Technology Commercialisation Support
The Mona Office for Research and Innovation (MORI), as part of its remit, established the Technology Commercialisation Support Section (TCSS) at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus under the Boosting Innovation and Growth in Entrepreneurship Ecosystems (BIGEE) programme. Launched in November 2021, this national initiative - led by the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) and funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) - aims to strengthen Jamaica’s technology transfer capabilities and foster a dynamic innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The TCSS was officially launch within MORI. following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in October 2024.
Through the TCSS, MORI plays a central role in the UWI Mona’s technology commercialization ecosystem, working in close collaboration with the Business Development Office (BDO) and the Campus Legal Unit. Together, these entities provide coordinated, campus-wide support for innovation development, including intellectual property protection, licensing, industry engagement, start-up support, and legal guidance.
This initiative is aligned with The UWI Triple A Strategic Plan 2022–2027, Phase II: The Revenue Revolution, which emphasizes Access, Alignment, and Agility. It also advances MORI’s Strategic Objective 4—"Enhance knowledge transfer and the advancement of innovations"—with a targeted focus on increasing the number of patents filed and innovations successfully brought to market.
The TCSS, in collaboration with its institutional partners, provides essential technology commercialisation support, facilitating the transformation of academic research into commercially viable products, services, and solutions, generating value for the university, the national economy, and the wider Caribbean. By supporting researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs across all faculties, MORI remains committed to cultivating a strong culture of innovation and promoting sustainable commercialization through strategic partnerships.
Technology transfer, or tech commercialisation, is the process by which research institutions transform inventions and innovations from their labs into market-ready products that meet customer needs.
Through the TCSS, MORI achieves this primarily in two ways: licensing patented intellectual property to corporations for development, and fostering the creation of startup companies, which often license IP developed by faculty or students to launch innovative ventures.
Driving Innovation: How We Support You
At MORI, we believe that innovation is key to solving real-world challenges and improving lives. That’s why we are dedicated to providing the tools, guidance, and support researchers and innovators need to transform ideas into impactful solutions. Our support offerings include:
Guidance on the Invention Disclosure Process
We assist researchers in navigating the invention disclosure process, ensuring ideas are properly documented and positioned for further development.
Coordination of Intellectual Property Development and Commercialisation
We oversee the creation and commercialisation of intellectual property (IP) originating from the Mona Campus, turning concepts into viable innovations.
Facilitation of Licensing and Startup Creation
In partnership with private and public entities and the Mona Campus Business Development Office, we enable licensing of innovations to industry partners and support the launch of startups and spinouts.
Training Seminars in IP and Commercialisation
We provide educational workshops on intellectual property and commercialisation, empowering our community with the knowledge to succeed in these areas.
