desired is a right that prevents misuse (a right to prevent misappropriation).

Intellectual property is, of course, just a subset of intellectual assets, which in turn are a subset of intangible assets. Something can be an asset without being property. Yet without it being property, there is currently no legal way to protect it from misuse and misappropriation. The environment or the climate are also not property. We use a legal fiction to treat them as if they were property, but as traditional knowledge systems highlight, the legal fiction itself distorts what the common asset is and what kind of protection non-property assets deserve. I don’t have a solution for this problem. It is something to mull over.

Pitching to Industry: Fast Track to Market Competition – May 10, 2016

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By: Dan Satinsky, VP of Business Development

NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) is pushing technology commercialization in new, creative ways through its first-ever “Fast Track to Market Competition.” Conceived by Foresight Science & Technology, LaRC’s technology commercialization support contractor, the Office of Innovation at the Office of Strategic Analysis, Communications and Business Development (OSACB) solicited technologies from LaRC’s research community relevant to offshore wind, advanced manufacturing or autonomous unmanned systems to compete for funding awards and accelerated commercialization support.

The seven competing teams went through a two-day pitch training session to orient them on how best to promote the commercial value of their technology. Each team made a seven-minute pitch presentation to a panel of industry experts, composed of Jay Borkland, Apex Companies, LLC.; Ross Tyler, Business Network for Offshore Wind; Luke Chow, Prime Manufacturing Technologies, Inc.; Jeff Johnson, Virginia Tech Center Research Park; Marty Kaszubowski, Center for Enterprise Innovation; and Ed Boudreau, GE Renewable Energy. Norton Kaplan, who initiated the idea of the competition and Daniel Satinsky, who recruited the panel, led the Foresight support team.

The competition was designed to promote the culture of commercialization at LaRC and to acquaint business opinion leaders with the capabilities of LaRC. OSACB is reviewing the panel’s recommendations and will soon announce awards to one or more of the competing technology teams. No matter what the outcome, all of the teams learned more about commercialization and the panelists learned more about LaRC, making winners all around.