Publications and Links on Commercialization

The following links and publications provide useful commercialization information to help inventors move a new technology, product, or process from its conceptual stage to the marketplace:

From Invention to Innovation: Commercialization of New Technology by Independent and Small Business Inventors
(PDF 627 KB) Download Adobe Reader. U.S. DOE
This easy-to-read booklet of less than 60 pages still remains one of the best discussions on commercialization available. It is designed to guide inventors through the commercialization process—from concept to engineering prototype to production to market penetration. This process requires you to answer questions about the market, your competition, your business structure, and legal and regulatory requirements. Careful and honest consideration of these questions is crucial for inventors expecting to penetrate the market in a sustained way.

The Licensing Decision
(PDF 13.6 MB). Download Acrobat Reader. U.S. DOE
This document is designed to help small businesses and independent inventors better understand intellectual property licensing. It provides straightforward, clear descriptions of the major issues facing inventors and small firms: making decisions to license for business reasons, finding a licensee, and negotiating a license.

E-Business Institute
The E-Business Institute is the U.S. Small Business Administration's much-improved array of resources for new and existing small businesses. Sponsored by the SBA's Office of Entrepreneurial Development—itself an excellent "source of information and resources"—the E-Business Institute is a virtual campus offering free training courses, workshops, and knowledge resources designed to assist entrepreneurs.

Developing a Business Around the Technology
The NxLeveL™ Training Network's Guide for Business Start-ups is a 30-hour course that addresses questions of vital importance to entrepreneurs. The course includes sessions on developing a business concept, start-up options and market research, business fundamentals, and more.

EntreWorld
An exceptional entrepreneur-focused Web site developed and supported by the Kaufman Foundation. Features information and help for those growing a business or trying to move an innovative idea forward.

National Association for the Self-Employed
Started in 1981, the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is a member-based organization claiming to be the nation's leading resource for the self-employed and micro-businesses (up to 10 employees), providing a broad range of benefits and support to help the smallest businesses succeed. Offers access to Entrepreneurial Connection, a free electronic newsletter for entrepreneurs and the self-employed.

The Business Mentor™ CD-ROM, The Entrepreneur's Business Planning Advisor
Developed with funding from the Marion Ewing Kaufman Foundation, this unique tool uses a simple Question & Answer format to build, save, and print a comprehensive business plan or feasibility plan. Helpful links direct you to value-added information about specific topics, including resources, sample business and feasibility plans, interactive stories from successful entrepreneurs, and more.

"To Beginning Inventors" (An Introduction to Commercialization)
This article by Ed Zimmler of The Entrepreneur Network (TEN) offers independent inventors an introduction to the two main paths of invention commercialization: venturing and liscensing. There is also an article on idea commercialization on the TEN website.

PeerSpectives™
The Edward Lowe Foundation's PeerSpectives Leader Retreat program is a learning experience designed specifically for CEOs of growing second-stage companies who are already members of entrepreneur-support organizations with whom the Foundation works. The curriculum and exercises of the PeerSpectives retreat program help CEOs understand the benefits of searching for new perspectives, reframing problems into opportunities, identifying restrictive patterns in their lives, and finding more than one right answer.

Attracting and Retaining Awesome People CD-ROM
Another valuable tool developed by the Marion Ewing Kaufman Foundation, this resource allows the user to hear and see entrepreneurs describe what they look for in awesome people; then see and hear what awesome people are really looking for in the companies they choose. Includes examples of the policies and procedures used by successful entrepreneurs to build their high-growth businesses and documents you can print and use.

Bank of America's Business Resource Center
Here you'll find free interactive workshops that provide you with the know-how to establish and run a successful business. Get real-world business strategies and industry knowledge from online workshops designed to help your business grow and succeed. The workshops provide in-depth strategies and solutions to help you manage, operate, and build your business and are accessible 24/7 at no charge.