Melan connects the people who discover with the people who deploy. On one side: researchers, lab directors, and universities with breakthroughs that need a path to market. On the other: corporate R&D teams, companies, and investors who need outside innovation to fill their pipeline. Government agencies and foundations sit in between, funding the research that feeds both sides. Melan works with all of them to turn discoveries into real-world impact.
Researchers, Labs, and Universities
Principal investigators and lab directors
When your research is ready for industry collaboration — to scale it, fund it, or get it deployed — Melan helps you find the right corporate partner and negotiate the deal without losing control of your research agenda. We structure sponsored research agreements, identify potential collaborators, and handle the administrative overhead so you can stay focused on the science.
- Match you with corporate partners whose R&D priorities fit your research and its stage of development
- Structure funding, IP terms, and governance that protect your publication rights and academic freedom
- Help you understand what industry funders expect, and shape proposals that attract their investment
- Manage milestones, reporting, and communication with partners
Universities and research institutions
When your tech transfer office needs more capacity than it has, Melan acts as an extension of the team — finding corporate partners for specific technologies, structuring licensing and sponsored research deals, and managing collaborations across multiple labs or departments. We work with everything from large R1 universities to schools just building out their industry partnership function, and we are built to strengthen your existing TTO, not replace it.
- Match your institution’s research strengths with corporate R&D priorities across deep-tech sectors
- Structure licensing agreements that comply with Bayh-Dole and your institutional policies
- Design funding models and milestone frameworks for industry-sponsored programs
- Help set up joint labs — multi-year collaborations with shared staff, facilities, and IP
More on partnership strategy for academic research →
Companies and Investors
Corporate R&D teams
When your internal innovation pipeline needs outside reinforcement, Melan finds the academic labs, national labs, or startups whose technology fits your strategic priorities — then structures and manages the collaboration from deal design through delivery. We work across pharma, biotech, semiconductors, aerospace, energy, materials science, and advanced manufacturing.
A typical engagement starts with scouting the external research landscape, moves into structuring the partnership, and continues with program management to keep it on track. If you are managing several external collaborations at once, we can also help optimize the whole portfolio.
- Identify and evaluate outside research groups and technologies that fit your R&D strategy
- Define IP terms, funding models, and governance before the partnership begins
- Monitor active collaborations for progress and early signs of drift
- Analyze your full partnership portfolio for gaps, overlap, and risk
See how our services support corporate R&D partnerships →
Mid-market technology companies
If you have strong product and engineering teams but no dedicated research-partnership function, Melan can act as one — scaled to what a growth-stage company actually needs, without the overhead of building it in-house. Engagements range from a short scouting sprint to an ongoing retainer.
- Provide scouting, deal structuring, and program management without adding headcount
- Identify where outside research capabilities could fill gaps in your internal R&D
- Surface and vet academic and industry partners suited to your specific needs
- Scale from a defined project to ongoing support as your partnership pipeline grows
Startups and investors
Deep-tech startups need research partnerships to build a defensible technology platform — often starting with a license from the university where the research began. Melan helps founders navigate tech transfer offices, negotiate licensing terms, and set up sponsored research that keeps the technology pipeline moving after spinout. For investors, we support due diligence on research-backed technologies and help portfolio companies build the academic partnerships that strengthen their IP position.
- Structure licensing and sponsored research agreements for university spinouts
- Evaluate research-backed technology for investment or acquisition decisions
- Build academic collaborations that extend a startup’s technology platform
- Support portfolio companies in building and managing research partnerships
Government Agencies and Foundations
Government agencies and foundations fund the research that feeds this whole pipeline. Melan helps their program officers make sure that investment leads to real deployment, not just publications.
Government agencies
Melan works with program officers and agency leadership to manage mission-aligned research programs, evaluate portfolio performance, and connect funded researchers with industry partners who can scale their work — across defense, energy, health, and advanced manufacturing.
- Evaluate funded research portfolios for gaps, duplication, and emerging opportunities
- Design frameworks that connect government-funded research with commercial partners
- Track global research activity in mission-relevant technology areas
- Track milestones and technology transfer progress across funded programs
Foundations and nonprofits
Melan helps foundations turn philanthropic capital into measurable outcomes — structuring grant programs, evaluating proposals, and connecting funded researchers with industry partners who can scale their impact. We work with foundations in health, climate, energy, and technology access.
- Design grant programs that bridge discovery and real-world deployment
- Track outcomes across a foundation’s research portfolio and flag synergies between grants
- Connect foundation-funded researchers with corporate partners for scaling
- Measure and report on the real-world impact of research investments
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “bridging research and industry” mean?
Melan works both directions: helping researchers find industry partners to fund and scale their work, and helping companies find academic partners to fill their innovation pipeline.
Do you work with independent PIs, or only universities?
Both. We work with principal investigators regardless of whether they are at a university, a national lab, an independent institute, or a standalone research group. What matters is whether the research is ready for an industry partnership — not the institutional affiliation.
How big are the organizations you typically work with?
It varies widely — from a solo PI seeking a first industry collaboration to a Fortune 500 R&D division managing dozens of external partnerships.
What industries do you cover?
Artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, climate technology, advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, robotics, semiconductors, critical minerals, aerospace, marine technology, and energy systems.
Do you work outside the United States?
Yes — with research groups and industry partners across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Engagements are managed remotely, with in-person work as needed for deal structuring or program launch.
How does an engagement start?
For researchers, we start by understanding the technology, how developed it is, and what a good industry partner looks like. For companies and investors, we start with your strategic priority and work backward to find the right research partner. Either way, it begins with a conversation.
How do I get started?
Contact us to schedule a consultation. We will talk through your situation and recommend a path forward — no predetermined package.
Ready to get started?
Whether you are a researcher looking for an industry partner or a company looking for outside innovation, Melan builds the partnerships that move discovery from lab to market.
