IMPACTT RESOURCE LIBRARY
This resource library is for all IMPACTT program students.
Resources and the associated links change periodically.
If a link is invalid, search via Google or similar for the resource.
This library was last updated September 1, 2025.
I. Technology Discovery & Patent Exploration
Federal Lab Technology Transfer Websites:
NASA Technology Transfer:
Website: https://technology.nasa.gov/
Focus: Aerospace, engineering, materials science.
Tip: Explore their "Spinoff" publications for commercialization examples.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Technology Transfer:
Website: https://www.techtransfer.nih.gov/
Focus: Biomedical research, pharmaceuticals, medical devices.
Tip: Check out Partnership resources for Startups, Licensing, etc.
Department of Energy (DOE) Lab Partnering Service
Website: https://labpartnering.org/
Focus: Energy, environmental technologies, advanced materials.
Search experts, facilities, licensable technologies, and success stories aligned to your interest.
Tip: Check out the Visual Intellectual Property Search.
TechLink:
Website: https://techlinkcenter.org/
Focus: Facilitates technology transfer (discovery and licensing) from federal laboratories to businesses.
Tip: Provides resources and support for licensing and commercialization.
Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC):
Website: https://federallabs.org/
Focus: National network of federal laboratories, providing resources and support for tech transfer.
Tip: Excellent for finding partnership opportunities and understanding federal lab technology.
Indiana Research Universities - Technology Transfer Offices:
Purdue Innovates:
Website: https://purdueinnovates.org/otc/
Focus: Wide range of technologies, with strengths in engineering and agriculture.
Tip: Look for their "Available Technologies" section.
Indiana University Innovation and Commercialization Office:
Website: https://research.iu.edu/innovation-commercialization/iu-technologies/index.html
Focus: Life sciences, information technology, and physical sciences.
Tip: Explore their online patent database.
University of Notre Dame Technology Transfer:
Website: https://nd.portals.in-part.com/
Focus: A range of technologies.
Tip: Look for their available technologies, and entrepreneurship resources, like the Idea Center.
Patent Databases:
USPTO Patent Search:
Website: https://www.uspto.gov/patents/search
Focus: Comprehensive database of US patents.
Tip: Use keywords and filters to find relevant patents.
Flintbox:
Website: https://www.flintbox.com/
Focus: Online platform for technology transfer, showcasing available technologies from universities and research institutions.
Tip: This is great for browsing available technologies and licensing opportunities.
Note: Many labs and universities have their own Flintbox site.
Google Scholar (check box to include patents):
Website: https://scholar.google.com/
Focus: Research publications, includes global patent coverage.
Tip: Useful for prior art searches across research and patents.
II. Business Development & Market Research:
Business Model, Readiness & Validation:
Lean Canvas:
Online Resources: Search "Lean Canvas template" for downloadable PDFs and interactive tools.
Tip: Create digital versions using Google Docs or similar platforms that can be updated as you learn and validate hypotheses.
Search YouTube for tutorials.
Value Proposition Canvas:
Online Resources: Search "Value Proposition Canvas" for templates and tutorials from Strategyzer.
Tip: Focus on customer interviews for validation.
Search Youtube for tutorials.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
Focus: A guide that helps users evaluate the readiness of a technology for commercialization, using a scale of 1-9.
Market Readiness Level (MRL)
Website: https://www.starbridgevc.com/market-readiness-levels
Focus: A guide that helps users evaluate the readiness of a product for market entry, using a scale of 1-9.
Adoption Readiness Level (ARL)
Website: https://www.energy.gov/technologytransitions/adoption-readiness-levels-arl-framework
Focus: A guide that helps users evaluate the readiness of a technology for adoption by industry partners, using a scale of 1-9.
Wendy Kennedy Institute
Website: www.wendykennedy.com
Focus: A website and resource platform offering business coaching, mentorship, and guidance on business model development and validation, including tools and resources for creating and testing business models.
Tip: Watch the WKI webinar on Technology Commercialization.
Y Startup School
Website: https://www.startupschool.org/
Focus: Free online course on how to start a startup.
Market Research:
Google Trends:
Website: https://trends.google.com/trends/
Focus: Analyzing search trends and market interest.
Tip: Compare keywords and identify emerging trends.
SurveyMonkey:
Website: https://www.surveymonkey.com/
Focus: Creating and distributing online surveys.
Tip: You can use the free version to quantify the initial market of what you learn via customer discovery.
IBISWorld
Website: www.ibisworld.com
A platform that provides market research reports and data, helping users understand industry trends and market potential.
Statista
Website: http://www.statista.com
A platform that provides market data and statistics, helping users understand industry trends and market potential.
III. Startup Support & Mentorship:
Indiana Resources:
Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC):
Website: https://isbdc.org/
Focus: Free business consulting, training, and resources.
Tip: Students can find their local office and access online resources.
SCORE Mentors:
Website: https://www.score.org/
Focus: Free mentorship from experienced business professionals.
Tip: Students can find local mentors and access online workshops.
Elevate Ventures:
Website: https://elevateventures.com/
Focus: Provides venture capital and entrepreneurial support to Indiana startups.
Tip: A source for funding and connections.
Flywheel Fund:
Website: https://flywheelfund.vc/
Focus: Early-stage investment in Indiana.
Tip: Regionally focused investment.
TechPoint:
Website: https://techpoint.org/
Focus: Accelerates the growth of Indiana's tech community.
Tip: Networking, resources, and events for tech startups.
Applied Research Institute (ARI):
Website: https://www.theari.us/en/
Focus: Facilitates collaboration between academic and industry partners, particularly in advanced manufacturing and national security.
Tip: See support for SBIR/STTR and Innovation Voucher Grants.
National Science Foundation (NSF):
Website: https://seedfund.nsf.gov/
Focus: Funding and support for technology transfer through programs like the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR).
Tip: Explore their programs for funding opportunities and resources.
Crowdfunding Platforms:
Kickstarter:
Website: https://www.kickstarter.com/
Focus: Project-based funding for creative projects.
Tip: Explore successful campaigns for inspiration.
Indiegogo:
Website: https://www.indiegogo.com/
Focus: Flexible funding options for a variety of projects.
Tip: Compare features with Kickstarter.
IV. Prototyping and MVP
Pretotyping.org
Website: www.pretotyping.org
Pretotyping is a set of tools, techniques, and tactics designed to help you validate any idea for a new product quickly, objectively, and accurately.
Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
Search for MVP tutorials and resources that fit your technology.
Tip: Watch Y Combinator’s How to plan an MVP.
Slicing pie
Website: https://slicingpie.com/
Valuable for problems to avoid when partnering in a startup, especially sharing equity. The methodology is effective, but not always necessary. The lessons from the book and other advice are excellent. See the book, articles, and videos.
Also see Y Combinator’s (and others) video: How to split equity among co-founders
