About OEIP

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC INNOVATION AND PARTNERSHIPS (OEIP)

OEIP was established in 2008 to (1) more effectively market knowledge-based assets, (2) stimulate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within the university – students, faculty, and partnerships, and (3) contribute to social and economic development within the state and region. Today, OEIP is an economic development portal, enabling outside entities to access UD’s knowledge-based assets to support economic development. OEIP is a focal point connecting idea generation, intellectual property management, technology transfer, proof of concept and commercialization resources, workforce development, and extensive business advisory services to cultivate early-stage companies and industry partnerships. With part of its focus on discovering innovations, OEIP assists in developing and marketing intellectual property to commercialize these assets into marketable opportunities and/or new businesses. The University’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO), Delaware Small Business Development Center (DSBDC), and APEX Accelerator Delaware (formerly PTAC) are units of OEIP that perform as an integrated ecosystem to meet technology and business needs of the university, the state, and region.

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OFFICE

The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) assists faculty, researchers, staff, and students in commercializing ideas and technologies discovered and developed at the University of Delaware. To create the most significant good possible from these assets, the TTO markets and commercializes assets through licensing, industry research partnerships, or start-up opportunities. The TTO manages and facilitates this process – working with faculty, staff, students, and innovators – to assist with invention disclosure, patent issuance, and patent protection. UD leverages its scale and experience to absorb the more arduous aspects of these processes so that creative minds can continue to invent. 

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

The Delaware Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a nationally accredited nonprofit business services organization funded through a Cooperative Agreement between the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the University of Delaware and co-funded by the State of Delaware with a mission to provide business counseling, advising, and training to small businesses across the State. SBDC programs and services support innovators, startups, and existing businesses in formulating and executing strategies to grow and succeed. Services are offered for small businesses across all market segments, with strengths and responsibilities for technology-based small businesses, including services in SBIR/STTR training, proposal development, and commercialization support.

APEX ACCELERATOR DELAWARE

APEX Accelerator Delaware (formerly The Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)) is funded through a Cooperative Agreement between the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and the University of Delaware and co-funded by the State of Delaware with a mission to help businesses across the state compete successfully in the federal, state and local government marketplace. Apex Accelerator DE serves as a resource to provide expert services in procurement assistance to bridge the gap between buyers and suppliers. APEX Accelerator DE provides education and training, counseling, and access to opportunities, contract specifications, procurement histories, and other information to prepare and increase the number of small businesses capable of participating in the bidding process.