Necessary conditions for effective technology transfer and commercialisation of intellectual property

We value Talents, Technologies and Tolerance dr. Austė Kiškienė

Sunrise Valleyauste.kiskiene@sunrisevalley.lt

Facts and figures

• 40 000 Vilnius University and Vilnius Gediminas Technical University students and faculty

• 2200 scientists and researchers,– the biggest and most diverse R&D potential in Baltic countries

• 156 ha territory in a prestigious neighborhood, 62 ha reserved for valley development

• 134 mln USD to develop the biggest and most up to date R&D centers in Lithuania in 2010-2013

• 2,4 ha break-through territory for business, 50 000 sq. m development potential

• 6300 sq. m science and technology park (opened 2008), 40 companies

Main research and development directions

• Semiconductors physics and electronics;

• Laser & light technologies;

• New materials and nano technologies;

• Engineering, environmental technologies and renewable energy;

• Life sciences;• ICT and creative industries;Centers for Physical and

technological and Life sciences under development

Hi-tech business support ecosystem

Appraisal of business

potential and support needs

Appraisal of business

potential and support needs

Advisory panels

ContractContract

Selection of projects

Business incubator

accelerator

Business incubator

accelerator

Stage 1Promotion

Sunrise Valley

Incubation Support ProgrammesIncubation Support Programmes

Science and Technology

Park

Science and Technology

Park

Global marketsAdmission

criteria

Stage 3Pre-incubation

Stage 4Incubation

Stage 5Graduation

Managed units

Owner occupied

Rented units

Starter units

Expansion units

Grow on space

Hot desks

Exit

Entrepreneurship education

R&D commercialization

Risk capital financing

Mentors

Exit criteria

Stage 2Selection

Stage 6After care

Universities R&D institutes Financial institutions Business support agencies Public authorities Other service providers

Business development

Business development

Clusters

International networks

Open access labs

Technology demonstration

From idea to global market

Real (success) stories in technology transfer

We look at technology transfer in the broadest possible sense: education, trainings and networking are the most important services in this field

Success stories :• Contract for collaborative research between Italian university and

Lithuanian laser company• Trade mark registration, patent search procedures and business

consultations for a pharmaceutical company • Establishment and guidance of spin-off companies (Giflobo, etc.)• Partnership b/w scientists and private company in developing orthopaedic

device case • Securing business angel’s investment in IT start-up (Ututi.com)

What we have learned?

• Number of start-up companies is increasing (especially in IT sector and among students)

• Demand for expert consultations, related to “down to earth daily legal and business matters” and IP protection questions is increasing

• There is a clear need for technology transfer policies and guidelines, legal frameworks

• The need for personal approach and contacts – building trust

• The need for expertise in scientific fields is increasing among start-ups and mature companies

Expectations from the perspective of a start-up company

• Pitch trainings to present to the audience of investors• Different attitude towards young innovative start-ups as regards financing (finances

should not only go to hi-tech enterprises, but also for young innovative companies – pre-seed, seed)

• Patents should not be regarded as an ultimate goal to measure potential of a start-up or spin-off company

• Expectations to be guided throughout further company development, not only at the very beginning of a company life circle (as most of them die during further development stage):• Pre incubator• Incubator• Post incubator

• Engagement of business mentors from the very early stage of a stat-up or spin-off creation would grant the success of a company

• Business should identify the demand of solutions that arise from the market and cooperate with scientist to create it in order to create successful spin-off company

Expectations from the perspective of an investor

• Better university IP marketing• More market oriented and well prepared technologies• More better prepared presentations and business

models• Good teams to perform the tasks• Clear IP ownership solutions • Technology transfer professional to help scientists,

entrepreneurs and investors talk one language • Single access point to get information

Expectations from the perspective of an IP lawyer• Legal clarity:

• university policies regarding IP management• IP ownership policies• IP disclosure procedures • Revenue sharing procedures• Publication procedures (Universities publish early and intend

to transfer IP at early stage)• Model contracts• University people trainings to be more aware of IP issues• IP portfolio creation and marketing• Competent person to advise on technologies and decide on IP

protection and foreground IP, further development / commercialization strategy

Expectations from the perspective of a technology transfer center officer• Private or in-house technology transfer center:

• officially delegated powers• definition of powers

• Clear specialization and experts• University IP management policies, as basis for future work• Model agreements, negotiation guidelines, database of contract

clauses

New approach is needed!

• Technology transfer center should take active role in IP portfolio development and marketing on international scale

• Technology transfer center should take pro-active role in spin-offs:• pre-incubator, as a new tool for managing the spin-off process

(awareness training, coaching, mentoring, networking, negotiating, prototyping, financing)

Expectations from the perspective of a scientist

• Trustworthy technology transfer officer to contact• Clearly defined ownership and publication issues• Disclosure procedures • Clear rules and procedures in cases, when academia refuses to

commercialize IP• Clear income distribution• Best practices to get some motivation• Seed/pre-seed funding• Scholarships for young entrepreneurs• Verification of technologies• Proof of concept funding• Mobility schemes to work with scientists• Professional consultations for the development of business idea

Necessary conditions

• Technology transfer policy:▫ Model contracts and policies▫ Disclosure schemes and revenue sharing schemes

• Professional help in IP management• Trainings• Single contact point for technology transfer ALSO• Seed and pre-seed capital• Mentoring and couching• Business development consultations• Entrepreneurship training

Ecosystem approach

Thank you

www.sunrisevalley.lt