Research, innovation, and enterprise (RIE) are cornerstones of Singapore's national strategy to develop a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy and society. A vibrant and robust Innovation and Enterprise (I&E) ecosystem enables successful translation of research outcomes into products, processes, and services, leading to economic and societal benefits for Singapore. This fosters competitiveness and capitalises on new growth areas.
Scaling up the I&E ecosystem is one of the strategic focus areas to drive technology translation and enhance the innovation capabilities of enterprises. This expedites the process of transforming R&D into market-ready products and solutions. The ecosystem serves as a collaborative platform, bringing together key stakeholders from the R&D community, enterprises, government agencies, and regulators. It facilitates the cross-pollination of ideas, knowledge, expertise, and technology, catalysing value creation.
View RIE Plan for more information
The National Intellectual Property Protocol establishes the fundamental principles and guidelines for the utilization and translation of publicly-funded research and development (R&D) outcomes into new products, processes, services, and business models. By adhering to these principles, companies can harness the benefits of publicly-funded R&D and contribute to Singapore's economic, commercial, and societal progress. As a university receiving public funding for our R&D activities, we are committed to complying with the NIP principles.
View National intellectual property Protocol for more information.
Countries recognise the importance of innovation in driving economic prosperity, and universities play a crucial role in shaping the innovation landscape. Many ground-breaking innovations have originated from universities globally, such as DeepMind Technologies, Google, NVIDIA, Akamai Technologies, Carbon, Inc, Moderna Therapeutics, and more. SMU, over the years, has been developing strong deep-tech research capabilities and incrementally making its mark in society and industry.
Intellectual property protection enables the research and innovation community to unleash their creativity without the fear of losing the uniqueness and innovativeness of their work. It grants legal rights to individuals or organizations for their inventions, creations, or unique ideas, fostering innovation, creativity, and opportunities for creators to benefit monetarily.
Understanding intellectual property ownership is crucial, particularly for those involved in research, innovation, or creative endeavours. In a university setting like SMU, intellectual property can stem from the work of faculty, researchers/innovators, staff, and even students. Intellectual property protection allows both inventors/researchers and universities to mitigate infringement risks, utilise the technology for societal impact, enhance the work of other research/technologies/businesses, and generate economic returns in an organised and secure manner for all parties involved.
Intellectual property generated from work can be broadly classified into two categories: registrable and non-registrable.
Registrable intellectual properties include patents, designs, trademarks, etc., which are examined for their novelty or uniqueness and further prosecuted to ensure no other contesting parties have a claim over the invention before the claim date and time in the relevant geography.
Patents: Typically used to protect discoveries, inventions, or innovations with unique functional or utilizable attributes. Patent protection is usually granted for a period of 20 years in a specific country. Protecting a patent at the national and global level involves a significant amount of time (12-30 months), effort, and cost. In SMU, the KTC generally recommends a provisional filing in Singapore first, as it is more cost-effective and recognises inventiveness in countries like the USA for up to 12 months from the provisional filing date. The final decision on the countries where the patent protection is required must be made during this period.
Trademarks: Used to protect distinctive signs, such as logos, names, or slogans, that identify and distinguish goods or services. Trademarks are beneficial for branding and creating customer demand or loyalty. There are no statutory limitations on the lifespan of trademarks, and the registration cost is relatively inexpensive.
Non-registrable intellectual properties include copyright, trade secrets, know-how, data, software, etc. These rights come into force automatically from their inception if the source and secrecy are well protected. Non-disclosure agreements and license agreements become primary means of protecting these assets.
Copyright: Used to protect artistic, literary, and musical works, audio and visual recordings, software, courseware, etc. Copyright safeguards the expression of an idea, not the idea itself. While automatic copyright protection exists upon creating the work, registering with relevant authorities can provide additional legal benefits when contesting an infringement case.
Trade secret: Used to protect valuable and confidential business information that provides a competitive or strategic advantage. Examples include customer lists, chemical formulas or recipes, manufacturing processes, business plans, inventions, etc. Even employees with privileged access to such information must be bound by strict non-disclosure agreements.
For more general information about intellectual property and its types, you can refer to the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
The KTC team at SMU offers tailor-made courses to help innovators and researchers in SMU learn more about intellectual property and its benefits. Feel free to reach out to the KTC team for further assistance.
We have simplified the process for industry, start-ups, and spin-off companies to engage with us in licensing our technology. Here are the steps involved:
Step 1: Understand the purpose for licensing the technology and the business plan around it. This will help us determine how the technology would be effectively utilised.
Step 2: Engage in Term Sheet negotiations with our KTC team. The Term Sheet outlines the key terms and conditions of the licensing agreement, including rights, obligations, and financial considerations.
Step 3: Once the Term Sheet negotiations are completed, proceed to finalise the license agreement with SMU. This agreement will grant you the necessary rights to use the technology for your intended purposes.
Step 4: As per the terms agreed upon in the license agreement, provide periodic performance reports. These reports will help us track the progress and success of the licensed technology in your application.
Please note that the licensing process may vary depending on factors such as the company, the specific intellectual property involved, and the nature of the commercialization opportunity. If you are interested in licensing intellectual property from SMU, please reach out to our KTC team for further information and assistance.
For SMU internal users, additional information can be found through (Intranet Portal).
Business Innovations Generator (BIG) is the flagship incubation programme available to all in SMU through IIE. It is an equity-free, coaching-heavy programme enriched with the opportunity to receive nurturing from an entrepreneur-in-residence and other community members , including mentors, industry experts, and VCs.
Recipients of MOE Decentralised Gap Fund from IIE (Commercialisation Grant) with the intention to create a spin-off company will be required to join BIG to receive help in succeeding in their entrepreneurship journey.
Faculty researchers interested in knowing more about the start-up journey before embarking on a spin-off journey with their intellectual property could be allowed to attend master classes and other valuable sharing sessions exclusively available for the start-ups incubating under BIG.
Start-ups joining BIG with external intellectual property and interested in engaging SMU faculty researchers for further R&D, please reach out to your account manager to facilitate a discussion with the KTC Team.
SMU students who have generated intellectual property as part of their independent work and wish to secure intellectual property before joining BIG could consider consulting their mentor faculty or potential faculty collaborator for this project to explore support in protecting the intellectual property through the university and availing other commercialisation grants to scale the project.
Please reach out to the KTC team for further help.
When industry and university research collaborate, a detailed engagement agreement will be established to ensure smooth functioning for both parties. Several important intellectual property-related aspects need to be covered in the agreement.
Firstly, the agreement should properly record the details of the background intellectual property brought in by each party. If the foreground intellectual property depends on the background intellectual property to function, a commercial license must be obtained from the background license owner(s) to use it.
To determine ownership and rights over the foreground intellectual property for each party, the following details must be established:
There are different licensing models that the parties can consider when entering into a research collaboration agreement:
In a university collaboration project utilising government funding, the intellectual property will be available for the university and other government agencies in Singapore to use for conducting further research and non-commercial purposes.
For further guidance and advice in this matter, please consult the KTC team.
We offer you pathways to develop your entrepreneurial mindset and networks to forge your career in the innovation & entrepreneurship space!
The Global Innovation Immersion (GII) Programme provides students firsthand experiences of innovation & entrepreneurship through global internships in high growth startups, venture capital firms, incubators, accelerators and more. The programme aims to cultivate entrepreneurial mindset & competencies.
IIE supports the clubs with SMU student community that foster entrepreneurial mindset and training under diverse interests and industries. There is no one way to be entrepreneurial!
We offer several awards and scholarships to aspiring entrepreneurs, thanks to the generous support of our donors!
The Global Innovation Immersion Programme offers a 3 months Track.
GII is open to all full-time SMU undergraduates who are returning for at least one semester of study after the programme.
Students should possess an interest in innovation and/or entrepreneurship.
Students should possess maturity to live and work independently in a foreign and fast-paced environment.
The GII selection process involves two rounds:
The first round is initiated by submitting your application and submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Students who pass the first round will be asked to submit content for the second round.
The second round content submissions will involve a pitch in video format and other supporting documents.
Students who successfully pass the second round of the GII selection process will be shortlisted to be potentially matched with GII host employers.
During the matching phase, student candidates will need to brush up on their interview skills as they will have the opportunity to interview with hiring managers that indicate an interest in them.
Internship offers or placements will be provided to student candidates who demonstrate their value and determination.
Spots are highly limited!
Electrifying. Rocket Growth. Eclectic Cultures.
Southeast Asia holds tremendous opportunities for the bold, daring and courageous. Each country has its own unique culture, language and people; but the region is united in its rocket growth.
This is where you’ll build and scale your successful startup. This is where you’ll rise to be king of the mountain. This is Southeast Asia.
Cities Offered: Jakarta (Indonesia), Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam), Bangkok (Thailand), Manila (Philippines), Yangon (Myanmar)
Competitive. Massive Market. Meaningful Relationships.
China is on track to be the world’s largest economy. A powerhouse to be reckoned with. Knowing how to survive and thrive in China means riding on the dragon and discovering opportunities nowhere else offers.
This is where you’ll forge meaningful relationships. This is where you’ll soar with the dragon that shows no sign of slowing down. This is China.
Cities Offered: Beijing, Shanghai
Risk-Taking. Mature Market. Rich Experiences.
Silicon Valley and the surrounding Bay Area remains as the most influential and highly concentrated place for innovation and investment capital. Global titans like Google, Apple and Facebook make their homes in Silicon Valley, but they too were once budding startups with just a dream and a vision. Countless entrepreneurs are following in their footsteps.
This is where you'll be inspired and challenged. This is where your horizons and perception of what's possible will grow. This is America, the land of opportunity.
Cities Offered: San Francisco, New York City
We have partners at innovation hotspots all over the world.
GII students have also explored Copenhagen, Fribourg (Switzerland) and Ghent.
Any worthwhile and challenging endeavour requires preparation. The GII programme is fully immersive even before you sign an employment contract or step on a plane.
GII candidates and interns are exposed to an array of workshops
and training opportunities. Everything from familiarising you with the nuances of the innovation ecosystem to soft and hard skills to get you ready to excel.
Is application competitive? How likely am I to be selected?
Application is selective, as GII looks for students who are innovative, entrepreneurial and confident to embrace the uncertainty and challenges in the startup world. Once you’ve been shortlisted by GII Programme, we’ll match you up with the company and internship of choice. Keep in mind that the company may have additional rounds of interview and screening. We strongly recommend you to put in an application, regardless of what you think your chances are. If you don’t try, you won’t know!
I'm already applying to other internships. Can I apply to GII?
Of course you can! In fact, we encourage you to actively explore options. Keep in mind that GII is not just an overseas internship — it comes with a comprehensive bootcamp training, mentorship & networking opportunities and a host of other privileges that is not typical to internships!
Do I get to choose the companies/ internships?
Yes, we have a diverse range of companies and internship opportunities for you to select from. However, keep in mind that not all opportunities of interest to you may be in the city of choice. You may have to decide which is more important — the city you’re in or the company/internship.
What help/ support is there for me when I'm overseas?
SMU has a structured support system to help you. Your first level of support is the peers around you. They will be closest to you (in physical proximity), so do make friends with them! The second level of support is your host company — we work with host companies to extend support to you in case of emergencies. The third level of support is your in-country mentor. The fourth level of support is the Singapore consulate / embassy in the city.
How much must I pay to participate in GII?
There is no programme fee or application fee associated with GII. If you successfully secure an internship, some expenditures such as travel and living costs may be incurred, if physical overseas internship is allowed. However, there are schemes available such as grants, scholarships, and the internship allowance provided by the hiring company that you can tap on to ensure you don't miss out on this opportunity due to financial constraints.
I'm not sure if I want to be an entrepreneur. Is GII right for me?
Yes! If you are entrepreneurial-minded and love innovation, GII will be a great program for you! GII is designed not just for student entrepreneurs, but for students passionate about innovation and digital transformation. Even if you are not sure about being an entrepreneur, give GII a try. You will not have any regrets!
Will I be alone?
As much as possible, we send at least 3 - 4 students to each city, so you’ll have the opportunity to make new friends.
Will I be given my top choice of city?
We’ll try our best to match you with your top choice of city.
What intern roles have been offered and filled by GII partners in years past?
Some of the more common roles in recent years are: Business Operations, Business Development, Data Analytics, Investment Analyst, Marketing (digital, content, growth), Sales, Software Engineer, UX/UI Research/Design, Project Management, Research Analyst.
What kind of roles are GII interns looking for?
Roles in high demand amongst our student interns include business development, data analytics, digital marketing, finance, and software engineering.
What kind of past work experiences do our students have?
We set the bar considerably high for our student intern candidates. We strive to match companies with students who have already had experience working in a professional environment and/or delivered quality results on significant projects.
How much do we have to pay an intern?
We request that our employers pay our student interns the local market rate for internship allowances. If you’d like to find out what the benchmark is, please contact us at iie-gii@smu.edu.sg.
If I have issues with my intern, what can I do about it?
We put interns through a rigorous assessment, followed by preparation that spans 2 - 3 months prior to the internship. This is usually effective in mitigating most issues. However, should any issues arise, rest assured that you will have access to a dedicated and responsive program manager throughout the entire process.
Can I hire the intern for more than 12 weeks?
If you’re asking this question, we appreciate that you see the value in our students. We seek your understanding that the 12- week period is mapped to the duration of the students’ summer break from their academics. That said, please feel free to extend a return offer to the student for the following summer or upon graduation. Or reach out to us at iie-gii@smu.edu.sg to explore other possibilities.
"As a first time solo traveller, the trip to Stockholm, Sweden seemed daunting, but I felt incredibly welcome at PlasticFri! It was very insightful to learn about sustainability in Sweden, taking a deep dive into the nuances of competing sustainable food packaging options, and developing a go-to-market strategy for the Asia-Pacific markets."
"As a cross-border Acceleration intern, I was thrilled to work alongside some of the most prominent founders and investors. Within my first week, I found myself at a green tech startup demo day, diving into China’s fast-evolving green technologies. My Singaporean background gave me a unique global perspective, acting as a bridge between the East and West, and promoting various cross-border ventures."
"At COLIPI, I had the unique opportunity to apply my marketing skills and passion for photography, videography and drone shooting, working closely with my CEO to prepare a company video for investors. The Lap Opening Day was a highlight, where I had the opportunity to interact with European venture capitalists and partners like Shell. Beyond work, sharing meals and watching the EuroCup livestream with international colleagues created unforgettable moments and gave me deeper insights into European culture, in addition to the weekend travels. This enriching and fun experience under GII is one I highly recommend for future students!"
"Working in an overseas startup was truly a treasure trove of learning opportunities and experiences. I have been exposed to different working cultures worked with colleagues from diverse industry backgrounds, and came in contact with high-level executives. GII was truly enjoyable, and has provided me with new perspectives and possibilites for my future career."
"The GII experience instilled in me the importance of cultural agility, adaptability, and a global mindset. Interacting with diverse individuals, navigating cultural nuances, and working in a dynamic startup environment equipped me with the skills to thrive in any global setting. Moreover, the exposure to different business practices and methodologies broadened my perspective, making me more receptive to new ideas and approaches."
"Interning in China has opened my eyes to the wealth of opportunities available to me, especially in my unique position as a Singaporean. My GII experience has solidified my desire to pursue a global career, and equipped me with the tools and knowledge to bring me one step closer to realizing this goal. I learned that connections are just as important as one’s ability to get you where you want to be. The interns I met had a wealth of global experience; many were Chinese nationals with overseas education, giving them unique perspectives that opened my eyes to the endless opportunities I had yet to explore as an undergraduate.”
"On a personal level, GII has developed my self-learning initiatives. On a professional level, I have developed the acumen to critically discuss new material and information that could be implemented in my work. I have become more adaptable and flexible with integrating new elements in my work and personal life that prepares me more an increasingly globalized and interconnected world."
"I signed up for GII with the objective to nurture my independence and live in a new and unfamiliar environment. I readied myself for the good and the bad. Being overseas and thrusted out of my comfort zone fostered my personal growth in so many unexpected ways, and I was rewarded beyond my expectations. However, my most invaluable takeaway has been the relationships I forged with colleagues and friends in Seoul I interacted with daily. Despite palpable language and cultural barriers, I formed significant relationships that I truly cherish."
"During my 3 months internship at Workstream, I’ve seen the commitment, and high level of excellence from the Bay Area. I’ve been inspired by the many individuals who are both humble and hungry to learn. I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to work closely with my CEO Desmond Lim and learn from him and his amazing team."
Read more about how GII helped me secure a full-time position at Workstream!
"The biggest gain I had from the internship experience is my interpersonal skills. You learn how to make new friends, at work and outside of work, and learn how to network with people better. It is important to come with an open mind if you are keen to join GII. Don't close yourself off to any new experiences, don't have any preconceived notion about the country because most likely, that's going to be wrong."
"I took a bold step out of my comfort zone and embarked on an internship 15,322km away from home (Singapore) in New York City with Twine Labs.
Twine Labs is a category defining workforce analytics product, backed by Silicon Valley’s top VCs and angel investors. Working alongside the founding team, I had the opportunity of impacting various company functions such as recruitment, sales and customer success. This experience would not be possible if not for the support of the AmCham SG's Global Innovation Immersion (GII) Award as well as the GII team."
The Global Innovation Immersion (GII) Programme provides students firsthand experiences of innovation & entrepreneurship through global internships in high growth startups, venture capital firms, incubators, accelerators, and more! The programme aims to cultivate entrepreneurial mindset & competencies. Students gain valuable exposure to global professional networks and entrepreneurial skills that empower them to forge their path in a hyper-competitive job market.
• GII is open to ALL SMU undergraduates returning for one semester.
• With GII, SMU undergraduates students can fulfill the following Graduation Requirements:
Director, Coach Hauz Academy
Vice President, Asia, ACT
Senior Partner, ZNFrontier Venture Partner, Coocapital Shanghai & CEO SSII
Co founder & Partner, L2 Capital
SMU, a research focused university, specialises in deep-tech and cutting-edge technologies. As an engaged city university with a robust portfolio of technologies, we offer licenses for our patented and copyrighted inventions and know-how to industry partners.
Licenses are typically granted when the industry partner has business-driven objectives that require SMU's intellectual property or know-how to achieve technical milestones. Intellectual property and know-how are licensed under various terms to accommodate the specific business needs of the industry partner. In cases where no specific background intellectual property is available, special non-exclusive know-how licenses are established.
Browse SMU technologies available for licensing HERE.
Please engage with KTC team to receive further support.
Engaging with universities that possess research capabilities has proven beneficial for businesses worldwide in continuously developing new products and services. Collaborating with university researchers provides a cost-effective way for businesses to stay relevant, innovative, and competitive by leveraging advanced science and early-stage technologies. Additionally, such co-development projects may be eligible for government grants. To establish a partnership with SMU, please contact the team at the Office of Industry Engagement (OIE).
Please contact them at OIE.
At SMU, new companies are taking shape through our flagship Business Innovation Generator (BIG) incubation program. This program nurtures promising startups and university spin-offs. Take an early look at our emerging startups for potential strategic investment or collaboration opportunities.
View SMU startups at BIG.
When it comes to inventing something as a university student and determining intellectual property ownership, it is crucial to be aware of the policies and agreements in place. Here are some general guidelines:
University-Sponsored Projects: If you are working on a project that is sponsored by your university or a research grant, the intellectual property rights may be subject to specific agreements or policies. Typically, the university retains ownership of intellectual property created by its employees or students while providing inventors or creators with certain rights or royalties.
Independent Research or Coursework: If you're working on an independent project or research outside the scope of university-sponsored initiatives, you may have more ownership rights over the intellectual property you create. However, it is crucial to review any agreements or policies related to your coursework or program to ensure there are no specific provisions regarding intellectual property ownership.
Collaborative Work: If you're collaborating with other students, faculty members, or external partners on a project, it's important to establish clear agreements regarding intellectual property ownership before starting the collaboration. These agreements should outline the rights, responsibilities, and potential commercialization plans for the intellectual property generated.
You may consider consulting your faculty mentor or potential faculty collaborators to explore support in protecting your intellectual property through SMU and accessing other commercialisation grants to scale your project.
For more information on intellectual property and other useful resources, please visit the knowledge centre on this website.
View Global Innovation Immersion if you are interested in applying for overseas internship
View Business Innovations Generator if you are interested in availing incubation support for your start-up
PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and research engineers have the valuable opportunity to actively engage in research under faculty guidance. We highly encourage these students to have a conversation with the KTC team if they are interested in launching a company based on their research project.
For students interested in starting a company with intellectual property, we invite you to explore the SMU technologies available for licensing. You can find more information on available technologies HERE.
If you are interested in collaborating with a research faculty member to establish a research-backed startup, please take a look at our SMU Research Areas and Faculty. KTC provide available support for such collaborative projects.
When starting a new research or invention project, the plans to protect intellectual property through patents, trade secrets, or copyrights, and to commercialise the technology through a spin-off company or potential licensing to the industry, often become downstream or afterthought activities. Therefore, having a business or commercial goal, as well as a societal impact goal, upfront when embarking on a research project, would be very useful and a good practice to follow in order to generate impactful outcomes.
Please explore the following internal and external resources available to perform a business opportunity assessment.
Internal Resources:
External Resources:
TIPS: If you're considering protecting your work with a patent, trade secret, or copyright, please exercise caution when publishing papers or software code on open-source platforms and presenting in public forums or conferences. It's important to avoid disclosing and exposing unique steps, algorithms, source code, etc., in order to preserve the novelty factor.
When you have an invention or a research project that is nearing completion, it is important to consider protecting the intellectual property of your work. Please follow the simple steps given below:
Step 1 – Reach out to KTC team to share about the project and understand various options available.
Step 2 – Complete the Invention Disclosure. Please use the latest & approved Invention Disclosure Form from Contract Document Management System (CDMS).
Step 3 – KTC team will follow SMU's invention protection process (SMU users only).
Step 4 – KTC team will make the technology available and market it through the Tech Offer Portal for industries to engage with and license. The faculty team, as declared in the respective invention disclosure, will be entitled to receive royalties as per SMU's intellectual property policies if SMU successfully collects royalty revenue from licensing.
Step 5 – KTC team will provide full support and entrepreneurial nurturing through IIE's ecosystem to faculty members in their endeavours to commercialise intellectual property with the help of MOE Decentralised Gap Funding.
View SMU's Intellectual Property Policies(SMU users only).
Commercialising intellectual property is a translational research process aimed at utilising inventions or research to create societal impact and generate economic outcomes. Here are some benefits of commercialising intellectual property:
If you are enthusiastic about translating your research to solve real-world commercial problems or create societal impact, please reach out to the KTC team to explore funding opportunities and other forms of support.
(Directly managed by KTC team @ IIE-SMU)
1. MOE DE-CENTRALISED GAP FUNDING (MDGF)
MDGF is one of the funding schemes under Singapore’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2025 strategy. MDGF provides seed funding to facilitate COMMERCIALISATION of university research. MDGF in the form of MD (Market Discovery) and POC (Proof of Concept) types of grants will be offered through a competitive application process.
SMART Innovation Grant
When applying for MDGF or afterwards, if the researcher is interested in availing an additional innovation grant, they can concurrently explore the SMART Innovation Grant from Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART). Similar to MDGF, this grant can be utilised for developing prototypes or conducting proof of concept experiments to determine a go-to-market strategy for the products or services being developed. The application is open throughout the year and will be processed on a needs basis.
Please reach out to KTC Team to plan the next steps.
NRF Central Gap Funding
NRF - Central Gap Funding could be explored if the researcher is interested in scaling the commercialisation efforts on a larger scale. This grant aims to support the translation of research outcomes into products, processes, and/or services that generate economic and societal benefits for Singapore and beyond. Proposals for availing this grant can be submitted via the Application submission channel throughout the year and will be processed on a needs basis.
Please reach out to KTC Team to plan the next steps.
A spin-off company transitioning into an independent start-up can explore additional grants to sustain and support its growth as a business entity. Below are some grants that may be beneficial:
For more information about eligibility, application processes, and frequently asked questions, please refer to the respective links provided.
Since these grants operate on a reimbursable basis, securing a seed round of investment can provide the startup with additional financial resources to meet initial planned expenditures.
Please reach out to the KTC team to plan the next steps and receive guidance on these opportunities.
Managing intellectual property in a research collaboration is crucial to ensure that the rights, ownership, and commercialization opportunities related to the intellectual property are properly addressed & secured.
When SMU collaborates with government agencies or other universities in Singapore, guidelines from the Master Research Collaboration Agreement (MRCA) or other university consortium agreements are followed.
The spirit of the National Intellectual Property protocol is maintained when dealing with intellectual property generated from such collaborations.
It is ideal to establish the lead party for intellectual property protection and commercialization efforts in a research collaboration agreement. If this is not established upfront at the time of entering into an agreement, please reach out to the KTC team to establish the necessary intellectual property agreement between the involved parties.
Research collaboration with private entities generally establishes intellectual property and commercialization rights upfront. It is important to have a clear understanding in this matter as SMU's name could be part of a patent filing carried out independently by the company. Please consult the KTC team for guidance related to intellectual property matters before entering into a research collaboration with private entities.
Here are some examples of other situations where an implied collaboration would take place, requiring guidance and support from the KTC team to establish a formal intellectual property agreement with the involved parties:
The KTC team will assess the situation and recommend necessary steps, including having a conversation with the Technology Transfer Office of the other university, to put formal agreements in place to protect the work and establish ownership, among other considerations.
Co-organising an event with your university's technology transfer office can be a great way to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration within the university community.
The Greenhouse is the epicentre of innovation and entrepreneurship in SMU, where 80-100 start-ups are incubated every year through our dedicated incubation program called Business Innovation Generator (BIG).
Various events take place in this venue, supported by a thriving ecosystem of industry experts, venture capitalists, masterclasses, and our own faculty.
If you are interested in hosting a sharing session, workshop, or class related to knowledge transfer and commercialization, please reach out to book the facility. The space can easily accommodate up to 80 people, with the option to organise a small buffet.
We encourage our community to Explore, Experiment & Enrich themselves and the world at large.
Personal feedback straight from the Community
Sher Maine has over 20 years of experience as a storyteller, starting as a journalist at The Straits Times, and later as a book writer and editorial consultant. With a Communications degree in Journalism, she's authored over 15 books for corporate and government clients, including personal autobiographies, and has written personality profiles on political and government leaders.Sher Maine also has extensive experience in corporate branding and communications across various industries.
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