Our mission at Columbia Technology Ventures is to:

•     Facilitate the translation of academic research into practical applications, for the benefit of society on a local, national and global basis

•     Support research, education and teaching at Columbia by generating funding for the University and facilitating partnerships with industry where appropriate

•     Educate and serve as a resource for the Columbia community on matters relating to entrepreneurship, intellectual property, and technology commercialization

Columbia Technology Ventures is widely considered one of the most experienced and successful technology transfer offices in the world.  On average, we receive and triage more than 300 new invention disclosures from faculty, students and staff, execute 50-60 license deals, and help launch 10-12 start-ups each year.  Columbia’s inventions are behind several well-known life-saving or life-improving biopharmaceutical products, including Remicade; ReoPro; Tysabri; Erbitux; Simponi; Zolinza; Synagis; Xalatan / Xalcom; Epogen; Avonex; and Herceptin.

Our success is due to an exceptional base of world-class scientists working in diverse and dynamic areas of science and engineering.  Since the founding of our office in 1982, Columbia inventions have generated significant economic returns and have contributed to advances in a wide range of fields and markets, resulting in hundreds of products and services that touch the daily lives of people all over the world.

Columbia Technology Ventures employs 49 full-time, interdisciplinary staff, including 11 PhDs, 9 JDs, and 8 MBAs, at two offices, on Columbia’s Morningside and Medical Center campuses.  

Our licensing officers, many of whom have significant industry experience, strive to achieve practical solutions that form the basis of a common understanding on which solid relationships can be built. We value partners who also take a flexible approach to deal-making and who appreciate our need to strike a balance between upholding core academic values – seeking knowledge, freedom of publication, and open discourse – and preserving competitive advantage for our partners in the marketplace.

By the nature of academic endeavors, our inventions often require significant additional development in order to succeed as commercially viable products and/or services.  We understand the importance of industry collaborators throughout this process and seek partners who have demonstrated ability and experience in bringing early-stage inventions and technologies to market.

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