2023 Licensing Survey

Research Expenditures Hit Highest Mark in 30+ Years

US Survey — Key Findings

The results of this year’s AUTM Licensing Survey findings indicate the positive trend of academic research contributing to new commercial products, with 714 products reaching the market in 2023.

The key findings of the 2023 US Survey:
  • Total research expenditures grew to $104 billion in 2023, the highest in the survey's 30-year history, marking a 13% increase from 2022.
  • Federal funding rose more than 10%, while industry support grew 4% over the prior year.
  • License income was reported at $3.6 billion, slightly down from the $3.8 billion peak in 2022.
  • The creation of startup companies for commercializing university and research institution technologies declined by 11% from 2022.
  • Technologies developed by universities and research institutions led to the launch of 714 new commercial products.
  • Over 25,000 invention disclosures were reported to institutions in 2023, contributing to a cumulative total of more than half a million disclosures.
  • Nearly 3,000 patent licenses, over 3,200 copyright licenses, and more than 1,600 other types of licenses were recorded in 2023.
US Survey — Purchase the Data
Purchase the data through the 2023 STATT Database. All purchases automatically come with the 2023 US Licensing Survey Report, which includes an appendix summarizing the data from individual institutions.  
Purchase 2023 US Data







Canadian Survey — Key Findings
This year’s AUTM Canadian Licensing Activity Survey findings show the entrepreneurial spirit within Canadian universities and research institutions remains strong!

The key findings of the 2023 Canadian Survey:

  • A considerable rise in staffing numbers compared with 2022 suggests some welcome relief for offices: licensing staff increased more than 16% in 2023.
  • Total research expenditures were up 14% for 2023 compared with 2022. Most of the increase is due to the 16% jump in industry funding, while federal funding grew 9%.
  • Startup companies created to commercialize technologies developed at universities and other research institutions increased to 134, a 26% rise over the prior year.
  • The number of new invention disclosures increased 7% in 2023. 
  • However licensing revenues declined 14% in 2023 and the number of patent licenses fell 33%.
Canadian Survey — Purchase the Report
Purchase the data through the 2023 STATT Database. All purchases automatically come with the 2023 Canadian Licensing Survey Report, which includes an appendix summarizing the data from individual institutions.  
Purchase 2023 Canadian Data
    



 

Our Latest Infographic
Discover how academic technology transfer is driving the innovation economy and benefiting society. with commercial potential. Every year university research yields discoveries.

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Customizable Infographic
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Search More Than 30 Years of Data
This year the Canadian and US reports are no longer available for separate purchase, but if you susbcribe to the STATT Database, both reports are provided free with your database subscription.

View the data online via STATT (Statistics Access for Technology Transfer), a searchable database of more than three decades of data. All members whose institutions participated in the 2023 survey receive a free subscription to STATT. Members from non-participating institutions can purchase an annual subscription of STATT for their entire organization!

STATT Database Pricing
AUTM Member Status STATT Product + License Survey Report Price
Members from contributing institutions

One-year Subscription + License Survey Report

for the entire institution

 Free
Members from non-contributing institutions

One-year Subscription + License Survey Report

for the entire institution

 $525
Non-members from non-contributing organizations

One-year Subscription + License Survey Report

for the entire organization

 $975
  

Thank You to the Survey Participants
If your institution participated in the 2023 Survey, you can receive complimentary access to the STATT Database and reports here.
Access STATT Database

Thank You to the 2023 Survey Sponsors

To learn about sponsorship and advertising opportunities in the tech transfer industry's go-to report, contact AUTM Business Development Manager, Casey Annunziata.

Questions? For questions regarding the 2023 Licensing Survey, please contact Katie Ventrice.