So how does this tech and prestige work?

[Eusebius86]

Not to insult your intelligence, but you are putting your best gentlemen in your biggest college/univesity right? Also, you are constantly selecting a technology to research right? Also, you can buy technologies for $3k to $10k a piece. I bought Square formation, grenades, and canister shot for $15k from 3 different countries. Also, on VH campaign the AI seems to get huge monetary, and probably tech, bonuses...

To trade tech here's what I did. I offered GB $10K for canister shot. Sure, it's was a lot of money, but I had the money and it gave me time to research what I wanted to. I gave Sweden $3K for Grenades. If you have money, offer it till they accept.