Release date: July 8, 2025
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Sometimes a career takes shape in unexpected ways. For Stephen Crutchfield, it began with a background in film and a job making videos for the Navy. That role introduced him to the world of federal tech transfer, an area he hadn’t even heard of at the time and ultimately led to his current position as Deputy of the Technology Transfer Office at Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific.
In this episode, Stephen talks about how his start in marketing shaped the way he approaches tech transfer today. He shares how that experience still influences how he thinks about licensing, research agreements, and collaboration. We also get into the bigger picture of how tech transfer supports national security, why commercialization can be complicated in a working capital fund model, and what it really takes to connect the right people at the right time.
You’ll also hear success stories that range from software-defined radios and tactical communications to Wi-Fi antennas and even a brain supplement inspired by dolphin research. Stephen’s insight offers a behind-the-scenes look at how innovation moves from lab to real-world impact and why staying connected, curious, and collaborative makes all the difference.
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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individual speaker and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, the U.S. Government, or any affiliated organizations.
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In This Episode:
[01:42] Stephen was a film student getting his master's degree at San Diego State University. He saw a job posting for making videos for the Navy. This job was exclusively doing videos for the tech transfer office.
[02:56] He worked there with a focus on marketing.
[06:10] From 2008 to 2015, the emphasis on marketing had increased.
[10:11] He is currently the technology transfer office deputy and negotiates agreements.
[13:11] DoD is often the end customer with tech transfer.
[18:03] Addressing commercialization challenges.
[19:36] Part of the challenge is just knowing all of the products that are being worked on and connecting the right people.
[21:57] Defense contractors have independent research and development funds that can be used for any R&D purpose that aligns with the mission.
[27:13] An example of having the solutions and bringing technologies in to test and see if they do what they're supposed to do.
[28:57] Matchmaking and getting the players involved. Empowering people and letting them know that these federal tools exist.
[30:41] Stephen shares some success stories involving waveforms and radio.
[32:57] Another example using software that was able to control robot systems.
[38:54] There are always unexpected and surprising success stories and technologies.
[39:38] Broad challenges and things that give him hope are an increase in partnering with the community. Matchmaking continues to be a challenge.