NASA defers tech licensing fees for entrepreneurs

• By GCN Staff
• Oct 08, 2015

The Startup NASA initiative allows entrepreneurs to defer fees for the first three years on any of NASA’s 1,200 patented technologies – from materials and coatings to sensors, aeronautics technologies, instrumentation and more.

The initiative addresses two common problems start-ups face: raising capital and securing intellectual property rights.

Finding the technologies available for license is simply a click away. NASA created a streamlined, online patent portal covering 15 categories of its technologies. Once a desired technology is identified, an online application can be filled out and submitted through the website.

Although the license itself is free, the start-up companies must adhere to the following guidelines:

• The offer is open only to companies formed to commercialize the licensed NASA technology.
• "No up-front payment" means NASA waives the initial licensing fees, and there are no minimum fees for the first three years. Once the company starts selling a product, NASA will collect a standard net royalty fee.
• This announcement applies only to non-exclusive licenses, although NASA will consider exclusivity if the start-up wishes to negotiate.
• Companies entering into these licenses are bound by all requirements in federal licensing statutes and NASA policies, including development of a commercialization plan and reporting on efforts to achieve practical application.

"The Startup NASA initiative leverages the results of our cutting-edge research and development so entrepreneurs can take that research -- and some risks -- to create new products and new services," said David Miller, NASA's chief technologist.