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What is the QuickTech ® licence?

The QuickTech licence is a streamlined commercialisation pathway developed by Imperial Enterprise to support the rapid and efficient licensing or distribution of research outputs that may not require patent protection — such as research materials, lab reagents and tools, software, questionnaires, and lab datasets. 

It enables faster decision-making and localised support through each Faculty’s Commercialisation team. QuickTech is designed to help researchers make their lab outputs accessible to industry and academia; generate revenue and help finance the lab storage, curation, synthesis or updates by the research team and department in maintaining or generating the QuickTech material. 

What types of IP are suitable?

QuickTech is suitable for research outputs that are ready for use and do not need fee-based IP protection. These typically include: 

  • Lab reagents and biological materials (e.g. mouse models, peptides, cell lines) 
  • Research tools and protocols 
  • Software packages (direct download or licence-key activated) 
  • Questionnaires and assessment tools 
  • Datasets, multimedia, and digital tools 

Even if your tool falls outside these categories, you're encouraged to get in touch, as QuickTech is expanding to include a wider range of outputs. 

How does the process work?

The process is simple and researcher-friendly:

  1. Contact your commercialisation team to discuss your invention or tool.
  2. Complete the streamlined QuickTech Invention Disclosure form, which combines the standard Invention Disclosure and IP Due Diligence forms. 
  3. Once approved: 
    1. You may be asked to maintain or produce the materials or update the software if required. 
    2. Commercialisation Team will market the QuickTech material and use template licence agreements to non-exclusively license or transfer the QuickTech material. 
  4. The case will be listed on imperial.tech or through other academic and commercial channels. 
  5. Key contacts: 
    1. Your Commercialisation Team’s (for process support)
    2. Your Commercialisation Marketing and Communications Manager (for promotional support) 

What are the benefits?

QuickTech offers a number of advantages over traditional IP commercialisation routes: 

  • Faster deal speed through localised decision-making 
  • Reduced paperwork (combined forms and template agreements) 
  • Higher revenue share: up to 80% of licensing income distributed through the Reward to Inventors Scheme and shared with the department to help finance the costs of lab storage, curation, synthesis or updates by the research team in maintaining or generating the QuickTech material  
  • Dual licensing options (discounted access for academics, standard pricing for industry) 
  • Open-source support: allows promotion of free products with click-through downloads (e.g. GitHub, App Store) 

How to get started

To begin the QuickTech process:

  • Submit the Invention Disclosure Form (QuickTech version) 
  • Discuss licensing, storage or production needs, and marketing opportunities 

For help with marketing your product or listing it in the QuickTech catalogue, please contact the Commercialisation Marketing and Communication Manager. 

Quicktech ® is a registered trademark of Imperial College Innovations Limited. All Rights Reserved