Commercialization Programs
Technology commercialization has been at the heart of Doyletech’s activities since the very beginning. In fact, we were probably the first consulting firm in Canada to specialize in technology transfer from publicly-funded research.
We have completed a wide variety of commercialization studies for clients in both the private and public sectors. Moreover, our experience has gone beyond policy papers, studies, and reports to the development and implementation of commercialization programs leading to the creation of several new companies and the transfer of technology to existing ones.
Our commercialization program for Atomic Energy of Canada Limited led to the direct creation of new companies, including BTI Bubble Technologies International in Chalk River and Delta T-Max in Pembroke.
Our multi-year commercialization program for the Government of Saskatchewan in the 1980s led to the transfer of several technologies from the University of Saskatchewan, the creation of more than 40 companies over a five-year period, and the development of Saskatoon as a major technology cluster with a technology engine focused around the University of Saskatchewan and Innovation Place.
We have been active in technology commercialization activities right across the country; from TRIUMF in Vancouver to communities throughout rural Eastern Ontario, where we have worked with most economic development professionals in the growth and/or creation of technology-intensive companies. We have also assisted private and publicly-traded companies in the identification and commercialization of exploitable technology from their existing operations.
Our founder, Denzil Doyle, outlines many of the techniques we use in the identification, exploitation, and management of technology in his book, Making Technology Happen.
The following outlines our major commercialization service offerings:
Doyletech’s SBDA Receptor Service – Identifying Appropriate Receptors for your Lab’s Technology
Research and development activities are carried out by many science-based departments and agencies (SBDAs) in federal and provincial governments, for reasons that range from assistance with policy formulation to collaboration with industry for the development of new products, services, or processes. Most projects result in a pool of technology that can be exploited elsewhere in government and industry.
We have had considerable experience in identifying receptors for that pool of technology and we have decided to offer a service that we feel will be of interest to research managers and business development officers in publicly-funded laboratories.
The figure below identifies the steps involved in the provision of this service.
The major deliverable the client receives is a report that outlines the results of the above assessments. It will also provide a profile of a typical receptor organization, identify the most likely form(s) of technology transfer, and identify potential exploitation barriers and how they might be addressed.
Doyletech’s Commercialization Toolkit Service – Extracting Technology with BODs
A key ingredient in effective technology commercialization is a clear understanding of the business opportunity represented by a given technology transfer event. Doyletech has pioneered the use of a tool known as a Business Opportunity Document (BOD) that serves this purpose. It can be used by a research laboratory (or other facilities involved in technology transfer) to focus the discussion between the laboratory (facility) and a potential technology exploiter on the products, services, processes that might flow from the technology and the markets that they might address. It is typically a one-page document (two pages at most) with the following format:
| The Business Opportunity: A statement of how an investor will make money from a product/service/process generated by the technology. | |
| The Technology: A brief description of the technology so that potential investors can determine quickly if it fits with their own missions. | |
| The Products/Services and Processes: A brief description of each, along with possible migration strategies. | |
| The Markets: Who will purchase the products/services/processes and in what quantities over some period of time (usually 5 years). | |
| The Investment and Payback: An indication of how capital intensive the exploitation process will be and the timing/magnitude of the payback. |
Our toolkit service can range from the development of a single BOD to a range of BODs covering several different technologies and application areas. We can also provide assistance in terms of managing the pool of intellectual property and BODs.
In addition to public sector clients, Doyletech's Commercialization Toolkit Service can be (and has been) applied to private sector companies. There are many instances where technology is developed by a company as part of its ongoing operations which may have little or no relevancy to its current products and services. Such a situation may represent an excellent opportunity for technology exploitation. However, often the technology is not commercialized because the effort that would be required to 'package it' is too great. Our Commercialization Toolkit Service can help such companies determine if this technology can be sold or licensed to outside companies. The service may be of interest to corporate CEOs, the VPs of Operations or Engineering, as well as to Chief Technology Officers (CTOs).
Doyletech’s TTO Training Service – A Program of Assistance for Incubator Managers / Business Park Managers / Technology Transfer Officers
Over the years, we have provided hands-on assistance and mentorship to several Canadian technology transfer officers, business park and incubator managers. Increasingly, we have been helping officials in several emerging and developing countries. Our TTO Training Service addresses all aspects of effective business development for a technology park and/or incubation facility including: (1) techniques for finding and exploiting technology, (2) the critical role of a new ventures business plan, (3) the use of a Business Opportunity Document as a screening tool, (4) assessing the market demand and investment requirements of the new venture, (5) methods to help students and professors do market research, (6) incubation approaches and methods, (7) IP considerations and negotiation, (8) proven techniques for managing and growing technology companies, (9) how to build local and international networks for assessing business opportunities, (10) developing information pieces for potential entrepreneurs, and (11) how to carry out negotiations with ‘importation’ candidates.
The assistance program is customized depending on the client and the situation. While the core of the program remains the same, components are modified based on whether the client is a business park manager or an incubation facility manager, or a technology transfer officer, or a combination of the three.
For more information on this service targeted at business park / incubation managers (and TTOs) in emerging and developing countries, click on the following link:
| Discussion Paper: Enhancing the Business Development and Incubation Functions |
Sample Projects:
Technology Commercialization Opportunities in Canada’s Resource Industries
Industry Canada
This project involved the development of a report aimed at assessing the commercialization potential of the pool of technology that is developed by Canada’s resource industries and that might be used by other industries for the supply of products, services, and processes to a broad range of markets. That assessment was focused on the size of the pool and on factors that are inhibiting such commercialization. Many corporations that are not classified as high technology corporations generate pools of technology that they use in the delivery of their own products or services and in the improvement of their production and administrative processes. Significant contributors to that pool of technology are the country’s resource industries. Industry Canada was interested in learning more about that pool to determine if it can contribute to more wealth creation for Canadians and/or to the diversification of the country’s economy. The paper provided a framework for the discussion of such topics. It is based on survey work and on discussions with organizations such as trade associations that are in contact with the corporations that generate such technology.
Achieving Economic Viability for the Purolator Courier Fuel Cell (FC) Hybrid Electric Vehicle Project
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and Purolator Courier Ltd.
In this project, we assessed the economic viability of a Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FCHEV) project in terms of the payback on government funding, the barriers that were likely to be encountered, and how they would be overcome. The project involved significant research to understand and model how the various component costs would change over time, and what would be the driving forces for these changes. We organized a national FC symposium which was extremely well-attended by FC companies and researchers, from both Canada and the U.S. There was representation from the major automobile and truck manufacturers as well as from professors and researchers active in this area.
SME Interaction Strategy for NRC
National Research Council Canada - Institute for Microstructural Sciences (NRC-IMS)
This current project supports NRC’s efforts to better connect with SMEs: by identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats relevant to NRC’s objective of increasing SMEs’ innovation capacity. Open-ended discussions will help to identify major barriers and enablers in the relationship. A key initial finding is that NRC could benefit from an engagement strategy and process to support comprehensive interaction with SMEs. It must cover the gamut - from NRC corporate and CISTI to the Institutes, IRAP, and FPTT. This work concentrated on the ICT sector
Inter-Institute Collaboration and Commercialization
National Research Council Canada (NRC)
We have worked with several NRC Institutes to develop mechanisms to encourage better and more collaboration between the different NRC Institutes so as to assist Canadian industry which is now dominated by SMEs.
Program of Technology Transfer and New Firm Creation, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) – Chalk River, Ontario Laboratories
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL)
Under the direction of the AECL in the 1980s, we developed and implemented a program to assist with technology transfer activities. The purpose of the program was to identify technology which can, and should be, commercialized from the Chalk River, Ontario labs of AECL. Based on this hands-on work, several technologies were commercialized along with the creation of new firms. Such firms included BTI (Bubble Technologies International) and DeltaTmax (acquired by Med Eng Systems of Ottawa). Several other firms were created as well.
Finding, Exploiting, and Managing Technology
THECIS – The Centre for Innovation Studies
In this project, we provided recommendations as to how to find technology, how to exploit it, and how to manage a technology-intensive company.
Building a Stronger Environmental Technology Exploitation Capability in Canada
Environment Canada and Industry Canada
The focus of this study was to recommend an appropriate infrastructure for providing technology exploitation services to Canadian developers of environmental technologies. Such services would accelerate the application of technology for solving environmental problems and the creation of wealth for Canadians. The study also provided an overview of Canada’s environmental technology industry and the markets available to it, both domestically and overseas. The study found that the major barriers to a stronger supply capability were regulatory and financial in nature. Other barriers that were identified were referred to as “technical” and “market” barriers. The study recommended the establishment of a facility or network of facilities that would assist firms in overcoming such barriers and that would meet the following criteria: (1) to have linkages to the R&D community, the investment community and to regulatory authorities; (2) to have the ability to assist firms in technology assessment, scale-up and commercialization; (3) to have the ability to function on a national basis; and (4) to be partially funded by the private sector and by other levels of government and operating at arms length from government. In 1993, the Canadian Environmental Technology Advancement Centres were formed, resulting in the establishment of three centres with the mandate to provide technology commercialization assistance to firms across Canada. One of these centres was based in Calgary (CETAC-WEST) and the other two were in Ontario and Quebec.
Assistance with the Establishment of the Cornwall Capital Network (CCN)
City of Cornwall and the Eastern Ontario Training Board
With assistance from Doyletech, the CCN was established to facilitate the introduction of local new economy entrepreneurs to angel investors or venture capitalists, bringing ideas and capital together for the creation of further wealth and prosperity in the Cornwall area. The formation of the CCN was one component of the strategy recommended by Doyletech pursuant to its work with the City of Cornwall and the Eastern Ontario Training Board.
Technology Venturing in Canada: A Guide to the Commercialization of the Results of Federally-Funded Research in your Community
Ministry of State for Science and Technology (now called Industry Canada)
Working with the federal government, we developed a user-friendly handbook to assist policy makers and entrepreneurs as they sought to commercialize technology. It provided a comprehensive overview of the processes involved, the types and sources of assistance that are available, and the pitfalls that may be encountered as technology is transferred out of federal labs and agencies. It also identified tools which may be useful in the commercialization process. This practical handbook became the ‘bible’ of technology transfer in Canada for many years (Govt. call # - CAN/S35/D: T4V4/1986).
Workshops on Technology Commercialization
Waterloo Innovation Centre
A series of technology commercialization workshops were developed and implemented for the Waterloo Innovation Centre (Waterloo, Ontario). These workshops were intended for entrepreneurs with technology-intensive new ventures in mind.
Program of Technology Transfer and New Firm Creation, Saskatoon Technology Cluster
Government of Saskatchewan
Under the direction of the Government of Saskatchewan in the 1980s, we developed and implemented a multi-year program to assist with technology transfer activities in Saskatchewan. The focus of the program was with the University of Saskatchewan and other ‘technology engines’ in the Saskatoon area. We worked with university scientists, professors, technology transfer officers, economic development officials, farmers, and bankers to assist in the creation of new technology companies. This hands-on work led to the direct creation of approximately 40 firms over a five year time period. It has been noted as a major driver in the growth and development of the Saskatoon technology cluster that has since formed around Innovation Place and the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.
Technology Commercialization Assessment for Dofasco Limited
Dofasco Limited
We assisted Dofasco Limited in the identification of technologies, processes, and services which may have the potential to be commercialized by Dofasco. As part of their extensive manufacturing and R&D operations, there is the potential that new or existing technologies or processes may have additional markets outside the company.
One-on-One Mentoring with Kingston Area Entrepreneurs
Kingston Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO)
A mentorship program was implemented by KEDCO to assist local entrepreneurs with their new technology ventures. One-on-one sessions were held with entrepreneurs over an extended period of time. Our role was to advise and assist where we could; based on our extensive experience starting and running technology-intensive companies. For example, entrepreneurs with new business ideas were provided with our assessment of market potential, while mangers of established enterprises were provided will advise on how to manage their operations, or how to develop an effective board of directors.
Assistance with Technology Transfer Activities at TRIUMF
TRIUMF - Canada's National Laboratory for Particle and Nuclear Physics
We assisted in the recruitment of a technology transfer officer and in the establishment of procedures for effective communications between the TTO and the scientists. These procedures placed heavy emphasis on the use of business opportunity documents (BODs) as communications tools.
Barriers to Technology Commercialization in Alberta
Alberta Science and Research Authority (ASRA), Government of Alberta
In partnership with two Calgary-based consulting firms, we prepared a report examining the barriers to technology commercialization in Alberta. Specifically, the study examined: (1) financing and management issues, (2) infrastructure issues, (3) marketing and commercialization issues, and (4) key challenges. Based on the secondary research, interviews, and our experience, recommendations were provided to policy makers, covering such topics as mentoring programs, networking workshops, angel networks, provincial procurement, IP protection, export marketing missions, entrepreneurship training, LSVCCs, provincial R&D tax credits, capital gains offset tax credits, and university vs. commercial technology commercialization.
The Nuts and Bolts of Technology Investing
Report Prepared for the InConference
This report provided an overview of investing in technology-based companies in Canada.
A Preliminary Assessment of the Materials Needs of the Photonics Sector
National Research Council Canada
Some 308 companies in nine countries were contacted to assess the materials needs of the photonics sector. The research indicated that the development and modification of new photonics materials was of critical importance to some (by no means all) of the companies surveyed. The development and modification of new metal alloys was of strong interest to selected companies in the aerospace sector. Potential industry linkages and specific industry needs were identified for NRC.
Linking Research Capacity to Commercialization Capacity
Atlantic Technology Forum
This report examined the link between research capacity and commercialization capacity. Based on our work with industry, techniques for increasing the commercialization of research were provided.
Recommendations Concerning the Exploitation of Ion Implantation Technology Developed at the AECL Chalk River Nuclear Laboratory
AECL Research Company
We provided advice to AECL in negotiating a licensing agreement with manufacturers of ion implantation equipment who have expressed an interest in a device developed at AECL’s Chalk River Nuclear Research Laboratory.
Commercial Applications for Space Technology Developed by Spar Aerospace
The Canadian Space Agency
This assignment identified business opportunities from technology developed by Spar Aerospace Ltd. as part of work done for the Canadian Space Agency. It was assumed that the technologies would be exploited by outside firms who would license the technology from Spar Aerospace. An inventory of technologies was taken; these technologies were then mapped against what are considered to be ‘critical technologies’ by the U.S. Department of Defence and ‘strategic technologies’ by ISTC.