Commercializing NASA Technologies reveals how one of the world’s most innovative agencies became its most efficient—and effective—at licensing inventions to industry. Federal labs and universities generate breakthrough innovations but can’t bring them to market on their own. Instead, their Technology Transfer (T2) programs patent and out-license inventions to startups and existing companies. Despite good intentions, programs patent around 60% of their inventions on average, yet fewer than 5% achieve market success. Clearly, a patent-licensing gap exists. The obvious question: Could they license more while patenting less? Yes, and this book shows the way. It chronicles how NASA, supported by Acuity Edge (AE), adopted a market-centric invention management system that transformed its T2 performance: doubling licensing output, halving patent filings, and sustaining those results over six consecutive years. The outcome? The most licenses in agency history. A key contributor was AE’s Invention Management System (IMS) —a proven framework that prioritizes outreach to potential licensees both before and after pursuing patents. The logic is simple but powerful: only patent what shows commercial promise , and actively market those inventions to drive licensing success. In this field-tested guide, you’ll discover: Ten core principles that drive smarter T2 - The eight-step IMS to evaluate, prioritize, market, and license inventions - Lessons and success stories about NASA and other client projects - Broader insights and improvement ideas for the T2 industry - Frequently asked questions and actionable guidance - Commercialization fundamentals and tools covering market research, key innovation terms, commercialization factors, inventor and expert interviews, technology marketing, value chain analysis, non-enabling descriptions, business models and plans, licensing strategy, and key readings This book is tailored for university and federal lab executives, their T2 professionals, and inventors—but it also offers valuable insights for others responsible for extracting value from a portfolio of intellectual property, including venture investors, corporate leaders, VPs of research, startups, and entrepreneurs. The authors, principals of Acuity Edge, have used the IMS to revitalize T2 programs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Michigan State University, and NASA; support investor due diligence for venture capital and private equity firms; and deliver commercialization training to graduate students at Duke University and inventors at various organizations. Backed by 25 years of hands-on experience, Commercializing NASA Technologies is a field guide to smarter T2, and a playbook for turning visions into value.