NASA offers helping hand to start-ups

NASA has offered to license more than 1,200 patents to start-up companies.

The patents cover sensors, aeronautic technologies and instrumentation.

Start-ups will be able to license the patents without initially paying a fee under the “Startup NASA” initiative. NASA announced the scheme on October 7.

But companies have to demonstrate that they have an intention to commercialise the patents. NASA will receive a standard royalty rate from any related products sold.

Potential licensees can apply on NASA’s website to join the scheme.

NASA said the initiative is intended to tackle one of the biggest issues facing start-ups: obtaining intellectual property rights.

“The start-up NASA initiative leverages the results of our cutting-edge research and development so entrepreneurs can take that research—and some risks—to create new products and new services,” said David Miller, NASA’s chief technologist.