Dr William R. LaFontaine Jr is a recognised leader in the areas of technology licensing, technology partnerships and IP. As general manager of IP at IBM, LaFontaine and his team work at the intersection of research, business units and clients to accelerate market introduction of new technologies including cognitive computing. He is responsible for delivering over a billion dollars in joint development, technology transfer and patent licensing annually. In his 28 years at IBM, LaFontaine has been the COO for IBM’s Research division, general manager of Global Technology Services in Middle East and Africa and GM of worldwide semiconductor and technology sales.