At the Office of Commercialization, Industry, and Innovation (OCII), we support UPEI researchers in advancing their work, securing funding, and building impactful partnerships. Our team is here to help you navigate the process of turning your research into real-world solutions, whether through external collaboration, technology licensing, or commercialization.

We offer a range of services designed to help you:

• Identify and connect with external partners
• Secure funding for your research partnerships
• Assess and commercialize your innovations

Let’s work together to help your research reach its full potential.

Proposal Strategy
External Partnerships
Technology Assessment
Commercialization Support

Proposal Strategy

Every great research idea starts somewhere, and sometimes you just need a little guidance to move from concept to actionable research. At OCII, we’re here to help you refine your proposal and connect with the right funding opportunities.

Our support includes:

• Funding Strategy: Together, we’ll look at your research plan through the lens of funding agencies and help refine it to make it as competitive as possible.
• Partnership-Focused Funding: If your research involves external partners, we’ll help you identify funding programs specifically available for collaborative projects.

With many funding opportunities available to encourage applied research and social innovation, we’re here to help you identify and pursue the right one for your work. 

External Partnerships

Sometimes, the best way to move your research forward is by working with an external partner. Whether it's a company, community organization, hospital, or government agency, OCII connects you with the right collaborators.

Here’s how we can support your partnership journey:

• Identifying the Right Partner: We’ll help you find external organizations—businesses, community groups, or government entities—whose goals align with your research.
• Collaboration Models: We’ll help you explore different ways of working together, whether it’s a research collaboration, fee-for-service, or licensing your technology.
• Navigating the Process: From contract negotiations to administrative processes, we’re here to support you in navigating the formal aspects of partnerships.

If you’re ready to explore collaboration opportunities, contact us, and we’ll help you make those connections. 

Technology Assessment

Do you have a research idea, technology, or solution that could have real-world impact? We’re here to help you assess its potential and explore how it could be applied outside the academic world.

Our services in technology assessment include:

• Market Readiness: We help you assess the potential of your technology in real-world applications and identify its market value.
• Intellectual Property (IP): If your idea or technology is commercially viable, we’ll guide you through protecting your intellectual property, including copyrights, patents, and trademarks.
• External Expertise: If needed, we’ll help connect you with experts who can evaluate your technology from an outside perspective and offer valuable insight.

We’ll help you look at your work through the lens of both academia and industry to determine its potential for broader impact.

Commercialization Support

Taking your research to market doesn’t have to be a daunting process. We’re here to help you explore different options and find the best path to bring your ideas to life outside the lab.

Some of the commercialization options we can help with include:

• Technology Licensing: If your research results in a product or solution with market potential, licensing could be a great option. This means another company or organization pays you for the right to use your idea for a set period of time. You can continue focusing on your research, while you and the University earn royalties from the license.
• Spin-Out Companies: If you’re interested in forming your own company to develop and market your innovation, we can help guide you through the process. Starting a spin-out requires time, funding, and a strong entrepreneurial drive. You’ll need access to financing, connections to potential markets, and expertise in areas like accounting, legal, marketing, human resources, and IT. We can help you navigate these challenges and connect you with the resources and networks needed to bring your business idea to life.
• Selling Intellectual Property (IP): If licensing isn’t the right fit, we can guide you through selling your IP outright, receiving compensation while allowing another party to take your innovation forward.

We’ll work with you to find the best approach to move your research from concept to real-world application.