The directors of CIDAUT, TECNALIA, LEITAT, EURECAT, REDIT and CTCR, led by the director of Fedit, elaborated during the round table «From the idea to the market through the valorization of knowledge» on their methods for knowledge transfer to society and co-creation with companies, ensuring a positive societal impact
Technology transfer is recognized as the process involving the transmission, collaboration, and exchange of scientific and technological knowledge among organizations for product manufacturing, process development, or service provision. Facilitating commercial exploitation to reach a broad user base is crucial. While technology transfer stands as a primary activity for Research and Technological Development (RTD) entities, many are limited to contractual engagements for product or service development. Contrary to this, Technology Centers view technology transfer as a co-creative process, emphasizing continuous exploration of novel methods to effectively disseminate knowledge to society. Their goal is to ensure a positive impact on the business landscape, fostering competitiveness and innovation.
The CEOs of CIDAUT, CTCR, EURECAT, TECNALIA, and REDIT elaborated on various mechanisms developed by the Centers during the roundtable discussion titled “From Idea to Market through Knowledge Valorization: Alternative Strategies Enhancing Technology Transfer and Innovation.” They emphasized initiatives that transcend mere assessments based on invested work hours or product transfer to companies for exploitation.
Given that transfer models can differ based on the presence of a business ecosystem equipped to adopt such technology, or the need to create one due to the complexity of the solution, risk in implementation, or the capacities and nature of the present business fabric, the shared experiences and cases have revealed that Technology Centers exhibit innovation in technology transfer methods, aiming to enhance technology quality and significantly impact the geographical area and associated entities.
By providing their technological infrastructures to an emerging market, these Centers prompt companies to innovate by offering them access to their facilities and scientific and technological resources. Additionally, through the establishment of new innovative enterprises (spin-offs) or the creation of startup investment funds, the Centers not only cater to the technology needs of businesses but also generate technology if required. Furthermore, data on the valuation of technology produced and transferred by these Centers significantly surpasses that of other research organizations. An annual survey conducted by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities indicates that nearly 80% of income from technology licenses obtained by startups stems from Technology Centers.
The Technology Centers set themselves apart from other Research and Technological Development (RTD) entities due to their noted closeness and adeptness in producing market-driven knowledge, navigating business environments, aligning with corporate jargon and timeframes, and specifically focusing on technological infrastructures, deep- tech solutions, and reaching traditionally less innovative sectors. These distinct transfer scenarios underscore the unique strengths of Technology Centers in fostering innovation and technology transfer.
The General Directors of the Technology Centers participating in the FEDIT roundtable have enriched the discussion by sharing specific examples from their individual experiences.
- CIDAUT – Maite Fernández highlighted CIDAUT's extensive track record in establishing companies based on in-house technological advancements, involving researchers in management to nurture talent retention.
- EURECAT: – Xavier López emphasized the role of Technological Infrastructures, essential for testing solutions on a pre-industrial scale, facilitating swift access for companies, especially SMEs, to this technology.
- TECNALIA – Jesús Valero discussed Tecnalia Ventures' focus on Deep Tech Venture Building, underscoring the transformative potential of spin-offs within the Centers and the wider system, emphasizing Europe's pivotal role in the growing deeptech landscape.
- REDIT – Gonzalo Belenguer shared insights on Redit Ventures' efforts to capitalize on scientific and technological assets, emphasizing the substantial territorial impact of such initiatives, including job creation and combatting depopulation, necessitating strategic investments for global competitiveness.
- CTCR – Javier Oñate detailed CTCR's experience in technology transfer within traditional sectors like fashion, highlighting their approach of initially securing public and private funding from partner companies before moving into the transfer process.