Patents, Tech Transfer & Funding with Nina Archie

Ms. Archie is a Program Manager at National Security Innovation Network supporting small business companies to help solve DOD problems. Ms. Archie is also a Small Business Innovation Research Reviewer at the National Science Foundation. Ms. Archie has held positions as a former Technology Transfer Specialist at National Institute of Health, and as a former Patent Examiner at the United State Patent and Trademark Office. Ms. Archie has supported and taken roles as co-lead with Black Women Talk Tech. Ms. Archie currently works as a consultant serving clients on projects related to innovation, technology, commercialization, intellectual property, and small business programs.

Connect with her @TheInnovatorConnector

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Transcript

00:00.00
wearabletakeover
Um, and welcome back to another episode of wearable takeover I am your host Lakeishia Greenwaite also known as coach l. Founder of the wearable tech ecosystem called wearable tech ventures and this is where we highlight all of those amazing people in our ecosystem and folks you know what get ready get out something to write some notes today. You are going to need it I am. So excited about today's guest she is known on social media as the innovator connector but her real name is miss Nina Archie and Miss Nina Archie is a program manager at the national security innovation network yes, that was a mouthful. National security innovation network where you support small business companies to help solve department of defense problems. This is a big deal. So Miss Archie is also a small business innovation research reviewer. The national science foundation. So if you've ever heard those letters d o d n sf those are really important letters. This lady is behind all of that. She also has helded positions as a former technology transfer specialist at the national institutes of health and a former patent examiner. At the United States patent and trademark office. Okay folks I told you this is gonna be a power packed episode. She has supported and taken roles as co-lead with black women. Talk tech. So if you've seen any advertisements talking about black women talk tech. This lady is behind all of that she currently works as a consultant. Serving clients on projects related to technology commercialization, intellectual property and small business programs. Welcome us wearable takeover community please join me in virtually welcome Miss Nina Archie the innovator connector who.

02:03.97
Nina Archie
Thank you, Thank you, Glad to be here. Glad to be here. Thank you you for inviting me much.

02:09.47
wearabletakeover
This thank you so much for accepting our invitation and you are highly sought actor and you are truly connected. You know I just have to ask you in None word if you could give me None word because now we're into July and I don't know when our viewers are gonna you know, listen to this. Um, or watch this. But if you couldn't sum up the year of 2022 so far in None word, what would that be.

02:37.50
Nina Archie
Surprises surprises surprises issue RPR I s e s yes.

02:37.78
wearabletakeover
Um, say that again who spell that it surprises surprises. Okay so it's been a year of surprises now you. Are just coming off the end of the black women talk tech conference that was in New York right and then there's been a number of conferences you know for cberr when we say cber folks who tell my sbi are the letters related to do od and all of that. So um.

02:57.83
Nina Archie
Um, yes, yes.

03:11.94
wearabletakeover
There's been a lot of surprises. So what do you think is in store for those that may want to become a tech founder or support a tech founder based off of all of these surprises you've encountered so far.

03:24.80
Nina Archie
Oh that's a really good question so I'll say that I have attended quite a few quite a few take events whether they've been around small business innovation research or take founders. As well as investors and I've done this on both ends. So I've done this mate vainly in the tech I should say more of the tech arena of tech founders that are more in the public industry per se and then I've also or just a private industry per se and then I've also attended some events that have been in the tech industry as it relates to government. Um and in government organizations also supporting. Ah you know tech founders as well. So what I was. Say in the future that I do start I am starting to see a lot of is really truly truly a lot of innovation and ecosystem building between the but between both which is public sector as well as private sector even in my current role now. Um, there's a lot of outreach to ah public organizations. There's a lot of you know, basically collaboration with other organizations whether they're government or private and so I really have seen a really in the small business innovation arena. A lot of really good collaborative opportunities that support small business tech people or small business professionals that are in tech and innovation. Basically that you know are being being able to now get some of those resources or you know at least get insight. From a government perspective and what is out there through government as well as what as well as private I'll give you an example. So recently I was scrolling through my Linkedin and I ran across an event with Goldman Sachs and just so happened. Um, you know, basically department of defense was actually office of small business programs was actually asked to actually also take part in that because they have a cyber security training program for small business professionals and so here is a private company Goman tax people know should know.

05:35.98
wearabletakeover
Um, behind.

05:37.92
Nina Archie
Of Goldman Zas they're really big on you know, basically helping with investments. They do a lot of support. They support a lot of different entrepreneurs and regard the capital and just do a lot of different programs to really you know help um entrepreneurs or people that are interested in becoming small business owners. So. It's really. Good to have seen that there is going to be a program on the none. That's actually supporting small business owners that basically need cybersec security training or you know need to know or and have meeson find out more information about cyber security as it relates to the defense industry base. So that's just an example that I that I personally you know have seen or that it's coming up but I've also seen like I said in the past where I'm starting to see these different. You know, government organizations such as the small business administration working with you know organizations that are either nonprofits. Or you know, just basically anybody in the innovation ecosystem to really support innovation as a related small business.

06:38.60
wearabletakeover
And I love it because you stay in the know you know everything pretty much almost everything that's happening and that's why I am wondering you did when you do I'm encouraging all of our listeners to make sure that they're following you on Linkedin making sure that they're following you on Instagram because.

06:44.16
Nina Archie
I Don't know about that way.

06:57.79
wearabletakeover
You always know something new that's happening and and that's incredibly important. What's also encouraging is that we hear you say there's a collaborative mindset that's taking place Um, specifically in innovation So build in a bridge and identifying useful resources because we came from.

07:08.64
Nina Archie
Um, yeah.

07:17.79
wearabletakeover
A time where people would say oh there's stuff out there and then you would have to go through a maze in a couple of years in order to find what the resource was and then to even see if you qualify for so it sounds like you're saying that barrier is that barrier is in in a sense being eliminated is that right.

07:33.32
Nina Archie
Yeah I would say yeah the barrier of awareness is being lessened I guess and some aspects I still feel like you know there's still an ecosystem that you kind of need to get into and you know there's still some some you know? ah. Arenas that you know you still kind of need to kind of infiltrate I Guess you should say in for life of a better word. But yes, the information is out there I think all you know sometimes it's always been like the information has been out there but like you say where how do you get that access. How do you get that awareness I think those some of those barriers or at least people I should say this people are trying to make efforts.

08:09.32
wearabletakeover
Good.

08:10.93
Nina Archie
To remove those barriers they're trying to do more things to remove barriers in order for people to have more access and awareness. Yes.

08:16.97
wearabletakeover
Okay I Love it. So Let's let's take our viewers through a journey on some of your roles and then we definitely want to dig into this particular episode. Um some content related around your experience as a patent examiner because. Here at warble Takeover as well as at warble tech Ventures. We are Advocatecas and we love uspto so folks but we definitely want to talk about that and then we'll get into the technology transfer and I know we're going to have to have another episode because there's just so much information related to that. But let's start with the black woman Talk Tech. Could you tell our audience. What is black woman talk Tech What's the importance of it and you know what's your role and where do you see it going.

08:59.94
Nina Archie
Okay, so my role currently is actually I guess at this point a Dc ambassador. Um, they used to have chapters but they did this decide to Dis solve of their of their chapters but they but all of the chapter leaves are pretty much ambassadors. So my role. At this point as an active um black women top tick is to basically I'm still a member. Um, but I am an ambassador and so I may not necessarily always you know, ah put on programming like I did before. So in a previous role as a chapter lead I put on several different programs. You know, maybe quarterly along with another co-lead and so now I've transitioned more into more of a support role or promoting you know a lot of their different events or you know just if there are some things that are going on. Um, you know that I can't support. You know within you know, different communities I do that as well and then I have you know? Um, actually you know worked and supported some of their programming that they had so one of the programs that they did do was black students talk tech and I had a really good opportunity to work with them. Ah, with that particular program. Also so yes.

10:11.39
wearabletakeover
Very nice and for those that are just hearing this black woman talk tech for the none time how long has this organization been around. Um you know they've they've made tremendous waves over this past year what what can we expect from black women talk tech in the future.

10:28.58
Nina Archie
Oh So I will say that they are going to continue to strive. They have been around for for quite some time they have been established for quite some time especially within the ah tech ecosystem a lot of. People who may not necessarily know they did start due to their story of you know members that you know basically were trying to find those resources. You know as a black women that was interested in tech as well as entrepreneurship and so their their story is a very. Ah, really, really good story in regards to you know two I should say 3 ah founders coming together and really wanting to pretty much you know make resources acceptable to you know, black women that are that are tech professionals or they are tech entrepreneurs. I Think that you know one of the things I can honestly say that I really? Ah, you know like about that ah like about black women's topic and organization is the resources and ah and they're also the collaborationsions that they that they have that they try to provide for community. Um, and there's nothing like you know I am not I should say this I'm not necessarily a serial entrepreneur but you know I've been in the innovation ah ecosystem in the tech industry for a while and anybody will tell you that entrepreneurship is not easy. Um, and so with you, you know trying to you know move from entrepreneurship to startup to small business or however, you're you know wherever your path is um it it can be. You know, not. It's it's not the easiest and so having a community that you know allows you to you know at least provide some form of access. Um, of resources to you as well as just some other like-minded individuals. Um, you know is a really good benefit ah to to society one but also like I said to to community and so I think that if anything you know, black women um top 10 They definitely provide that. For their members for you know people who attend their conferences. They have a lot of really good sound as well as value that they contribute to society in that way.

12:41.64
wearabletakeover
Um, and I want to thank black women talk tech for sponsoring us this year Twenty Twenty Two we at first we were gonna be there in person but we ended up attending virtually the conference that was in New York and as you said already the community is incredibly valuable and there's mentorship of things available within that community. So thank you to that organization for existing and for assisting female founders and those in the innovation ecosystem is is very much so needed. Now. We're going to transition into your role as a former patent examiner. Um, first of all, how does None become a patent examiner.

13:23.54
Nina Archie
Um, but. Yeah, that's a really good question I'll just tell you that a patent examiner basically will likely have a tech tech background tech is a very broad based you know, um I should say a broadbes word. So when I say tech um I would say just technical background in general. Um, but there are some people who focus on business method patent applications. So I will also say that they problem they may have a business background as well. But most patent examiners I do know they do have ah ah some some form of a technology background in some in some form. Form shape or form. It could be engineering. It may be bio maybe something like I said related to business methods as well as let me just also you know even go even further and say that you know along with tech There are some people who are into art. So they do have some um people that are into like design and and furniture. So I think there's some patents that are around that too. So I'll just point out that it's not just engineering intake I want to also say that there is some. There are some other patent. Um, we call them a tech areas. That you know also focus on some other areas too that are still related to innovation because when people again when you say take an innovation people always assume is I t or you know it's a science and so you know innovation could be anything that pretty much you create because that is what intellectual property is. Um, so yes, there are examiners that have to examine applications that come through the door that you know are focused on some other you know, subject matter areas that are related to you know something dealing with I should say you know arts or design as well or even furniture for that matter. So. So yeah I would say that and then like I said before how does one become a fan examiner so you know just like the same way you would apply for any other role with Usa Jobs That Gov that's where I did I applied for a role in 2006 with the us patent and trademark office and I basically started working there and I worked there for none all the way up to 8 years as an examiner and I had opportunity to examine several different ah patent applications mainly again in more of the biotech area.

15:56.72
Nina Archie
But I did have an opportunity to his expand through some other areas as well because once you're a pan examiner I will say that you you you have have ah a little bit of an upper leg to kind of look at some other areas of art. Um as well and we what I mean by art is your your knowledge on ah some of the other areas. Ah, may not. You may not be heavily you know into this particular area but you know how to examine a pain. That's our.

16:21.70
wearabletakeover
Okay, so that's that's valuable advice here. So for those that may be saying you know what I'm going to file a patent and let's give them the cheat code real quick right? because we already know we're going to send them over to Uspto gov. But. Ah, what are some steps that you recommend for someone that may be saying I think I have something that deserves to be Patented. What are some of those key recommendations to get them started and into the process and how much money should they have on hand to get started in this process.

16:52.34
Nina Archie
Yeah, those are some really good questions. So the None thing I would say if you are a purse if first of all, if you're a pro se applicant which means you an entrepreneur. So this audience is catered to entrepreneurs not a company or you know a whale size you know company. I would say that you know I would go the route none of uspto has a tool actually on their website that will allow you to basically walk you through the process of answering certain questions to get you to basically you determining whether or not you may have. You know you what type of ip do you add intellectual property. Do you actually have so. That's one really really good. Step um, and in regards to the fees there are some basic there are some fees that um for everyone I guess I should say but None of the things I would say is for you know, an entrepreneur small business. They do have basically some I wouldn't say they call them discounted but they do have some some fees that may not be as much as someone that is you know, basically a large company as well. And they also have I believe like now. Um they do have some pro bono you know programs. Um for entrepreneurs or small businesses that want to actually file an application now you are you know like a company where you know you probably you may have the funding. To you know, go through the process then they do have again on their website. You know all of the costs and the fees that you know it's going to take to submit and then in regards to you know you actually apply for you know that you of course go to a patent attorney. Um, they likely that pay an attorney will have some form of process. They may have like a consultation none and then you're you're moving forward with that particular process with that particular attorney that's for you know whether you're entrepreneurs small business or any any business for that matter. Um I will tell you that some people and you know and I'm not going to say that this is necessarily ah ah, something that I would necessarily recommend, but there are some people that have actually um, basically worked with someone else and wrote their application themselves as a pro say applicant to cut down on their fees. Um, in order to you know, basically at least get it through the door and then you know possibly started working with someone. Um, after that working with an attorney you know after that. So most people will tell you to you know, just really get an attorney but I will say that there.

19:19.55
Nina Archie
If You are a pro say applicant you you can actually file by yourself and I have actually examined applications where the entrepreneur you know, actually filed by themselves and you know you're really trying to work with them and talk them through the prosecution you know and everything. So. So yes, you can. Basically hire an attorney or you can you know basically go forth and do this yourself.

19:39.77
wearabletakeover
Okay, so that's good to know folks so you can do this yourself because I know some folks are saying hey we don't have any more money for an attorney right now right? But there's a process and there are some programs that you can apply for um and if you listen to our prior episode. We discuss some of those resources as well. But it sounds like pretty much everything is already laid out at Uspto Daca is that right.

20:01.63
Nina Archie
Yeah I would say that you know in regards to resources. They seem to have done a really good job of providing a lot of um tools and resources for. For anyway, you know, basically that needs to know or has any questions about you know the Usbto patent process or even the trademark process for that matter. Um I will tell you that you know in regards to trademarks you with that particular process people will recommend you know definitely to. Hire an attorney like right away unless you're again like very familiar with like a lot of the things that you're going to have to do when you when you file initially and they have to do with um you know certain codes and things you have to put in for you know whatever the logo that you're submitting for. And I may have said cold wrong, but people in the I P Arena know what I mean? Ah, but I will just say tell you this um I would say that pro say applicants can you know my my recommendation always is to you know, read through the information. If you feel like you know you are able to do this yourself, then know that you know you will be filing. You know, see how much it will cost your cost benefit. You know, cost risk analysis as to if that will be the best bet and then there are some people. That you know once you get your none office section back whether it's from the patent examiner side or the trademark examiner side um an attorney will you know basic if you needs to go to an attorney at that point you could very well go to an attorney and they could you know pretty much um, either take it on or work with you in regards to like how that's going to go. After you have submitted and filed so that is not something uncommon, um, you know, basically what a term I think they think they I want to say that they're going to you know do the same thing with the patent prosecution so they'll send you something back's probably going to be something in there in regard. So what they've rejected. And why and you know that's when usually somebody's like I don't get this or I don't understand this and you know that's when they may reach out to an attorney and say hey I need I need some more assistance here.

22:08.99
wearabletakeover
Okay, and then folks. Also if you go to not only uspto gov. But if you go to Youtube and watch the prior year's innovation conferences. We've been a part of that for the past 2 or maybe 3 years there's a lot of resources and recorded talks and programs that are there as well. So if you find it, you just don't like to read you like to hear things. Um, you can hear some of that same advice. Not only here on our podcast but also on the uspto channel in particular. But more importantly, why is a patent important. Why would someone want to pursue. Ah, process of a patent.

22:47.84
Nina Archie
So Your inial property is like ownership Again. It's pretty much like your own property for 20 years so you know basically it excludes other people from basically Ony. Making selling your particular property unless they go through you know again, some form of a licensing agreement where again, there's probably some form of a negotiation between you and another party where maybe there's a percentage of them. You know basically giving you some form of. Funds for you know them using your property. So yeah, you you want to be able protect it because if it's out there and you don't protect it if someone comes up and they make they make the same thing you have and they're making money off of it on top of that then you know you're gonna be feeling like you know for all my. Bliss went in tears into this or you know I basically could have been making you know money off of something but here somebody else is doing it and then you feel you know like maybe you have to you know, take them to court or whatever the case may be so yeah I would just say that you know if anything it's more of a situation where you want to be protected because. That is a sense of value that becomes value your your your intellectual property is becoming valuable to you.

24:05.48
wearabletakeover
I love it. I love it. Okay, so folks those are some resources you know once you've developed a product or an idea and you're working on introducing that into the marketplace. You definitely want to pay attention to that. But let's go back to the beginning right. And so Nina you have worked the entire spectrum. It seems like of a process from idea to commercialization and can you give our um, our audience an idea of what it is exactly you have done at Nsf. And then how that has led to a pathway of working at a tech transfer office.

24:48.70
Nina Archie
Ah, um, so I'll tell you that actually our worked at the tick turns were off of the 4 and so so when I love yes so when I love the patent office I actually then transitioned into some roles that were more in the private sector.

24:54.36
wearabletakeover
Oh okay.

25:05.73
Nina Archie
And then transmi back to working with national institute of health and working at their tech transfer office. So tech transfer was really what is not exactly similar but what I would say is that take transfer deals more white with like almost like contractual agreements between different parties. So you have you know an organization that you work for they have scientists or people that they basically have some form of research or science that they are trying to move forward and there's got to be some things that are written to make sure that everything is protected or something were to go. Go a certain direction like everybody's in agreement but whatever's going on in that particular contract and so that's really you know what a tech transfer every None transfer office went differently but that is really what a tax transfer office essentially does is try to really facilitate and push forward.

25:44.82
wearabletakeover
Um, here.

25:59.80
Nina Archie
The technology that is that basically 2 None or more people could be collaborating on and within that do you have you know again, certain language that needs to be in order in order to make sure that you know there's not going to be any issues as these people are are trying to come together. To you know move? Whatever research forward. Um, and so that role actually helped me get a little bit more involved with sivers because I learned a lot about sis which is small business innovation research grant proposals. While I was working in tech transfer and so while I was working in take transfer I got a I got an idea of learning about those particular grant proposals and so basically it wasn't until last year I just applied I didn't even know that the national science foundation. Allow reviewers to review grant proposals I had no idea I just happened to be looking online and really just saw an opportunity and so I applied for for it to be a commercial reviewer and it really helped because again.

26:56.16
wearabletakeover
Are.

27:09.21
Nina Archie
I you know was aware of Grant Proposals I had done some other like research in regards to you know trying to see basically how those proposals um, how patents basically have actually helped or leveraged some of the grant proposals from certain organizations or certain small business entrepreneurs. And so basically you know I knew about them. Um and had done some other like data around them. Ah, but you know never actually like you know, actually review one so it was really good to put myself out there and to become a reviewer. So then I could. You know, essentially learn more about you know, basically these particular proposals that are offering. That's pretty much ah through a government funded program where again if you have an idea and you are basically you know trying to basically move this to market. You may not go to you as pto first if outphat and you may go the the route the route of actually trying to just figure out. How can you move that to market and in that particular arena you may be saying to yourself. Oh I need funding. So what kind of funding can I get oh I may be able to get small business innovation research funding. And so that's kind of how um you know that's how my recent transition was so it was takes transfer none and then you know learning about a lot of the zibber um learning about those siver proposals then led to me you know, becoming a reviewer um in you know. Ah, there are other opportunities.

28:39.41
wearabletakeover
Um, and that's wonderful because the and Nsf is one of the largest if not the largest partner of of ah.

28:45.72
Nina Archie
Yeah, yeah I would say I'm not sure that the largest funder but I will say that you know the small business innovation Research Grant Proposal is pretty much a government funding program that is in pretty much all of the agencies I Want to say. And so you know whatever I think it's I think it's the most aware program aware program out there. Um, you know in regards to small business programs or startups and so if you have an idea or a concept. You know you probably can look through several different agencies and figure out if there's a pick. Particular agency. Then maybe you know, um, they may be able to submit I mean you maybe submit your proposal to and possibly get funding for.

29:30.21
wearabletakeover
Um, so instead of going to a bank our ah innovators and founders in the pipeline they can go through a cibbra program.

29:38.76
Nina Archie
Yeah, or I would say you probably want to do both. So yeah I would say you've got your governmentmmy funded programs. You've got you know course you know now with the role that I'm in now I work with small businesses to again, solve you know Dd problems. But.

29:52.87
wearabletakeover
Are total.

29:57.58
Nina Archie
Those small business tech companies. They will tell you like they've done bootstraing to applying to sivers to you know Venture Capital So I would say that you know anybody would tell you that when they're when they are you know, basically trying to move whatever technology. They have forward. You know they may be doing a little bit of it of it all from Private Capital to also government funded programs.

30:16.99
wearabletakeover
Um, and this is why our ecosystem is so important because when we have people that we can call or I like Miss Archie and say okay, what do you recommend for this particular case of this innovator. It definitely helps the process so that you. Um, ah for our founders. You're not born in a circle and then ultimately like never going anywhere excuse me so again, having resources and people with this knowledge helps to accelerate. Hopefully the process. So that you don't have to make unnecessary mistakes. But then you also have the information readily available. So what are some of the common mistakes or fopas you can share from folks that ah deliver or prepare grant proposals.

31:13.10
Nina Archie
Um, you with some of the common mistakes that you think that people may have when when they're for this small business innovation research proposal. Okay so I would tell you that one of the things that I've even seen you know working with small.

31:15.36
wearabletakeover
Yes.

31:21.41
wearabletakeover
Um, and then.

31:31.34
Nina Archie
Um, businesses that are submitting um is really trying to as a reviewer there are a lot of there are a couple of questions that we have to ask? Um, and we have to see if you if you can answer these questions and then we have to provide that type of you know expertise to the director that wants to basically fund your proposal. Um, and so some of the things that you know are as really and truly are more about you know, have you looked at your market. Um, you know? do you have information on your market as well as your competitor's Market. Is there a return on investment have you done any forecasting on you know, any revenue that be generated in this industry in this is this something that you know is really going to provide benefit to you know a particular industry because that's going to be a question that people are going to ask like you know? Okay, well. 1 How are you gonna do this and also two. Do you have the resources to do this because it's not like a patent idea you can like you have this idea you want to make sure that you're to None to file, you're like I'm just gonna put this on paper and I'm gonna file or whatever and make sure that I get my you know my date. Um and I'll figure out the rest later type of situation. Um, with the separate proposal. You know there is a lot of questions that you're going to be going into and asking you know upfront in regards to I mean people are going to be basically wanting to see in this proposal around your resources. Do you have adequate resources. Do You have a adequate team.. Do you again? have you looked at you know is there a competitive landscape. Is there any Ip. That's out there. That's similar to yours or do you have ip yourself that you have already filed um as Well. Those are some of the questions and then mainly commercialization plan which means that is there some form of plan to bring this to Market. That you have whether you're actively doing or you're in the process of you know, trying to get done So Those are some of the things that those are the questions I I Pretty much. Can tell you just opposite of my head that are are really good for a small business or startup.

33:34.68
wearabletakeover
So Even though we're in innovation. A business case is still valid. People are still going to ask you? What is this for can this make money who is going to benefit from this folks so you will never ever get away from those common questions. And the most important thing is what problem are you solving right? So Ultimately that goes into the benefit. So for those that may be thinking Oh I have this grand idea and I want to produce something just to produce it.. That's one of the things that war will take ventures. Overall we say we're not Doing. We're producing with purpose and so. Please pay attention to this episode listen to what she just said because you will be asked by many people over and over and over again just to validate what it is that you're doing and also to determine if they want to partake in that process with you and not everyone will don't get offended by that. But once you find your people or your person stick with them and go through the process and know that you will be repeatedly asked these questions to make sure that it is solid and sound right? Okay so From. So.

34:40.73
Nina Archie
Um, yes, yes.

34:46.44
wearabletakeover
Heard in the past that you know from a tech transfer perspective I know you're more on a biotech. It let's say someone doesn't have an idea and they want to go through a file and find the idea and then help bring that to market. Can they do that through a tech transfer office. Um.

34:59.33
Nina Archie
Um, so let me make sure understand so they don't have an idea is what you're saying.

35:06.19
wearabletakeover
Right? Or if they just want to find the idea and build upon one can they do that via a tech transfer office.

35:10.65
Nina Archie
Um, well I would tell you that some take transfer offices. Um, you know are open to the community, especially like you know the sex transfer offices I would tell you that None driver offices are in academia but they're often government agencies and so that being said, if you basically. They say you don't have an idea but you you know you have some questions around something that you're trying to still kind of like I guess brainstorm on with an idea a take transfer office likely to help you um in that particular you know arena um I would say because it that's your community so you literally could go to your. You know, local area if they have a tech transfer office at the university and you could talk to them and say hey you know I you know I'm really interested in in this and you know there may be some people or should say your that staff. Should likely be able to kind of dirate you into you know trying to maybe figure out what you're trying to do a lot of times I would tell you that this is how my mind thinks. So I we all think differently so I'm not here to you know judge anyone else for the way they think. Typically always think of things in regards to solution. So you know if you have an idea. The none thing that I will always ask someone is you know what is this actually like solving you know in it. It doesn't have to be like a a big deal. It is. it's just the you know it's a

36:21.96
wearabletakeover
This.

36:38.61
Nina Archie
A fair question to ask like you know what are you trying to do with this. You know what do you want to do and usually it gets into like some form of like a solution. So when you are pitching to people you talk about like something that probably irritated you or you're giving some story about you know something that is. Um, that has irritated you in the past or that you've noticed and you're like you know this is my solution to this and that's where the idea part comes into so you know I will just say that whether it's your local tech transfer office or there's now so many different innovation hubs or even a small business development center Like. You don't necessarily have to go to a tech transfer office. There's small business of element centers around as well. That maybe you have tech Professionals staff or direct you to an area that will be able to help you move forward with your particular like idea. But a lot of times I think that you know what kind of ground someone or helps them is really trying to figure out what what do you?? What are you trying to solve here which what's the solution to what's what's irritating you or what you're you know? Ah what you're trying to do.

37:38.17
wearabletakeover
Um, and then.

37:46.92
wearabletakeover
I'm glad you brought up the small business development centers. We have worked directly with Maryland Sbdc so if you hear us say sbbc we're talking about the small business development centers here in the state. Um, and who of their reps will actually be on hand for the hackathon.

37:57.19
Nina Archie
Are.

38:03.47
wearabletakeover
And they'll provide resources for all of our attendees. So if they have a different idea that may not even be within our round but they want to follow up on that. Um, those folks will be available for them or that and that resource is free and they have free resources and they have people that will help you that they pay to help you who get your stuff together. So There's a couple of different avenues if you're in that beginning phase with Resources. You could go to where of course you go through that questioning process. But then there are resources available. So It's all about which Avenue Do you want to take. And so again, um, everyone within our ecosystem from listening to this as well as attending our virtual events such as tech remix you will have access to all of that information so that you can build your plan on how you're going to go forward right? Okay so what are some good questions. Someone should ask. If they approach a tech transfer office because I know some of our I'm thinking about folks that I talk to often and some folks that are especially novices coming into this. They might be saying I'm afraid I don't even know what to ask.

39:10.28
Nina Archie
So I would say if you're going to a sp business and element center or take turn for office and again if you have an idea you're not really sure as to you know, basically like how to like maybe put it into writing. And I would say you know going to going to someone on that staff. You probably want to discuss you know what your idea is or you know tell them a little bit about maybe what you're trying to do so they can kind of better help you with the resources in regards to whether or not. You are you know you need to reach out to maybe a particular innovation hub or maybe there's someone else that may even be doing something similar because again take transfer offices are there because they likely will know about somebody some other inventor entrepreneur even small business that maybe you know doing something similar to what you're doing. Or you may have an idea and think like oh I thought you know no one was doing this and they're like oh you know Joebo up the street is doing something very similar. You should'll you know? maybe you should go and talk to this person. You know so I would say you know asking questions in regards to none.

40:09.76
wearabletakeover
Um.

40:20.61
Nina Archie
You know, kind of getting through getting into like you know this is what I'm I'm interested in or what I'm trying to do and then asking those questions to a tech transfer small business office about you know what are the resources that you have in regards to you know what? I'm trying to do or whatever my my particular idea or concept is. Um, are there any resources around the local area. You know that I can tap into are there people that I can talk to if you're a little bit further ahead and you know what your idea is but like you like you say you may need to um, discuss what it takes transfer office again about you know the other things which is. You know, filing a patent application or you know basically working with a licensing agreement because again Tick Transfer does not just focus on patents it focus on licensing too. So your application I mean your idea or concept may not necessarily be something that is patentable. But it may be something that is a technology that you know maybe there still may be a licensing agreement between you and another person and so the take transfer office really tries to offer up those particular services. Ah you know and there may even be some academia there. So. Again, you know that is a huge for check Transfer office. It's a huge resource of academia that may be able to say hey you know I am um I you know, Basically this academia person may be able to help you with. You know your particular idea or some of the steps you may have um and so forth they may even want to work with you. You know in regards to actually you know getting something you know getting something done So I would say that's that those are some of the questions for sex transfer and the same for small business. They're gonna have small business professionals there. Those were small business Professionals. Maybe able to help you in regards to how do you move forward with your idea in regards to you know?? Um, you know having a small business or if if you're further hit you know there may be some things in regards to you know, really trying to help you with some of the things that you would do. To you know, make sure that you have a business line or you know even moving forward your manufacturing of your you know technology you know said basically those are going to be some of their resources and some of the questions you're going to ask.

42:36.36
wearabletakeover
Absolutely and we were lucky enough that ah especially the small business felness centers that work with for-profit organizations. So when we came to them Originally it was on a for- profit side but they're still a partner and advocate for what we're doing here on a nonprofit side because we're developing other.

42:49.92
Nina Archie
Are.

42:56.10
wearabletakeover
But our one of our None counselors was a wearable founder who had a successful exit and is now servicing the Maryland area so there's a lot of hidden gems with people with a lot of different experiences that work with these particular offices that can help. All of you that are listening and watching get on the right path before we close because we I mean we need another episode because there's just so much knowledge and information to be spared, especially from the the standpoint of tech transfer licensing and then also working with other.

43:17.78
Nina Archie
Are.

43:32.66
wearabletakeover
Government agencies you know with the small businesses. So we we can't do it all in this particular episode but that's why we have 4 episodes in more seat. So we we know you're gonna come back and and work with us in the future but you you touched on something about licensing. So can we.

43:37.76
Nina Archie
Are dis.

43:47.61
Nina Archie
Are.

43:50.40
wearabletakeover
Please share with our audience so we don't have them waiting for too long until who knows how many episodes but can we share What is a license and um, you kind of touched on it. You know someone didn't do a patent to a license. But what's the benefit to a founder to work within a license.

44:05.41
Nina Archie
So I would tell you that going to University they're gonna if if you are entrepreneur or small business owner. You go to a University. They're gonna try to give you some different ways that you can basically. Bring this to market or you know basically allow allow you to provide some value for your for your particular idea or product and so if you can't go the Ip route which means that you know you realize this is not an ah novel idea. However, you know it is still something that you know is something that is a commercially viable Product. You would go the licensing route So license means that you have a product and then this gets into more of a sales situation where there's somebody that basically. Um, you have a manufacturer you know and there's somebody that basically wants to take your product and they want to license it it through our agreement. So then they can distribute and sell it themselves but through that agreement you want to make sure that you get you know your. Ah, you know your funding or your percentage there'll be some form of a deal that is worked out in order to allow the distribution of your particular technology. You know to be you know, worked on or you know based in service through another company or organization. So essentially, That's what that means. So you know pretty much you know you probably have heard about this a lot um people through music where people are like oh you know they have an artist and you know usually if somebody's playing somebody's music. There was some licensing agreement. And order for their music because again, that's their intellectual I would say in a sense. It's kind of like their intellectual property and so that being said, you know you can't just study yourself like oh yeah, I'm just going to take this like a company couldn't um you know f legally. And so that being said, it's the same thing with your particular idea or you know your particular Product. You're going to want to if some if some company's going to want to sell your your product you're going to likely have a licensing agreement in hand that will allow you to still have you know rights. Ah, to your particular you know product and then allow them to sell it. But you have a a certain amount of funding. Um, you know that is coming back to you.

46:32.45
wearabletakeover
And the reason I wanted to make sure we touched on that is because prior to the pandemic. There was a story of a wearable accessories founder who is a former restaurateur. They were going out of business and they found a niche where they could develop these accessories. They ended up getting licensing agreements with Disney and other companies. Multimillion Dollar company so there's a lot of opportunity within the wearables ecosystem. Whether it be that direct technology or even the accessories market where licensing applies and it can ultimately still build wealth. So. Thank you so much for sharing that.

47:05.29
Nina Archie
Are.

47:09.16
wearabletakeover
Before we go. We're not saying goodbye. We're just gonna say see you later. We'll see you in a virtual apartment see you at a workshop and working with us and especially for a future episode where we dig a little bit deeper Miss Nina arch she has been an honor having you with us today. What ah information would you like to leave with.

47:11.77
Nina Archie
Um.

47:28.36
wearabletakeover
Our audience today in the words of inspiration. But then also how they could follow up with you.

47:32.20
Nina Archie
Um, so I will say um, keep going keep growing I Always tell people that ah go forth and be great I say that quite a bit to people and yes if you want to find me I would say the best.

47:37.40
wearabletakeover
That was not me.

47:50.67
Nina Archie
Would be to find me either on Linkedin or on Instagram or Twitter so you know and with all of those I would say Instagram the innovator connector Linkedin my name Nina Archie and then for Twitter it's the same thing a tweet at tweeting Archie. So.

48:07.69
wearabletakeover
I love it. Thank you so much for joining us and folks that was good right? That was more than good so makes you pay tune for some additional announcements as well as if you have not registered to be in our ecosystem pull to http://wherevoteventures.org right now.

48:09.89
Nina Archie
Ah, yeah.

48:27.15
wearabletakeover
Right now right now and register to be a part of our ecosystem so that you don't just have to listen and watch these podcast episodes you could work directly with people like Miss Archie all right? That's another episode of wordable takeover let's go. I.