Learning Paths & Programs

BU Technology Development offers a full suite of programs to support you as you develop ideas and bring your research to impact. On this page you’ll find suggested programming based on where you are in your journey, your role, and what you’re trying to achieve.

These learning paths are provided as suggestions only. Feel free to pick and choose programs and support based on your objective, or reach out to our office to speak with us about your options.

Define Your Objective(s) Determine what matters most to you, given your personal and professional ambitions.
Web Overview	Read about possible paths to impact: Publication for Broader Adoption Industry Collaboration Licensing Start a Company
Self-paced Tutorials	What is Your Objective Self Assessment: An Introduction Two First Questions
Connect with a Human	Consultation with Technology Development

Identify a Need & Position Your Solution Understand the competitive landscape, learn how the relevant markets operate, and define a preliminary target product profile.
Self-paced Tutorials	Who is Your Customer
Short Training/Program	Value Creation Precelerator
Multi-day Training/Program	Catalyst Spark Fusion I-Corps Teams Program
Connect with a Human	Consultation with Technology Development Guide Program
Connect with Innovation Ecosystem	Mass Connect PI

Create a Plan to Achieve Your Objectives A thoughtful plan, built around your objectives, will describe the steps necessary to successfully commercialize.
Web Overview	Develop Your Strategy
Self-paced Tutorials	Four Paths to Impact
Connect with a Human	Tutoring & Mentorship Program: Moving Innovations in Materials and Hardware from Idea to Commercial Success Consultation with Technology Development

Understand Your Intellectual Property Take steps to understand and protect your intellectual property.
Web Overview	Applying for a Patent US Patent Office Basics
Self-paced Tutorials	Intellectual Property Primer
Connect with a Human	Consultation with Technology Development

Communicate Your Idea Learn to talk about your idea with non-academic audiences using an elevator pitch or a one-pager.
Web Overview	Promote Your Work
Short Training	How to Create Buzz Business Proposal Writing Creating the Perfect Pitch
Connect with a Human	Guide Program Mentorship Program Consultation with Technology Development Consultation with Industry Engagement

Build Connections to Key Stakeholders & Funders Make connections that will advance your idea in the marketplace.
Web Overview	Building a Finance Plan Funding Opportunities Building Your Network
Self-paced Tutorials	Types of Financing You May Not Have Heard Of
Connect with a Human	Guide Program Invasion of the Equity Investors Mentorship Program Consultation with Technology Development Consultation with Industry Engagement One-on-one Tutoring: Regulatory Obligations for Medical Products
Connect with Innovation Ecosystem	BU Ignition Awards Creative Destruction Lab MassBio Innovation Services MassConnect Mass Life Sciences Programs for Businesses Mass Life Sciences Industry, Workforce, and Government Agencies Pillar’s Founder Frequency

Understand Basic Business Concepts Learn business terminology and fundamentals for innovators.
Web Overview	Business 101 for Researchers Building a Finance Plan
Self-paced Tutorial	Business Model Canvas Who is Your Customer Market Sizing The Power of Assumptions Capitalization Tables Types of Financing You May Not Have Heard Of
Connect with a Human	One-on-one Tutoring: Reimbursement Analysis & Strategy Guidance One-on-one Tutoring: Regulatory Obligations for Medical Products
Short Training	Unlocking the Black Box of Business

All Resources & Programs

Building Your Network

Relationships lead to trust. Trust leads to sharing. Sharing leads to progress.

Business 101 for Researchers

Business fundamentals for innovators at Boston University.

Catalyst Program

Is there a market need for your idea? We’ll connect you with business students who will conduct research with potential customers to find out.

Customer Discovery: Assessing the Need for Your Idea

We offer programs, education, and support to help faculty assess their market and customers to increase the likelihood that a product idea will result in a commercial success.

Develop a Strategy

A thoughtful strategy, built around your personal objectives, will help determine the correct path but also describe the steps necessary to successfully commercialize.

Grant Writing Tutorial: The Commercialization Plan

Guide Program

Guides provide one-on-one guidance to PIs who have an interest in solving a problem, creating an impact, or advancing an idea.

Intellectual Property Primer

A detailed discussion of each intellectual property category and the protection afforded each type.

Invasion of the Equity Investors Program

Licensing

One common path to market involves licensing an idea or technology to a third party that is uniquely positioned to produce, market, and sell the innovation as a product.