ntnu 1 what expectations do the faculty have towards ntnu’s new role as owner of intellectual...
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1NTNU
What expectations do the faculty have towards NTNU’s new role as
owner of intellectual property rights?Egil S. Eide
NTNU - Department of Telecommunications
• The University’s role
• Motivation
• Education
• Practical support for startup companies
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Background
?
UniversityResearch
Product development
Business development
Positive cash flowIdea!
StartupCompany
Investment
Hard workResearcher
Team
Investors
History Commitment & Contribution
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Main principle: University ownership requires the University to invest money and commitment into commercialization (including taking risk).
Important:
• Take care of the entrepreneur’s interests and motivation!
• Avoid bureaucracy! (Keep number of staff at
Technology Transfer Office to a minimum!)
The University’s role
Administrators or co-entrepreneurs?
Money-makers or educators?
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The University’s role
Basic needs for a new business startup?
• Money• IPR protection• Network• People with commitment and
willingness to take personal risk
The new company needs seed capital more than a lot of consultants.
University administrators are not necessarily the right persons to provide commitment and personal risk during a
business startup phase.
Administrators or co-entrepreneurs?
Money-makers or educators?
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The University’s role
• Supporting partners
• Dedicated funding for business startups (seed capital)
• Do not let the “experts” do all the jobs for the entrepreneur
• Motivate the entrepreneurs to work themselves through the different phases of a business startup
• Allow the entrepreneurs to choose strategic partners independently of existing university strategic partnerships
• External industry network is more important than internal
network
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MotivationIncentives:
• Give economical credit to research groups/departments who create spin-offs [budget model]
• Motivate faculty and students to become entrepreneurs
• Allow part time positions for faculties during business startup
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Education
• Teach students about IPR/patenting and
commercialization
• Provide classes for new entrepreneurs [Venture Cup]
• Develop Gründerskolen into MBA program [University of
Oslo]Education and mentoring should be given freely and independently from the University’s investment/licencing activity.
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University contributions for startup companies
Practical contributions (1st year):
• Free office on campus the first year
• Laboratory access + low-cost instrument lease
• Mail delivery service + internet access + telephone
• Continue supporting research in the same research area
• Encourage student projects in collaboration with the startup company
• Allow use of the University’s purchasing department