Innovation Policy Consulting

Since its inception in 1993, Larta has been a key influence in innovation policy. For our first 10 years, we helped develop and manage the California Technology Investment Partnership (CalTIP) program in the Los Angeles area; a program designed to accelerate the commercialization of emerging technologies. After the CalTIP program sunset, we began designing and implementing Commercialization Assistance Programs under contract from US federal agencies. Our 18 years of experience on a regional and national level has given us invaluable insight into the innovation assets and methods of management needed to achieve a truly successful technology-based economic development initiative.


Our Clients

Larta hosted a delegation from Malaysia for one week to educate and advise the Malaysian policymakers on commercialization and technology transfer. Their US visit included a combination of moderated roundtable sessions and site visits to carefully selected institutions to meet with practitioners and tour facilities. This was a unique opportunity for the delegation to:
  • Obtain first-hand insights from practitioners in technology transfer and commercialization;
  • Study and understand working “models” that have led to successful outcomes in technology transfer and commercialization;
  • Witness and understand how leadership and innovation in both areas is being exerted
  • at the institutional level; and
  • Expand networks of contacts and influence in the important work of technology transfer and commercialization occurring in the United States.
  • Larta has designed, developed and continues to fine-tune a Commercialization Assistance Program made available to NIH SBIR-funded Phase II companies since 2004. This program includes a Commercialization Training Workshop attended both by NIH institute managers and their SBIR-funded entrepreneurs.
    Larta designed, developed and continues to fine-tune a Commercialization Assistance Program made available to NSF SBIR-funded Phase I companies since 2009. The Larta-designed program incorporates a mix of personalized one-on-one mentoring, informative webinars and industry connections.
    Larta designed, developed and continues to fine-tune a Commercialization Assistance Program made available to USDA SBIR-funded Phase II companies since 2008. The program is designed to leverage the innovation and commercialization community to help participants reach their commercialization goals.
    Leveraging its Life Sciences Commercialization Assistance Program design experience with NIH, Larta developed a two-phase program designed to assess and assist a select number of TATRC-funded projects/technologies transition into the commercial marketplace.
    Larta Institute was selected to lead a task force on Innovation and Entrepreneurship for YAL, providing thought leadership for a YAL-led entrepreneurship initiative. Larta presented the goals of this Entrepreneurship Initiative at the YAL annual Global Action Forum in NYC. The pilot program (which represented just one component under a broad initiative) was geared toward mentorship of entrepreneurs selected from United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Jordan.
    Larta was tasked by the OECD, a multi-lateral agency involving the developed economies of the world, to assist them in developing a study that aims to understand the Intellectual Property issues and obstacles faced by small companies. Given the importance of IP to the competitiveness of emerging businesses, the data and outcomes were vital to help OECD member countries develop a greater harmonization of IP rules and regulations worldwide. The study was geared to inform the efforts of policymakers in Europe, Asia, Australasia and North America who are working together to simplify their IP filing and regulatory oversight.