UNIVERSITY – BUSINESS – RESEARCH – TECHNOLOGY – INNOVATION – INVESTMENT – COLLABORATION
Technology Transfer Innovation provides consulting expertise on the strategy, governance and operations of university-business interactions, university technology transfer, student entrepreneurship, and proof-of-concept and seed investment funds.
University-Business interactions are of increasing importance to universities, governments and societies. Universities play important roles in teaching and training young people, undertaking fundamental and applied research, and acting as promoters of economic development. Universities play vital roles in local economies as employers and consumers, but also increasingly as hubs of entrepreneurial and business activity. University research feeds new ideas into business and industry; university graduates are the dynamic workforce of new and existing enterprises.
Universities and governments are pouring huge effort and resource into developing environments that allow entrepreneurship and business interactions to thrive. Developing the most appropriate strategy for a university in a certain place at a certain time is a highly complex task. Setting the right governance framework to oversee the implementation of the strategy, and then leading and managing the effective operations and implementation are also complex tasks.
Tom Hockaday is now providing independent technology transfer consulting advice and support through Technology Transfer Innovation. Tom is a highly effective leader and manager, skilled in dealing with complex situations and divergent interests. Tom is one of the leading figures in the world of university technology transfer and university-business interactions. He led Isis Innovation Ltd (renamed Oxford University Innovation Ltd) at the University of Oxford from 2006 until March 2016, growing it into a world leader in technology transfer. Under Tom’s leadership the company sales income increased from £3m to £24.6m, the staff level from 35 to 100 people, supporting the creation of 70 new companies, and with a strong international presence, including subsidiary company in Hong Kong.
Before Oxford, Tom spent seven years in technology transfer at Bristol University, where he was Managing Director of Bristol Innovations Ltd, and four years previously at University College London. In 2003 Tom was Chairman of UNICO, the UK’s university technology transfer association. Tom has advised numerous universities and organisations on technology transfer and innovation management, and spoken at conferences around the world.
Tom has specific expertise in the following areas: technology transfer; intellectual property management; innovation management; early-stage investment finance; seed-fund management and governance; university management; entrepreneurship; company growth, from research to market.
Tom has held a large number of professional positions and appointments during his career in university technology transfer: UNICO – Chairman 2003 (the UK trade association for university technology transfer) Praxis – founding committee member (UK training association, university technology transfer) Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council - Strategic Advisory Network Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council – Advisory Board Innovate UK (Technology Strategy Board) – Emerging Technology & Industry Strategy Group Oxford Entrepreneurs – Senior Member of University student society Oxford Entrepreneurship Centre – Advisory Board Member Oxford Ltd – non-executive director 2001 – 2011 (University brand licensing programme) Non-executive directorships – a number of technology start-up companies. Tom has extensive international experience, involving invited keynotes & lectures, seminar presentations, review panels, in a large number of countries: Africa: Egypt, Morocco, South Africa Americas: USA (Boston, Miami, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco); Colombia, Chile, Mexico Asia: Australia, China (15 visits), Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey Europe: Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland Middle East: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman.
Tom currently holds the following positions: NetVal - Lifetime Honorary Member of the Italian Network of Technology Transfer Offices BeAble Capital, Madrid - Investment Committee Member.
Tom is part of the Critical Friends for Peer Review programme run by ASTP-Proton Peer Review is a service for the members and by the members of ASTP-Proton. The Board of ASTP-Proton will authorize volunteering TTO directors and Senior Technology Managers to provide services under ASTP-Proton auspices. Only experienced, RTTP, Technology Transfer Managers from European TTOs are eligible. More details here ...
