4. University model

Question 1

What is the mission of Universities?

Answer 1

“Academic excellence in teaching and research”
“Knowledge generation and dissemination”

Question 2

What drives universities to commercialise their research?

Answer 2

• Additional income
• New research challenges and learning experiences
• New scientific interactions
• Builds reputation

Question 3

Why do governments want universities to commercialise their research?

Answer 3

• They are drivers of innovation, wealth creation, and the economy
• There is a tangible outcome from their investment (REF)
• They support technology transfer and knowledge exchange

Question 4

What year did UK universities become owners of their IP (instead of the government)?

Answer 4

1987

Question 5

Name 8 global challenges that are key drivers of market opportunities

Answer 5

• Climate change/ global warming
• Healthcare: disease/obesity
• Politics
• Overpopulation
• Aging population
• Scarcity of natural resources
• Pollution
• Demand for a technology-enabled lifestyle

Question 6

What part of the need-capability-reward model does academia play a role in?

Answer 6

Early-stage capability via research ideas and know-how.

Question 7

What is the three-phase model for UNIVERSITY commercialisation?

Answer 7

Question 8

Explain the first stage of university commercialisation: Science

Answer 8

Research leads to scientific discoveries but without any ideas for how they can be applied. (Capability)

Question 9

Explain the second stage of university commercialisation: Technologies

Answer 9

The potential uses for new findings are explored and pieces of science are matched to relevant unmet market needs. (Need)

Question 10

Explain the third stage of university commercialisation: Products

Answer 10

Products are invented and commercialised. (Reward)

Question 11

What support mechanisms are there for universities to commercialise their research?

Answer 11

Each university has a Technology Transfer Office (TTO) or Business Partnership Unit (BPU) to guide students/academics through the process of introducing a new product/process/service and bringing it to market.

Question 12

What is the aim of a technology transfer office/business partnership unit?

Answer 12

To generate an Entrepreneurial Culture among staff and students and increase engagement with industry.

Question 13

What is the role of the technology transfer office/business partnership unit?

Answer 13

• Stimulate entrepreneurial culture
• Manage commercialisation process
• Provide sector-specific expertise and contacts

Question 14

Describe the overall commercialisation process for UoN

Answer 14

Question 15

What is a disclosure?

Answer 15

A document that explains new ideas.

Question 16

What are the three routes that an invention can go through for commercialisation?

Answer 16

• Licensing
• Spin-out company
• Rejected idea

Question 17

Define technology licensing

Answer 17

The transfer of IP rights to an external company in order to generate royalty income.

Question 18

What is the final reward of a licensing agreement?

Answer 18

Royalties after 3-5 years (££)

Question 19

Technology licensing agreements can be either _____ or _________.

Answer 19

Exclusive
Non-exclusive

Question 20

Define spin-out company formation

Answer 20

The creation of an investment backed by a new company and team to commercialise university IP and to create future value.

Question 21

What is the final reward for a spin-out company?

Answer 21

An exit event in 10+ years (£££)

Question 22

What is the process of creating a spin-out company?

Answer 22

1. Generate a concept
2. Evaluate the concept
3. Prepare the business plan and assemble a team
4. Raise funds
5. Incorporate (legal section)
6. Develop/trade
7. Exit (trade sale or flotation on the stock market)

Question 23

What are the two modes of commercialisation for universities?

Answer 23

• Market pull (Need)
• Technology push (Capability)

Question 24

Define market pull commercialisation

Answer 24

Research is done that meets a known market need, meaning that the capability is advertised to a specific audience in publications, websites, and lectures at conferences.

Question 25

Define technology push commercialisation

Answer 25

Research is completed without a specific capability but is highlighted to the university once complete. The TTO then develops a commercial case.

Question 26

What are the two ways that technology push commercialisation can be completed?

Answer 26

• Finding partners with the capability to take the idea forward.
• Forming a spin-out company to assemble a team with the necessary capability to take the idea forward.