Florida State University is a public research university in Tallahassee whose commercialization path runs through the Florida State University Research Foundation and a startup license built for faculty founders.
Commercialization runs through FSU Commercialization. The transfer of university technology is licensed by the Florida State University Research Foundation. Inventors disclose through Sophia, and the office evaluates patenting and licensing. When a U.S. patent issues, inventors receive a $500 payment. Royalty income is split 85% to inventors on the first $10,000, then 40% to inventors, 30% to the department or unit, and 30% to the university on net income above that.
- FAST START FSU
A standard license for a new company created to commercialize FSU intellectual property, with at least one creator-founder holding 20% equity and employed by FSU. No upfront licensing fee. The Research Foundation takes a 5% equity stake, non-dilutable until investment or pre-money valuation reaches $2 million. No royalties in years 1–3. After that, royalties are 2% for drugs and therapeutics, 5% for training materials, know-how, copyrights, and trademarks, and 3% for other technologies. The startup pays 20% of sublicense revenue. - IGNITE-FSU
Backed by a $6 million, four-year National Science Foundation Accelerating Research Translation award. The Seed Translational Research Project program has awarded more than $500,000 in a second round, selecting six projects from 66 letters of intent and 30 applications. Projects are milestone-driven and meant to clear a commercialization obstacle in under a year. IGNITE also partners with the Tallahassee incubator Domi Station. - SBIR and STTR
Faculty can join small-business awards. If the proposal depends on FSU intellectual property, the company must disclose that at application and complete an option or license before a research agreement is finalized.
Investors and founders can reach Valerie McDevitt, associate vice president for strategic partnerships and innovation, through FSU Commercialization.
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