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FAQs

For Faculty

What qualifies me for applying to von Liebig funding and advisory services?
Until recently, the von Liebig Center had funded and advised only Jacobs School of Engineering (JSOE) faculty and students and non-JSOE researchers partnering with engineering faculty. Although we still encourage interdisciplinary research, the Center will now welcome applications from all parts of campus including the School of Medicine and Scripps. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

I have previously received angel/venture funding, can I still apply for a grant?
The von Liebig Center provides gap funds to be used to transition the technology from academia to industry. If a privately funded startup has already formed around the technology, then you are not eligible to apply for a von Liebig grant. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

My research is in early phases, am I eligible for funding?
The von Liebig Center funds UCSD technologies with near term commercial potential. The awards may be used for development, testing, or prototype construction; to undertake more specific market research; or to protect intellectual property. We do not fund research. However, the von Liebig Center does provide services to help you assess the commercial potential of your technology. Please do not hesitate to contact the center no matter what stage you feel your technology is at. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

Can I apply if I do not have a disclosure?
No, the technology must have been disclosed to provide a minimum amount of intellectual property protection. Please speak to TechTIPs to file a disclosure before applying for a von Liebig grant. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

How many months prior to the solicitation process should I be in contact with von Liebig Center?
You should be in contact with the von Liebig Center no later than the Statement of Intent deadline. Here is a sample our past deadline schedules:

  • January 15, 2007: Invitation to Apply
  • February 5, 2007: Statement of Intent Due
  • March 5, 2007: Full Proposal Due
  • April 16-20, 2007: Presentations
  • May 16, 2007: Funding Announcements

However, we welcome the opportunity to work with faculty throughout the year and encourage you to come in early with your technology. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

Who are the advisors?
The von Liebig Center business advisors are experienced entrepreneurs and investors with extensive backgrounds in life sciences, IT, software, materials, and electronics. They are employed by the von Liebig Center. Please visit this link for detailed descriptions of the advisors. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

How does an advisor work with me?
When you approach the von Liebig Center with your technology, a business advisor with domain knowledge of the field will be assigned to work with you. Our staff of experienced entrepreneurs and advisors can assist Jacobs School faculty and students in all stages of evaluating the commercial prospects of their inventions, helping develop a commercialization strategy and providing connections to later stage funding. The value from the von Liebig Center goes beyond simply funding the early-stage project. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

How is this grant different from typical federal grants such as those from NIH and NSF?
The von Liebig center funds UCSD technologies with near term commercial potential. The awards may be used for development, testing, or prototype construction; to undertake more specific market research; or to protect intellectual property. We do not fund basic research. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

What is difference between the von Liebig Center, Connect, CCAT, TechTIPs?
All of these entities form the investment ecosystem for technology commercialization around UCSD. TechTIPs is the exclusive licensing agent of UCSD intellectual property. CCAT focuses on investing in technologies that have both military and commercial applications. The von Liebig Center provides business services and early stage gap funding to technologies with near term market potential. Connect provides a platform for entrepreneurs to raise funding for startups. The von Liebig Center works with all these organizations to accelerate the overall commercialization process. Click more information on CCAT and Connect. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

What have been the results of projects funded by von Liebig Center?
Of the over 66 technologies that have received von Liebig Center funding, 20 have resulted in licenses (16 startups), over $71M has been invested in spin-outs companies, one has resulted in a major company sale (Cisco/Netsift). We have several more in near-term pipeline for commercialization. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

How does the technology get commercialized?
Technologies can be commercialized in two ways - through licenses with established companies or through spin out companies. The von Liebig Center provides services that will help determine which of these models would be most appropriate for your technology. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

How long is the commercialization process for a university technology?
The commercialization process may take anywhere from 1 to 15 years. This range is determined by the field of the invention, for instance, life science technologies that undergo FDA regulation take longer to reach market, while software technologies may get there much sooner. In addition, the timeframe of commercialization also depends on which model of commercialization is pursued for the technology. Licenses signed with large companies may result in quicker commercialization of a product versus a venture funded startup. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

How long is the selection process?
The presentations will be reviewed for one month before the award announcements are made. Below is a sample of the schedule from our latest round of funding.

  • April 16-20, 2007: Presentations
  • May 16, 2007: Funding Announcements

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How are projects evaluated before funding?
You will present your technology and business case to a review panel of independent consultants. They will rate your technology on a variety of categories such as technical feasibility, near term market potential, market opportunity, etc. The members of the review panel are industry experts that have been selected to review technologies that match their technical expertise. Past panelist have included leading industry R&D scientists, experienced CEOs, successful entrepreneurs and angel investors. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

What happens if my project does not get funding?
If as a result of the review process it is revealed that your technology may not be suitable for our commercially oriented grant, we will help you find an industrial research collaboration to help accelerate the development of your technology. Our advisors will continue working with you to develop an alternative commercialization strategy that may include reapplying for funding. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

How will the grant be paid out?
The grant will be paid out over the course of 12 months. If you have been selected for funding by the review panel, you will work with your business advisor to set budget and milestones to determine the scheduling of the payments. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

What happens if I am not finished?
At the end of the 12 month period, if your research has not been completed and the funds have not been used, you may request an extension with the approval of the von Liebig Center. If the funds remain unused, you will be required to return them to the von Liebig Center. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

How many projects get funded each year? How many apply for funding?
Proposals are accepted throughout the year, and generally 10 to 12 projects are funded annually. For the Spring 2007 round of solicitations, we received 23 proposals and funded 10 of the projects. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

Can I apply for follow on funding?
Yes, we understand that early stage technologies often require several rounds of funding to accurately assess commercial potential and build prototypes. We have a record of supporting technologies that have been previously funded. However, your technology will still undergo the typical review process. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

What kind of patent/protection can I get?
Protection often comes in three forms, the disclosure, the provisional patent, and the patent. These three forms provide a varying degree of intellectual property protection. Please visit TechTips for more details on intellectual property. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

What is a provisional patent?
According to the USPTO, "A provisional application for patent is a U. S. national application for patent filed in the USPTO under 35 U.S.C. § 111(b). It allows filing without a formal patent claim, oath or declaration, or any information disclosure (prior art) statement. It provides the means to establish an early effective filing date in a later-filed non-provisional patent application filed under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a). It also allows the term "Patent Pending" to be applied in connection with the description of the invention." Please visit USPTO for more information about the merits of filing a provisional patent. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

Who pays for the patent?
If the University is interested in the invention, then all legal expenses and fees for the preparation, prosecution and maintenance of patent filings are paid for by tech transfer office. However, they will try to recover such costs from research sponsors or licensees. Please visit TechTips for more details on intellectual property. ⇑ Back to Faculty FAQs

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For Students

What is the Intellectual Property Policy for students at UCSD?
Any student enrolled at UCSD is subject to the university’s Intellectual Property Policy. If any intellectual property is developed by a student during the course of their research or enrollment at UCSD, the ownership of that intellectual property lies with UCSD. Student inventors enjoy the same rights and benefits as do faculty and staff inventors. ⇑ Back to Students FAQs

I have a business idea; can I apply for von Liebig Center funding?
Yes. As long as your principal investigator is a faculty member of the Jacobs School, you are eligible to apply for funding. ⇑ Back to Students FAQs

What courses in Entrepreneurial education are available at the von Liebig Center?
The courses at the von Liebig Center are geared towards educating students, primarily from the School of Engineering, in Entrepreneurism and start ups. We have four courses that will take you through the various stages of a startup – from identifying commercially viable technologies to raising venture capital. Please see the von Liebig Center website for more information about the von Liebig courses. ⇑ Back to Students FAQs

What is the Technology Commercialization certification program?
Upon completion of all four courses you may receive a certificate in Technology Commercialization from the Von Liebig Center. Please see staff members for more details. ⇑ Back to Students FAQs

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For Start Ups

What is conflict of interest?
A conflict of interest can be defined as "any outside activity or financial interest which interferes with the full and faithful performance of the employee's responsibilities or obligations to the institution". It refers to situations in which financial or other considerations may significantly affect, or have the appearance of affecting, a faculty member's judgment in exercising a duty or responsibility or in the conducting/reporting of research. Please see TechTIPS website for more information on conflict of interest. ⇑ Back to Start Ups FAQs

Can the UCSD faculty take equity in startups based upon their technologies?
Yes, we encourage entrepreneurship and faculty involvement in startups. At the same time, we are aware of the faculty member's potential conflict of interest. He/She must ensure that any such potential conflict can be managed. Please see TechTIPS website for more information on conflict of interest. ⇑ Back to Start Ups FAQs

Can the faculty member perform research for the startup while at UCSD?
No, if the faculty member has significant ownership or involvement in the startup, he/she will not be able to conduct research as the principal investigator. However, the inventor can be involved in the research, for instance, as a technical consultant, pending approval from the Conflict of Interest Committee. Please see TechTIPS website for more information on conflict of interest. ⇑ Back to Start Ups FAQs

Can graduate students be involved in research sponsored by a start-up company?
Yes, they can. However, if the graduate student is a part of the original research that the startup is based upon, the same policies of conflict of interest hold. ⇑ Back to Start Ups FAQs

How much equity should I get in my startup?
The equity you receive will depend on a variety of issues including the organizational structure of the startup and the type of financing chosen for the startup. For example, according to startup workshop panel at MIT, a founding professor can expect one to six percent ownership for a Venture Capital funded technology startup with dilution. On the other hand, a founding professor can expect substantially more ownership for a non-VC funded startup. However, a variety of issues including the valuation of the company and the number of founders may drastically effect the ownership distribution. For more, visit How To Split Equity | http://paulbuchheit.blogspot.com/2007/03/equity-math-for-startups.html | http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_much_equity_does_a_vc_take_when_funding_a_startup.html. ⇑ Back to Start Ups FAQs

Does UCSD hold equity in the startup?
Yes. Your startup will negotiate a license with TechTIPs. These terms vary but generally revolve around an upfront payment, equity, royalties, benchmark or milestone payments and patent costs. ⇑ Back to Start Ups FAQs

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For Industry

What are the qualifications to be a von Liebig Center business advisor (EIR)?
The von Liebig Center business advisors are experienced entrepreneurs and investors with extensive backgrounds in life sciences, IT, software, materials, and electronics. Many have a track record of successful ventures. Please see our website for detailed descriptions of the advisors. ⇑ Back Industry FAQs

What types of services could I provide?
Our staff of experienced entrepreneurs and advisors can assist Jacobs School faculty and students in all stages of evaluating the commercial prospects of their inventions, helping develop a commercialization strategy and providing connections to later stage funding. The value from the von Liebig Center goes beyond simply funding the early-stage project. ⇑ Back Industry FAQs

What is the time commitment expected of a business advisor?
Business advisors are part time employees of the university. The time commitment will depend on the number of projects you will be working on, generally 5-10 projects with varying degrees of activity. ⇑ Back Industry FAQs

What is the role of the von Liebig Center in the overall funding process?
The von Liebig center provides gap funds to be used to transition the technology from the laboratory to market. The awards may be used for development, testing, or prototype construction; to undertake more specific market research; or to protect intellectual property. We do not fund research. Our funds are used to help assess the commercial potential of a technology, and bridge the gap to other sources of private funding. ⇑ Back Industry FAQs

How do I find out about what projects you have?
Visit the following link to get a detailed description of projects that we have funded. For more information about current projects, please contact the Commercialization Director for more details. ⇑ Back Industry FAQs

How do I get involved?
Please Contact the Center Coordinator and follow this link for more details. We are currently seeking experienced business advisors to take on a variety of projects ⇑ Back Industry FAQs

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