Start Up Company Check List

This Checklist is intended to help KU researchers identify key issues in the decision to form a start-up company based on KU research.

• The document Creating a Company at KU gives additional general information, answers to frequently asked questions and links to a variety of resources that may help you in your decision to form a company.
• In order to license KU intellectual property for commercial use, your start-up company’s management plan must be reviewed and approved by the KU Vice Provost for Research. To request a review, complete this form, schedule a meeting with the Director of KU Technology Transfer, bring a draft or completed business plan. All key personnel of the proposed company should attend the meeting.
• If the management plan is approved, negotiation of a license agreement will follow.
• The following are some of the terms that will be negotiated with the company in the License Agreement with the University:
  • University royalty position
  • University equity position
  • Payment of continuing patent fees (including fees already expended by KU)
  • Milestone events
  • Milestone fees
• The following are some of the issues that must be included in the License Agreement with the University:
  • Indemnification of University by Licensee/Company
  • Company product liability/insurance coverage
  • Company diligence in getting the technology to the public (commercialization)
  • Reservation of rights for the University to practice the invention for academic and research purposes
  • If federal funding is involved, reservation of rights for the federal government