The first two years of the TechPipeline awards program to recognize individuals in the field of technology transfer were a resounding success with many strong submissions. Read about the wonderful accomplishments of the winners from 2024 and 2025.

The growing number of nominations we receive each year shows how important it is to recognize the individuals that keep an entire technology transfer office running smoothly. The TechPipeline Impact Awards provide an opportunity for universities and research organizations to acknowledge and appreciate the team members who enable exceptional operations for the technology transfer office throughout the year, not just on a single project. We’re looking for those people who go beyond their typical duties and come up with innovative ways to help the organization. Recognizing these key individuals for their accomplishments can contribute to job satisfaction and retention, something many offices continue to struggle with. The impact can go beyond just the individual nominated since appreciation can reflect well on the whole team.

You can nominate several people in your office or even self-nominate. The submission form is quick and easy. There are six categories in which to nominate those exceptional people in your office:

• Excellence in Office Operations: Operations staff are the backbone of a successful tech transfer operation. From navigating myriad compliance requirements to proactively managing deadlines to chasing down signatures on campus and so much more, operations staff are often the unsung heroes whose skills and dedication enable licensing staff and office leadership to shine. This award recognizes those individuals that enable the success of their institution through their attention to detail and behind-the-scenes efforts.
• Excellence in Financial Operations: Finance professionals represent a highly specialized role in the tech transfer office, tasked with balancing numerous parties’ interests (inventors, licensees, other institutions) while meeting timely and complex accounting requirements. From filing fees to distributions and every transaction in between, this award acknowledges professionals who keep it all organized and running smoothly.
• Excellence in Marketing and Business Development: Marketing teams support all types of technologies and initiatives, often with only 1 or 2 staff. They are tasked with faculty communications, promoting inventions, connecting with potential licensees, and even serving as the surrogate marketing department for institutional start-ups. The Excellence in Marketing award highlights an individual who has led successful marketing and communications programs to elevate the office’s recognition, brand, and industry engagement.
• Excellence in Licensing: At the end of the day, the primary currency of tech transfer is licensing technologies to benefit society. Excellence in Licensing seeks to award an individual who exceeds expectations with a highly creative license(s) or has demonstrated continued impact with their ability to identify prospects and execute deals effectively.
• Excellence in Legal Counsel (Internal or External Counsel): Smart and dedicated legal counsel is critical to ensuring a productive yet protective licensing practice. This award identifies individuals who have served as wise and practical advisors to their tech transfer office(s) in navigating intellectual property processes and/or dealing with challenging legal cases while always protecting the institution’s interests. Nominations can be for institutional counsel or attorneys at external law firms working with your institution.
• Excellence in Community Contribution: The Community award recognizes individuals who extend a helping and supportive hand beyond their institution and across the technology transfer industry. These individuals organize conference panels, host webinars, and regularly lend their experience and expertise to help solve challenges in the profession. These individuals see the value in sharing ideas and expertise to “raise all boats” across the tech transfer community.

Remember, anyone can submit a nomination, including a self-nomination, and no subscription to TechPipeline is needed. There is also a downloadable form if you want to plan your answers before committing to the online form. Celebrate the influence and impact individuals in your office have on our ecosystem through the simple nomination form. Deadline for submission is October 30, 2026, with award announcement in December. We’re looking forward to hearing about you and your colleagues.

Relevant Articles: https://techpipeline.com/article/even-if-you-dont-win-you-win-why-awards-programs-are-good-practice-for-ttos/