GROWING A COMMUNITY OF INNOVATION: PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR EXPANDING THE IMPACT OF UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OFFICES

Technology transfer offices (TTOs) play a vital role in translating academic research into societal and economic value. However, their effectiveness depends not only on operational expertise but also on their ability to cultivate awareness, relationships, and engagement across stakeholders. This article examines strategies for building a community of innovation through internal outreach, community engagement, and educational programming. Drawing on the experience of a resource-constrained university TTO, it presents scalable approaches – including strategic event participation, leadership engagement, faculty champion development, external partnerships, and structured education initiatives – that can be implemented across institutions of varying sizes. These practices demonstrate how sustained communication and relationship-building enhance participation in the technology transfer process and strengthen institutional innovation ecosystems.