Formally established as of September 2011, under Research and Graduate Policies Directorate, the role of TTO is to facilitate commercialization of research activities. Our value proposition is to provide an interface where researchers and enterprises mutually enjoy opportunities for efficient transfer of knowledge and collaboration that will enable use of research outputs for the benefit of public and economy.

Easier said than done, this is quite a statement. The key is how we propose to achieve this. This is a teamwork. And the team is not limited to the TTO staff, we work in teams with our faculty members. So what does this team do and how do we work together?  This team

• identifies opportunities for research collaborations, long-term partnerships and extends joint efforts for generating new projects
• identifies the portfolio of know-how, inventions, strong IP and evaluates the value for commercialization demonstrates that there is scientific excellence as well as a professional approach in developing and managing research projects
• develops and maintains a strategic planning framework (strategic aims and objectives, performance indicators, policies and procedures, measurement and evaluation, incentives.)

TTO has dedicated professionals to help the faculty members carry their research into market. We not only assist in formation of commercial pathways but also become instrumental in obtaining funding support from public grants. In more concrete and practical terms the following are possible scenarios as to when you should get connected with the Office of Technology Transfer:

• You have a project idea and you are looking for a corporate partner
• Your corporate partner needs assistance and advice in writing up proposals for public grants in support of your joint research
• You are contacted by a for-profit or a non-profit entity in request for a partnership to develop a solution to a practical problem which will find application in the market
• You are approached by an external entity looking for strategic research partnership
• You have an invention and wish to carry it to market or
• You believe you invented something and don’t know what to do with it!
• Your lab produced a tangible research material and somebody is interested in testing it in potentially commercial applications
• You have a tangible research output and wish to grant an academic license
• An external entity is interested in receiving consulting support from you
• You have a business idea and inquiring into investment and start-up formation.. No we don’t deal with this internally; however provide a link to entrepreneurial activity (Entrepreneurship Development Program) and Inovent both of which are complimentary instruments in helping you reaching your target. 
• You are interested in establishing strat-ups in Technology Development Regions (TGB) and need assistance or advice
• You have questions regarding policy issues around IP management, sharing of economic returns from commercial activities, conflict of interest, patents, copyrights, trademarks.

The purpose here is not to provide an all-inclusive list of possible scenarios for transferring knowledge towards commercial applications but to give you a perspective on how you can benefit from your TTO.

SU TTO has started off already with a number of success stories, which include know-how and patent licenses. In addition we received a grant from the Istanbul Development Agency to establish a platform, which will work on creating awareness and training technology transfer professionals as well as developing a curriculum base for professional education in the area. Known as ARTEV Management Platform (ARTEV being the acronym for management of Research based Intellectual Assets) we formed a consortium of 5 leading universities in Istanbul, namely Sabancı (consortium leader), Boğaziçi, İTU, Koç and Özyeğin along with LES (Licensing Executives Society) Turkey. You may follow this initiative further on www.artevplatform.org

TTO also places great emphasis on its internal collaborations within SU; primarily the European Enterprise Network and the TUSIAD Competitiveness Forum, both of which are initiatives specifically concentrating on technology transfer and innovation management and their link to economic development.

Finally we take this opportunity to introduce our current team (in alphabetical order):

Anıl Durmuş: works in IP management as a patent agent. She is also the project specialist in support of ARTEV. (phone: 9654 - email: anildurmus@sabanciuniv.edu)

Ebru Ocak: She is the senior specialist of TTO. She works in the area of strategic research partnerships and project development. She is also coordinating development of proposals to public grants for funding commercial research. (phone: 9629 - email: ebruocak@sabanciuniv.edu)

İclal Tanyol: She is the project administrator for ARTEV and also supports TTO - IP management activities with respect to marketing and publicity (Phone: 9110 - email: iclal@sabanciuniv.edu)

Ömer Hızıroğlu: He is the senior licensing executive and IP counsel. He also provides invaluable networking support through LES, Inovent and business angel groups. (email: omer.hiziroglu@inovent.com.tr)

Zeynep Birsel: She is the manager of TTO, therefore practically gets involved in every aspect of TTO mentioned above. (Phone: 9103 - email: zeynepbirsel@sabanciuniv.edu)