Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sharp Technology Ventures?
Sharp Technology Ventures generates business development opportunities -- including joint development, licensing and start-ups -- that will bring innovative technologies to market. Its mission is to bring to market new technologies that have practical, market application, through partnerships with new and existing companies.  

Is Sharp Technology Ventures part of Sharp Laboratories of America, or Sharp Corporation?
Sharp Technology Ventures' parent company is Sharp Corporation, a $20 billion per year global electronics company headquartered in Osaka, Japan. Sharp Technology Ventures is organized within Sharp Laboratories of America and resides at its headquarters.

Why was Sharp Technology Ventures created?
While nearly all technologies being developed at Sharp Laboratories of America contribute to Sharp Corporation's one-of-a-kind product strategy, some technologies developed at the Lab have implications beyond Sharp Corporation's products or are appropriate for products or markets that fall outside Sharp's business strategy. To leverage such opportunities, Sharp Labs created Sharp Technology Ventures that would focus on business development of intellectual property developed at the Lab or with other entities.

Where is Sharp Technology Ventures located?
Sharp Technology Ventures is located at 5750 N.W. Pacific Rim Blvd., in Camas, Washington. Our headquarters are on the same campus as Sharp Laboratories of America.

Who is in charge of Sharp Technology Ventures?
Jon Clemens, Ph.D. is the leader of Sharp Technology Ventures. He created the organization to commercialize innovations and technologies developed at Sharp Laboratories of America. Dr. Clemens served as president and chief executive officer at Sharp Labs from the organization's founding until his retirement in 2003.

Prior to his leadership at Sharp Technology Ventures and Sharp Labs, Dr. Clemens held executive positions with other premier research organizations including Sarnoff Corporation, SRI International, and RCA.

Additional support for Sharp Technology Ventures comes from the researchers and staff at Sharp Labs, who bring with them more than 286 patents for technologies and processes.  

Does Sharp Technology Ventures develop its own intellectual property?
Technologies and intellectual property offered through Sharp Technology Ventures are developed by the technical and scientific experts in one of the premier research and development laboratories in the United States - Sharp Laboratories of America. These technologies are backed by the brand strength and technical expertise from Sharp Technology Ventures' parent company, Sharp Corporation, and by the reputation of Sharp Labs for its applied research that is designed into real products currently in demand.

Who are Sharp Technology Ventures' partners?
Sharp Technology Ventures works with any organization that is looking to develop or improve next-generation products or technologies, or to create a new company around an innovative technology we have developed. Some of our partners include OEMs, software and hardware technology companies, government agencies, venture firms, and others.

What kinds of partnerships does Sharp Technology Ventures pursue?
Sharp Technology Ventures seeks partners who are interested in opportunities to acquire intellectual property, license existing products or technologies, jointly develop technology, or launch a new technology intensive business.

How can I work with Sharp Technology Ventures?
Working with us can take a number of forms. Sharp Technology Ventures will develop new products or technologies based on current Sharp patents, license existing intellectual property, help to create new business opportunities for technologies or form brand new companies to capitalize on the innovations from Sharp Technology Ventures. Please contact us to discuss how to engage in these partnerships.

At what stage of the development process should I contact Sharp Technology Ventures?
With numerous patents and technology packages available for business development opportunities, Sharp Technology Ventures may have the exact intellectual property to fit your business challenge. Therefore, after reviewing our available I.P., it is best to contact us as early in your development process as possible, so we can ensure a seamless and cost-effective technology transfer.

What intellectual property is offered through Sharp Technology Ventures?
Current available I.P. from Sharp Technology Ventures falls into the general categories of materials processing, image processing, wireless and networking, document handling and presentation, and information handling and presentation. Sharp Technology Ventures also offers business development opportunities for hundreds of patents.

What benefits do I receive from partnering with Sharp Technology Ventures?
With our rich history and deep roots within Sharp Corporation and Sharp Laboratories of America, our partners are assured that the technologies they're interested in are unique, proven and tested, and will help them take products or businesses to the next level. Our years of expertise in applied research and product development means shorter time to market, reduced development and design costs, and a leg up on the competition.

How long does it take to see results from my partnership with Sharp Technology Ventures?
The typical development cycle with Sharp Technology Ventures ranges from company to company and technology to technology. However, we provide extensive support - technical, business strategy and integration - to each of our partners from day one.

How do I find out more about the technologies available for business development from Sharp Technology Ventures?
We invite you to browse our current technology packages or available intellectual property to see if we fit your needs. You may also browse our patents. For more detailed information about anything you see on our Web site, or to discuss how to engage in a partnership with us, please contact us.