UMCS Knowledge and Technology Transfer Center
About this good practice
CHALLENGES tackled
• boost regional competitiveness through academic-driven innovations and technology transfer
• attract corporate research support
• licence revenues to support further R&D and commercialization
• comply with national regulations in a more systemic way
• improve talent attraction and retention of university-based scientists and students
PROBLEMS addressed
• insufficient support for knowledge and technology transfer and its flow to the regional economy
• low level of R&D cooperation activities between universities and the socio-economic environment
• too few links between R&D stakeholders
SOLUTION
Knowledge and Technology Transfer Center is a one-stop shop for business partners interested in academic R&D in Maria Curie Skłodowska University.
• Supports entrepreneurs in establishing cooperation with university scientists
• Develops an individual offer of cooperation between entrepreneurs and the University
• Coordinates implementation of R&D projects in the field of energy, IT, medical, biotechnology, food, construction, fuel and other industries
• Ensures the protection of intellectual property
• Conducts processes of commercialization of research results, patents and copyrights
• Promotes innovative solutions
• Provides trainings on knowledge commercialization
Stakeholders:
• Internal – scientific employees of UMCS
• External – SMEs and corporates, startups, spin-offs and spin-outs, R&D centers, business environment organisations, administration
Resources needed
Human resources:
• 1 technology transfer manager
• 3-4 technology brokers
• 1 IP protection specialist
Evidence of success
• 21 projects received funding worth ca. 28 million EUR (125 million PLN)
• More than 350 agreements per year
• 500 agreements with expertnal entities
• Cooperation with 200 companies
• Average revenue ca. 0.45 million EUR (over 2 million PLN) per year
• Commercialization revenue – up 26% from 2019 to 2021
• 2000 experts and specialists
• 1000 technology transfer services (research, expertise, reports, laboratory analyses, innovation opinions and trainings)
• 84 UMCS patents
Potential for learning or transfer
This good practice allows for:
• Better use of the intellectual and technical potential of the University in cooperation with domestic and foreign businesses through the implementation of research and development projects financed from external sources and implementation of commissioned research, in particular at the faculties that have not yet implemented them (humanities and social sciences)
• Training for employees in the field of intellectual property protection, cooperation with the socio-economic environment, commercialization and entrepreneurship (including spin-off companies)