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Resolve: seed funding and boosting health technologies
Published on 31 August 2018
Portugal
Norte
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
In the last decade, Portugal invested significantly in R&D, which was followed by complementary measures in the areas of technology transfer and entrepreneurship. As a result, progress metrics such as the number of PhDs, patents and new technology based companies registered significant improvements. However, according to the Innovation Barometer COTEC 2014, the final results fell short of the expectations, as measured by economic impact and innovation. The missing link in this inconsistency, also known as the ""valley of death"", relates to obstacles in the transition from an existing or emerging technology to the creation of a compelling new market-driven business. The Program’s vision is to overcome these obstacles, supporting the progress of knowledge from the laboratory bench to the point where it provides the basis of a commercially successful business.
RESOLVE briefly consists of these actions:
- Select seed and technology-based projects in the health sector of the North of Portugal;
- Provide the selected projects with targeted support, maximizing their consolidation and commercial potential, namely through: End-users Forums, Validation of Prototypes and Proofs-of-Concept, Fast Track for Clinical Studies, Meeting with Investors, among others.
The main stakeholders are University, research labs and companies and the main beneficiaries are projects and start-ups in the health sector.
RESOLVE briefly consists of these actions:
- Select seed and technology-based projects in the health sector of the North of Portugal;
- Provide the selected projects with targeted support, maximizing their consolidation and commercial potential, namely through: End-users Forums, Validation of Prototypes and Proofs-of-Concept, Fast Track for Clinical Studies, Meeting with Investors, among others.
The main stakeholders are University, research labs and companies and the main beneficiaries are projects and start-ups in the health sector.
Expert opinion
RESOLVE is a programme supporting start-ups and spinoffs in the health sector to reach the commercialisation phase faster. In the phase between applied research and commercialisation, start-ups face the valley of death, a period when firms have a high probability of dying off. The RESOLVE programme provides support and management tools—toolbox to overcome frequent barriers, calls to select innovative start-ups, mentoring from MBA students, financial support tools (proofs-of-concept, prototyping…), open innovation platforms, meeting with investors, end-users forum, and fast-track to clinical studies—with the ambition to accelerate the commercialisation process. The program offers a possible path forward to support start-ups in moving-up their Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) from 3-4 to 8, that is, from applied research and prototyping to commercialisation.
Suggestions for potential Good Practice transfer:
-In 2017, the Norte Portugal region ranked as a Moderate Innovator in the Regional Innovation Scoreboard. Regions with similar institutional contexts facing similar challenges as Norte Portugal could learn from the experience of the RESOLVE program.
-Regions ranking as Moderate Innovators that have substantially invested in R&D, basic research, and technology transfer could benefit from learning from the Good Practice.
Suggestions for potential Good Practice transfer:
-In 2017, the Norte Portugal region ranked as a Moderate Innovator in the Regional Innovation Scoreboard. Regions with similar institutional contexts facing similar challenges as Norte Portugal could learn from the experience of the RESOLVE program.
-Regions ranking as Moderate Innovators that have substantially invested in R&D, basic research, and technology transfer could benefit from learning from the Good Practice.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
The amount of financial resources depends on the number of projects to be supported and after their implementation the need decreases. A 700k fund for 2 years for the project’s execution.
But roughly, there’s 1 to 2,5 full-time people (to support max. 8 projects at the same time).
But roughly, there’s 1 to 2,5 full-time people (to support max. 8 projects at the same time).
Evidence of success
So far, within only 2 years, there’s several successful hallmarks:
16 projects were raised and supported;
3 spin offs have been concluded;
7 new patents were successfully inscribed within Resolve's projects.
16 projects were raised and supported;
3 spin offs have been concluded;
7 new patents were successfully inscribed within Resolve's projects.
Potential for learning or transfer
This program was basically implemented considering the existing gaps on the innovation and entrepreneurship system, on an health focused international level.
The problems you can find on this context are common on other european countries’ background and therefore possible to be transferred as potential solutions. Some of them are: funds for proof concepts and legislative support, and these are common needs to others sectors, besides just health.
The call for projects might be interesting for other regions because it is a new and innovative supporting instrument for start-ups and projects. The fact that the applicants develop their projects with the guidance and support of MBAs and investors ensures a high level of quality of the business plans and therefore of the participating start-ups.
The problems you can find on this context are common on other european countries’ background and therefore possible to be transferred as potential solutions. Some of them are: funds for proof concepts and legislative support, and these are common needs to others sectors, besides just health.
The call for projects might be interesting for other regions because it is a new and innovative supporting instrument for start-ups and projects. The fact that the applicants develop their projects with the guidance and support of MBAs and investors ensures a high level of quality of the business plans and therefore of the participating start-ups.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto
Portugal
Norte
Contact
Project Manager