Technology & Industry Alliances
The UC Santa Barbara Office of Technology and Industry Alliances (TIA) is a university technology transfer office that manages UCSB research intellectual property, facilitates industry research collaborations, and supports campus startups commercializing technologies across semiconductors, robotics, healthcare, and clean energy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersSanta Barbara, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Technology & Industry Alliances does
The UC Santa Barbara Office of Technology and Industry Alliances (TIA) is a university technology transfer office operating within the University of California system. TIA manages intellectual property developed through UCSB research, negotiates agreements with industry partners that enable research collaboration, and supports campus startups through its Startup Support Program and as one of the UCSB Innovation + Entrepreneurship (I+E) Partner Programs. The office serves three primary constituencies: UCSB researchers seeking to commercialize inventions, industry partners seeking access to emerging technologies and research collaborations, and campus startups commercializing university-developed IP. As part of the UC system, TIA operates as a non-commercial government entity rather than a revenue-generating business.
TIA's core offerings include technology licensing and IP management, the Startup Support Program via the Innovator LOI pathway (providing options to license UCSB technologies for up to one year with a $2,000 extension fee and patent cost coverage for the first six months), research collaboration management through sponsored research agreements, material transfer agreements, data use agreements, and non-disclosure agreements, the ACTIVATE Proof of Concept Grant Fund, and the CNSI Technology Incubator and CNSI Innovation Workshop facilities. The office manages a diverse technology portfolio spanning GaN-based semiconductors (VCSELs, UV LEDs, III-nitride devices, wafer-scale strain relaxed templates), soft robotics (vine robots with everting mechanism for friction-free navigation, soft burrowing robots for subterranean locomotion), passive solar desalination (32.9% solar-to-water efficiency with 7-day continuous operation), coherent optical interconnects, therapeutic platforms (Probody for selective tumor activation, ACE antibiotics), bioplastics (PHA ocean-degradable materials), and terahertz pulse technology. Most underlying technologies are in patent-pending stage across at least 20 UC Cases, with selective granted IP among portfolio companies (SPERLU, SperoSet, Probody Platform, CohZero Platform).
TIA's revenue model combines intellectual property licensing royalties, sponsored research agreements, startup support fees, and facility usage fees, though the office does not generate commercial revenue — figures referenced on the TIA site pertain to individual portfolio startups, not to TIA itself. The office distributes its services through direct engagement with researchers and industry partners, supported by marketing channels including a website, newsletter, technology alerts, LinkedIn presence, and a searchable startup database. Notable ecosystem outcomes include 4-6 startups formed annually creating hundreds of jobs, and major exits including Aurrion ($165M acquisition by Juniper Networks in 2016), CytomX ($80M NASDAQ IPO in 2015 with $500M+ in pharma partnership milestones), LungLife AI ($23.68M London IPO in 2021), Soraa (acquired by EcoSense in 2020 after raising over $100M), Lastline (acquired by VMware), and Celestial AI (acquired by Marvell Technology in February 2026).
Technology & Industry Alliances firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Technology & Industry Alliances
- Legal name
- The Regents of the University of California
- Website
- https://tia.ucsb.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- The UC Santa Barbara Office of Technology and Industry Alliances (TIA) is a university technology transfer office that manages UCSB research intellectual property, facilitates industry research collaborations, and supports campus startups commercializing technologies across semiconductors, robotics, healthcare, and clean energy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Technology & Industry Alliances industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Technology Transfer Services
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Management Consulting Services (54161)
- SIC
- Patent Owners & Lessors (6794), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Research Administration & Compliance (Sponsored Programs, IRB/REB) (EDADAKAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Technology Transfer & Innovation-Driven Research Universities (High Commercialization) (EDAHABAH), Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance) (EDAEALAO), Applied Research & Innovation Universities (EDAHAEAE)
Keywords
Where Technology & Industry Alliances is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Barbara
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Technology & Industry Alliances business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Intellectual Property Licensing: Manages licensing agreements for UCSB technologies with industry partners, generating royalty revenue through exclusive or non-exclusive licenses.
- Sponsored Research Agreements: Industry-funded research collaborations where companies support UCSB faculty research in exchange for access to research results and licensing opportunities.
- Startup Support Fees: Innovator LOI program charges flat fee of $2,000 for extension beyond initial six months. Startups pay only patent costs incurred during first six months.
- Facility Usage Fees: External companies can access UCSB research facilities for daily or hourly rates, including CNSI, Nanotech Nanofabrication Facility, and other labs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Innovator LOI Program |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | External Facility Usage |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Technology & Industry Alliances product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TIA manages the intellectual property developed through UCSB research, including patent prosecution and licensing to industry partners. It negotiates sponsored research agreements, material transfer agreements, and other contracts that enable industry-academia research collaboration. It supports campus startups through the Innovator LOI program, providing them a low-cost pathway to option or license UCSB technologies, and operates proof-of-concept grant funding through the ACTIVATE program.
Product overview
The UC Santa Barbara Office of Technology & Industry Alliances (TIA) is a university technology transfer office that manages intellectual property from UCSB research, facilitates industry research collaborations, and supports campus startups. TIA's core offerings include technology licensing and IP management, the Startup Support Program with the Innovator LOI pathway, research collaboration management through sponsored research agreements, and the ACTIVATE Proof of Concept Grant Fund. TIA also operates technology alerts to notify partners of available innovations, and provides access to research facilities including the CNSI Technology Incubator and CNSI Innovation Workshop.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Technology Licensing & Intellectual Property Management
- Innovator LOI Startup Support Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 4-6 startups formed annually creating hundreds of jobs in Santa Barbara area
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Technology & Industry Alliances
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Technology & Industry Alliances technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Technology & Industry Alliances partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Shell GameChangercoreSpero Renewables selected for Shell's GameChanger program in November 2025. Global accelerator for early-stage energy innovation offering support and development for SPERLU technology.
- IlluminacoreIntegrated Biosciences partnered with Illumina in 2024. Partnership provides scientific support in addition to an investment through Illumina Ventures.
- California Nanosystems Institute (CNSI)coreCNSI is a world-class hub for research in bioengineering, physics, materials science and chemistry. CNSI provides the CNSI Innovation Workshop (maker-space), CNSI Technology Incubator with laboratory bench, fume hood, and office space for lease, and shared use facilities at reduced rates for qualified companies.
- Bren School of Environmental Science & ManagementcoreBren School provides the Eco-Entrepreneurship Program offering entrepreneurship education with focus on environmental products and services as part of the UCSB I+E ecosystem.
- Center for STEM Cell Biology and Engineering (CSEP)coreCSEP collaborates with TIA to support technology transfer and startup formation in stem cell and related biological research areas.
- Technology Management Program (TMP)coreTMP provides entrepreneur education through classes, direct mentorship, and seminars. Hosts the New Venture Competition, operates The Garage co-working space, and the G2 Summer Accelerator Program.
- Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)minorLACI provides support for startups with strategic focus on transportation & mobility, clean energy, and smart sustainable cities. Committed to creating inclusive green economy.
- Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA)minorLAVA provides forums where entrepreneurs and executives of startup and emerging growth companies meet investors, bankers, and professional service providers.
- BiocomminorBiocom creates valuable networks accelerating member success in Los Angeles through programs including specialized events, conferences, venture capital days, and member-to-member networking.
- Cyclotron RoadminorSupports leading entrepreneurial scientists advancing technology projects with potential for global impact.
- NSF I-CorpsminorNational Science Foundation I-Corps program helping academics translate research into commercial products. Also includes NIH I-Corps and Energy I-Corps programs.
- SBIR/STTR Federal Grant ProgramminorSmall Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs encouraging small businesses to engage in federal R&D with commercialization potential.
- AbbViecoreCytomX partnership with AbbVie to develop Probody therapeutics. CytomX has earned over $500M in upfront payments and milestones from pharmaceutical partnerships.
- AmgencoreCytomX partnership with Amgen for Probody therapeutic development.
- Bristol-Myers SquibbcoreCytomX partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb for cancer therapeutic development.
- Astellas PharmacoreCytomX partnership with Astellas Pharma for therapeutic development.
- PfizercoreCytomX partnership with Pfizer for Probody therapeutic development.
- MD Anderson Cancer CentercoreCytomX strategic partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center for cancer therapeutic development.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Technology & Industry Alliances competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF): University-affiliated tech-transfer and licensing foundation for UW–Madison; structurally analogous in managing invention disclosures, patent prosecution, and licensing revenue for a major research university.
- UC Berkeley IPIRA (Intellectual Property & Industry Research Alliances): UC Berkeley's industry alliances and IP office; same University of California system and very similar naming charter ('Industry Research Alliances'), serving as the closest in-system functional peer to TIA.
- Columbia Technology Ventures: Columbia University's tech-transfer office handling invention disclosures, patent licensing, and startup support for faculty research — a direct private-research-university counterpart to TIA.
- MIT Technology Licensing Office (TLO): MIT's tech-transfer function performing patent prosecution, licensing, and startup support for MIT research output — a near-twin role to TIA at a peer research-intensive university.
- Caltech Office of Technology Transfer and Corporate Partnerships (OTTCP): Caltech's central office for IP management, licensing, and industry partnerships — comparable in serving a small, research-intensive university with deep-tech inventions.
- Stanford Office of Technology Licensing (OTL): Stanford University's central tech-transfer office that manages invention disclosures, patent prosecution, and licensing for Stanford research — directly comparable in mission and operating model to TIA.
- UC San Diego Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC): UCSD's central innovation and commercialization office; another in-system University of California peer performing tech-transfer and industry partnership functions.
- UCLA Technology Development Group (TDG): UCLA's tech-transfer unit within the same University of California system as TIA, performing IP protection, licensing, and startup formation for UCLA research.
Regional players
- Oxford University Innovation (OUI): Oxford's technology-transfer company providing IP licensing, software licensing, and consultancy services; highly comparable in mission but operating in the UK research ecosystem.
- Cambridge Enterprise: University of Cambridge's tech-transfer arm offering IP protection, licensing, and seed investment; a strong functional analogue to TIA though geographically focused on the UK.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Technology & Industry Alliances social profiles
Digital presenceTechnology & Industry Alliances financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Technology & Industry Alliances leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Technology & Industry Alliances funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Technology & Industry Alliances M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Technology & Industry Alliances
What does Technology & Industry Alliances do?
TIA manages the intellectual property developed through UCSB research, including patent prosecution and licensing to industry partners. It negotiates sponsored research agreements, material transfer agreements, and other contracts that enable industry-academia research collaboration. It supports campus startups through the Innovator LOI program, providing them a low-cost pathway to option or license UCSB technologies, and operates proof-of-concept grant funding through the ACTIVATE program.
Is Technology & Industry Alliances a public or private company?
Technology & Industry Alliances is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Technology & Industry Alliances founded?
Technology & Industry Alliances was founded in 1987. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Technology & Industry Alliances based?
Technology & Industry Alliances is headquartered in Santa Barbara, United States, in the North America region.
How does Technology & Industry Alliances make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Intellectual Property Licensing is the primary driver. The others are sponsored Research Agreements, startup Support Fees and facility Usage Fees.
Who are Technology & Industry Alliances's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), UC Berkeley IPIRA (Intellectual Property & Industry Research Alliances), Columbia Technology Ventures, MIT Technology Licensing Office (TLO), Caltech Office of Technology Transfer and Corporate Partnerships (OTTCP), Stanford Office of Technology Licensing (OTL), UC San Diego Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC) and UCLA Technology Development Group (TDG). Regional players are Oxford University Innovation (OUI) and Cambridge Enterprise.
Does Technology & Industry Alliances have an API?
No public API is recorded for Technology & Industry Alliances.
What industry is Technology & Industry Alliances in?
Technology & Industry Alliances's product category is Technology Transfer Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDADAKAH, Research Administration & Compliance (Sponsored Programs, IRB/REB), with a secondary code of EDAHABAH, Technology Transfer & Innovation-Driven Research Universities (High Commercialization). Its NAICS code is 5417 and its SIC code is 6794.