Researchers • Harvard ExpressPath Licenses
Engineering & Tech ExpressPath
Express Pathway for Engineering & Physical Sciences Licensing
The Engineering & Tech ExpressPath License is designed for Harvard-affiliated startups creating technologies in the physical sciences and engineering, such as instruments, quantum technologies, advanced materials, coatings, hardware, electronics, AI algorithms, robotics, energy, environmental technologies, and other physical science innovations.
This ExpressPath license, made available in consultation with the Harvard PI, is a streamlined license intended to be executed quickly, with simplified, preset terms benchmarked with investors and entrepreneurs and considered balanced, market-rate, and favorable for startups.
The right fit when:
The technology is in engineering, physical sciences, or materials and is not life science related technology.
The startup’s business model is based on product sales, hardware, materials, or platforms rather than FDA-regulated products, therapeutics, or services.
The company is organized in the United States as a C corporation or limited liability company. If a limited liability company, the license will include a fixed, non-dilutable 1% liquidation fee rather than equity.
The IP portfolio is owned or controlled by Harvard, without multi‑institution ownership.
The company can work within a simple royalty and equity structure aligned with typical engineering and hardware startups.
The company prefers to avoid the cost and time of negotiating a bespoke license.
If your situation falls outside these parameters, OTD can advise on whether a traditional negotiated license or alternative route may be more appropriate.
Terms at a Glance
- 4% equity
- antidilution protection through $2.5M raised, on-going investment right
- 2% royalty with no anti-stacking or 3% royalty with anti-stacking
- 12% sublicense revenue fee
- no maintenance fee until year 4
Financial Terms
| TERM | DETAILS |
| Equity | Choice of:
|
| Anti-dilution protection | If equity is selected above, Harvard’s equity stake is protected against dilution through the first $2.5M in outside funding raised. The 1% liquidation fee is calculated on the entire enterprise value at the time of the transaction, or in the case of an IPO, the licensee’s pre-money valuation. |
| Investment participation right | Harvard has the right — but not the obligation — to invest in a future financing round, on the same terms and conditions as other investors in that round on a pro-rata basis, as indicated below. |
| Royalty | Choice of:
|
| IP costs | Back Patent Costs deferred for 1-year, accelerated upon reaching anti-dilution threshold of $2.5M. Future patent costs as incurred. |
| Improvements | Rights to add available Improvements for 6-months with a fee of $20K per added patent |
| Sub-licensing rights | Included through multiple tiers |
| Sublicense revenue fee | 12%, without allocation |
| Maintenance fee |
|
| Milestone payments | None |
| Development Milestones | Agreed upon firm time-based development milestones for the advancement and commercialization of licensed technology. |
| Financing Milestones | $750K in equity or convertible debt securities within 6 months of license execution. Harvard retains the option to terminate the license or make it non-exclusive if the financing milestone is not achieved. |
Investment Participation Rights
The license agreement provides a pathway to expand your pool of investors. Through Harvard’s investment participation rights, Harvard or its assignee can invest up to 5% of initial financing rounds through $2.5M in cumulative funding. Beyond that funding threshold, in subsequent financing rounds the investment participation rights are limited to Harvard, or its assignee, maintaining the equity it holds through additional investment.
Interested in the Engineering & Tech ExpressPath License?
If you represent an established company interested in commercializing Harvard IP, view our available technologies here and contact OTD.