NUtech Ventures, the nonprofit technology commercialization affiliate of the University of Nebraska, has launched the NUexpress License, available to University of Nebraska–Lincoln researchers.
The fast, transparent and startup-friendly licensing helps inventors move more quickly from the lab to the marketplace.
“It comes with non-negotiable terms, offered only to faculty, staff and graduate students from UNL who have invented the technology,” said Jeewan Jyot, director of licensing for NUtech. “The terms are startup friendly and vetted by various stakeholders in the community.”
The new license is modeled after national standards and reduces the time and complexity of traditional licensing negotiations that can slow down the startup process. By making commercialization more accessible, especially for first-time founders, NUexpress will help grow Nebraska’s economy.
“NUexpress makes it easier for researchers to launch startups — with a clear pathway, supportive licensing, and a focus on momentum,” said Cheryl Horst, NUtech’s interim executive director.
The NUexpress License also levels the field for eligible startups and allows more time and resources to go to innovation, rather than lengthy negotiations and financial hurdles.
“By removing upfront costs and deferring patent expenses, NUexpress allows founders to invest more in growth from day one,” Jyot said. “It’s about giving startups the runway they need to succeed while ensuring university intellectual property is put to work for the public good.”
What’s in the NUExpress License?
- Exclusive license with the right to sublicense.
- No upfront license fee.
- Choice of Equity or Success Fee:
- Equity Option: 5% equity with anti-dilution protection up to $2 million in outside investment.
- Success Fee Option: 1% of the company’s exit value (acquisition or IPO).
- Royalty on net sales: 2% beginning in year 4, first payment due in year 5.
- Annual minimum royalty: $5,000 per year, first payment due in year 5.
- Patent cost reimbursement: Patent costs will be deferred for 4 years (capped at $75,000). Beginning in year five, the startup will be responsible for ongoing costs and repayment of deferred costs. One-third of the deferred costs will be paid in each of years five, six and seven. The startup will be responsible for international filing costs beginning at the national phase.
- Sublicense payments (non-royalty based): 15%.
- Diligence milestones: I-Corps participation may be required, and additional milestones will be defined based on the startup’s business plan and will be adaptable based on the startup’s strategic direction.
More information, including how to get started, can be found online. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Jyot at jjyot@nutechventures.org.
