At TU/e we take knowledge valorization to mean, in a nutshell: the transfer of scientific knowledge to society (through the economy). By definition, our research seeks to resolve social issues. In view of this, we place great value on actively searching for application possibilities and patenting our discoveries. Technology transfer is one way to achieve these aims.
How do we work?
Depending on the type of innovation and the technology that we are developing at TU/e, we use a business case to consider how we can best commercialize the innovation. To help establish this, business developers working internally for the TU/e Innovation Lab scout out socially interesting research with market potential. This means research that the university expects can significantly impact society and trade and industry.
The way in which the technology transfer takes place depends on the outcome of the business case. The case is worked out by a business developer at the TU/e Innovation Lab and a researcher and it is essential to making the right choices. The business case states the discovery or invention, the inventor and the improvement the step forward enables: which of society’s problems does it help solve. Also stated are the market environment, the invention’s developmental phase and the amount of research and investment needed to launch the product onto the market. The business case serves as the basis for deciding whether to patent the invention and how best to commercialize it. TU/e actively approaches market parties outside the university to see whether they are interested in pursuing TU/e’s patent application themselves or in setting up another form of collaboration.
