Tech Advancement
Technology Advancement Office
MU Ingenuity Grows Successful Ventures
VIDEO: iSocial virtual world empowers youth with autism.
VIDEO: Startup to test spinal muscular atrophy treatments.
VIDEO: Inventor James Cook shares his orthopaedic technologies.
VIDEO: Researcher Teresa Lever creates tools to detect vocal cord dysfunction.
VIDEO: Elemental Enzymes develops solutions for agriculture.
About
MU research and scholarship often lead to new technologies, tools, therapeutics, diagnostics, compositions, processes and other inventions that can improve people’s lives. The Technology Advancement Office (TAO) partners with faculty, companies, entrepreneurs and investors to bring those innovations to market.
TAO is part of MU's Office of Research and Economic Development. We work at the interface of science, business and patent law to evaluate, protect and pave the way for the translation of innovations into products, jobs and businesses.
For information about Mizzou innovation, read our 2019 report.

Typical Steps
- Receive invention disclosure information from faculty and staff.
- Evaluate inventions for novelty, utility and market potential.
- Secure intellectual-property protection, such as patents.
- Identify companies that have the expertise and resources necessary to bring an invention to market.
- Negotiate licenses and other intellectual-property agreements with companies interested in further developing MU's research discoveries.
- Manage license agreements, reporting requirements and compliance for federal, state and industry research contracts.
News
Mizzou Made - Mobile App Enables Research in Human Behavior
Calling All Mizzou Faculty: Tell Us About the Great Things You’ve Invented
Blumhagen to Bring Engineering Inventions to Market
MU Licenses Gene Therapy Breakthrough for Use in Hearing Loss Treatments
It’s Been a Dynamic Year for Mizzou Innovators, Creators and Startups
MU Appoints Lorenzen to Leverage Faculty Research Innovations
Consequences for Real People — MBA student is essential part of physician-engineer team.
Last Updated: July 14, 2020