Vanderbilt University is a private research university in Nashville whose commercialization path runs through the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization, with a record disclosure year and a startup pipeline that already includes companies on the Southeast Venture Showcase stage.
Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center reported $1.3 billion in research and development spending in fiscal year 2024, ranking 24th nationally in the NSF HERD survey, up 6% from the prior year. Life sciences accounted for $1.0 billion of that total. Federal sources were $809.7 million. Business sources were $86.1 million.
Commercialization runs through the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization, which serves both the university and the medical center. In fiscal year 2025 the office processed a record 231 invention disclosures from 519 inventors, 197 of them disclosing for the first time. It executed 104 licensing transactions, including 89 license agreements and 15 option agreements, and helped launch 16 startups. Fifty-three U.S. patents were issued, and 284 U.S. patent applications were filed. Revenue was $13.6 million. Industry-sponsored research tied to licensed technologies was $32.8 million.
- Ten-year record
From fiscal year 2016 through 2025: 1,887 inventions disclosed, 611 U.S. patents issued, 929 licenses executed, $305.1 million in revenue, and 66 startups launched. - Innovation Catalyst Fund
Since 2023 the fund has made 39 awards totaling $1.4 million. Of 15 early projects reported, five led to disclosures, five generated licensing deals, and eight supported startups. Follow-on grants and capital have already passed $4 million. Twenty-nine startups launched in the past three years, with 47 projects in the pipeline. - New ventures
The New Venture Development team handles proof of concept, business plans, operator recruitment, and cap tables. Licensing negotiates the startup agreement. Twelve of the 15 option agreements in fiscal year 2025 were with startups.
Investors and founders can reach the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization through the office.
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