TIA’s Startup Support Program fosters research-fueled companies looking to commercialize breakthrough UCSB technology. UC Santa Barbara has been a hub of innovation since university startup culture was in its infancy. 4 – 6 startups form annually out of UCSB, creating hundreds of jobs in the Santa Barbara area and beyond.

How TIA Supports You

Spinning out a research-based startup at UC Santa Barbara starts here, with our Innovator LOI. This streamlined letter of intent reserves your right to option or license available UCSB technologies for up to one year at the lowest possible cost to your startup.

Your startup pays only for patent costs incurred during the first six months, and if you need more time to evaluate the opportunity, you can extend the agreement by an additional six months for a flat fee of $2,000.

Innovator Letter of Intent

UCSB Tech Startup History

UCSB has been a hub of innovation since university startup culture was in its infancy. In 1987, Dr. Virgil Elings founded Digital Instruments to commercialize critical UCSB breakthroughs in atomic force microscopy. Their success set the tone for a continuous run of disruptive startups.

Startup Success Stories

Read the details on some of the pioneering startups that have brought UCSB technology out of the lab and into the world.