Technology Transfer Pathways
The Technology Transfer section focuses on transferring technologies from research to market through three distinct pathways: Service Provision, Licensing, and Spinning Off. These subsystems incorporate elements from assessment, preparation, execution, and validation to ensure a comprehensive approach to commercialization.
Service provision
Service Provision regards technology transfer as a service offered to external partners, providing expertise, support, and resources to facilitate commercialization. This subsystem ensures partners receive comprehensive assistance, from initial assessment to post-transfer validation.
| Service Provision |
| Component |
Purpose |
Relevant Tools |
Description |
Way |
When |
|
Service Definition
|
Define the scope of technology transfer services
|
Service Blueprint
|
A tool to map out service processes, deliverables, and client interactions
|
Create a blueprint outlining service components and deliverables
|
Early in the transfer process, during planning
|
Client Engagement
|
Build relationships with clients seeking services
|
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software
|
Tools to manage client interactions, needs, and feedback
|
Use CRM to track communications and align with client requirements
|
During partner engagement and negotiations
|
Service Delivery
|
Deliver technology transfer services effectively
|
Project management software
|
Tools to manage delivery timelines, milestones, and post-transfer support
|
Implement delivery using project management frameworks, monitor KPIs
|
During and after transfer execution
|
Performance Monitoring
|
Track the success of the transferred technology
|
Balanced Scorecard
|
Metrics to measure commercialization outcomes, such as revenue or adoption rates
|
Define and track KPIs to assess impact and gather feedback
|
Post-transfer, during validation
Licensing
Licensing in the context of technology transfer is the process by which the owner of intellectual property (IP), typically a university or research institute grants permission to another party, usually a business or start-up, to use, develop, or commercialize a technology, invention, or innovation under agreed terms and conditions.
A license is a legal agreement that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both the licensor (the IP owner) and the licensee (the entity seeking to use the IP). This agreement defines the scope of the license (e.g. exclusive or non-exclusive), the geographical territory, the duration, the financial terms (such as royalties or milestone payments), and performance obligations.
Licensing allows research institutions to transfer their innovations to the private sector, enabling the development of new products and services. For companies, licensing provides access to cutting-edge technologies without the need to invest in early-stage R&D.
Licensing has three phases.
Assessment
The Assessment phase evaluates the technology’s potential for transfer by examining its technical maturity, market viability, and intellectual property (IP) status. This phase ensures that only technologies with strong commercialization prospects proceed.
| Assessment |
| Component |
Purpose |
Relevant Tools |
Description |
Way |
When |
|
Technical Assessment
|
Evaluate the technology’s maturity and capabilities
|
TRL Framework
|
A 1-9 scale measuring technology readiness
|
Map the technology to TRL levels using standard criteria
|
At the start of the assessment phase
|
Market Assessment
|
Analyze market potential and demand
|
Market Research Tools
- Surveys
- Market reports
- Technology trend reports
- Interviews with lead users/customers
|
Tools for gathering data on market trends, customer needs, and competition
|
Conduct surveys, analyze industry reports, and assess competitive landscape
|
During initial evaluation
|
IP Assessment
|
Determine the technology’s IP status and protection needs
|
Patent Search Databases
|
Tools for analyzing existing patents and IP risks
|
Use databases to conduct patent landscaping and freedom-to-operate analysis
|
Before preparing for transfer
|
European Commission IP Helpdesk
|
Benefit from free EU Helpdesk assistance
|
IP Helpdesk Helpline
|
Expert tool for first line support on IP matters
|
Register for free, send IP questions and receive tailored response
|
At the start of the assessment phase
Preparation
The Preparation phase in technology transfer focuses on making an innovation market-ready by securing intellectual property rights, packaging the technology, and developing a targeted marketing strategy. Securing IP protection, through patents, copyrights, or trade secrets, not only protects the innovation but also enhances its commercial value. At the same time, the technology is documented, refined, and, where possible, demonstrated through prototypes or proof-of-concept results to validate its potential. This is complemented by a marketing strategy that identifies suitable industry partners, highlights the technology’s value proposition, and creates compelling materials to attract interest. Together, these actions ensure technology is legally protected, clearly communicated, and positioned for successful engagement with potential partners or licensees.
| Preparation |
| Component |
Purpose |
Relevant Tools |
Description |
Way |
When |
|
IP Protection
|
Secure intellectual property rights
|
EU IP Helpdesk
|
Steps and guidelines for IP protections
|
Work with IP attorneys to file patents or trademarks
|
After assessment, before marketing
|
Marketing Strategy
|
Plan how to promote the technology to target audiences
|
|
A framework to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
|
Conduct a SWOT analysis to inform go-to-market strategy
|
When preparing to market the technology
|
Partner Identification
|
Find suitable licensees or collaborators
|
- Partner Databases
- Events and fairs
|
Databases or networks of potential industry partners
|
Search and filter potential partners based on strategic fit
|
When ready to transfer the technology
|
Technology Packaging
|
Prepare the technology for presentation to potential partners
|
- Prototyping Tools
- Minimum Viable Patent
- Demo
|
Tools and methods to create demos, models, or documentation
|
Develop functional prototypes or detailed technical documentation
|
Before engaging with potential partners
Execution
The Execution Phase of licensing focuses on putting commercialization into action by identifying suitable partners, conducting due diligence, negotiating key terms, and finalizing formal agreements. This stage ensures that the technology is transferred under clear, favorable conditions that align with both parties' goals. Key activities include selecting qualified licensees or collaborators, defining the scope and type of license, establishing financial and performance terms, and enabling technology handover through documentation, training, and support. Ultimately, the Execution Phase lays the foundation for successful market entry and long-term value creation.
| Execution |
| Component |
Purpose |
Relevant Tools |
Description |
Way |
When |
|
Due Diligence & Confidentiality
|
- Verify the suitability and reliability of potential licensees or buyers
- Protect sensitive information during licensing discussions
|
|
- A structured list to assess partner financial stability and technical capability
- A standard agreement to safeguard proprietary data shared with potential licensees
|
- Conduct reviews of data
- Draft and sign NDAs with potential partners
|
- During partner evaluation, before finalizing agreements
- Before sharing sensitive information, at the start of discussions
|
Negotiations
|
- Define the scope and type of License
- Agree on licensing or sale terms
|
WIPO Negotiating Technology License Agreements manual
|
Strategies for effective negotiation
|
Use frameworks to structure discussions and reach beneficial terms
|
During licensing or sale discussions
|
Licensing Agreements
|
Define terms for technology use or sale
|
IP License Agreements – EC IP Helpdesk
|
Comprehensive fact sheet outlining different forms of commercial license agreements and terms
|
Use as a guide to develop specific agreement according to technology and partner needs, and in consultation with law professionals
|
During agreement negotiations
Spin-off
A spin-off is a new company created to commercialize research results and bring them to market. This path is typically recommended when the innovation demonstrates strong market potential and a clear competitive edge.
Developing a successful spin-off involves feasibility assessments, business planning, and structured launch strategies to ensure long-term viability. Critical elements to be addressed include intellectual property ownership, founder equity distribution, and licensing agreements with the parent institution (i.e. research infrastructure, university or other research performing organization). Launch strategies often involve securing seed funding, building strategic partnerships, and defining a go-to-market approach.
| Spin-off |
| Component |
Purpose |
Relevant Tools |
Description |
Way |
When |
|
Feasibility
|
Assess the viability of forming a spin-off
|
Feasibility Study
|
A tool to evaluate market, financial, and operational feasibility
|
Conduct a feasibility study to justify spin-off creation
|
Early in the spin-off planning phase, before forming a company
|
Business Model Development
|
Define the spin-off’s business structure
|
Business Model Canvas
|
- A framework to outline value proposition, revenue streams, and operations
- Used to communicate business goals and execution plans with stakeholders.
|
Use the canvas to design the spin-off’s business model, including market strategy.
It’s a living document that needs to be evaluated regularly
|
During business planning, firstly before business formation and then regularly reviewed and updated
|
Business Plan
|
- Develop a comprehensive plan for spin-off
- Outline the operational structure
|
Business Plan
|
A document integrating market strategy, financial projections, and operational plans to guide spin-off success
|
Compile a business plan using templates, incorporating market analysis, marketing plan, financial projections, go-to-market strategy and operational strategies
|
During planning, before execution and funding rounds
|
Financial Projections
|
- Estimate costs, revenues, and funding needs to help plan and develop investment strategies
- Help evaluate commercial potential
- Help decision making process
|
- P&L (profit &loss) template
- Cash flow forecast
- Net Present Value
|
Tools to create financial forecasts and budgets for the spin-off
|
Build financial models to project profitability and secure funding
|
During planning, before launch
|
Company Creation
|
Plan the launch and growth of the spin-off
|
.
|
A timeline of milestones for establishing and scaling the company
|
Draft a roadmap with key steps, timelines, and operational plans and funding needs
|
Before and revised during spin-off execution
