The EPFL's Head of Valorisation plays the role of interface between research and private industry. Anticipating the needs of the economic environment, it takes many initiatives, forging close links with entrepreneurs and industrialists. Its aim is to create and strengthen significant corporate relationships. RANGE OF ACTIVITIES Today, structures at EPFL active in developing and supporting the Institute’s relations with industry and economy work at several levels: sponsored research (European programs, National Science Funds, Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI) projects with outside companies), management of intellectual property, strategic alliances with important industrial groups, identification of innovations with high potential, licensing and equity ownership. These activities are seconded by a solid education in entrepreneurship and technology management.
The Industrial Relations Office (SRI) advises EPFL research groups as well as companies in the negotiations and the drafting of partnership agreements, research contracts, and other research conventions. It is also responsible for technology transfer by licensing Intellectual Property of EPFL (mainly patents, software, and specific knowledge). The SRI also settles and follows interactions between EPFL, start-ups and incubators.
The 6 licensing officers at SRI have over 10 years of professional experience in this field. In 2003, the EPFL made 55 announcements of inventions and new software, applied for 71 patents and received 33. The SRI handled nearly 200 research contracts that encompassed a total of 38 million Swiss francs, a 13% increase over the prior year. Between 1990 and 2003, it also contributed to the establishment of 104 start-up companies, generating hundreds of new high-tech job positions in the BioAlps region.
Incubator and science park (PSE) : Another sign that innovation goes hand in hand with entrepreneurship at EPFL is the frequent creation of start-ups by EPFL graduates, researchers and faculty members. This is perhaps due to the fact that EPFL implements an active policy to support young entrepreneurs by offering priority licensing of EPFL intellectual property to the inventor if he/she should decide to create a start-up company based on this innovative technology. In addition, EPFL actively participated in and made possible the creation near campus, in 1991, of the Scientific Park (PSE) for start-ups and research groups of established companies, as well as the Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT) created in 1994, whose goal is to financially support the early stages of start-up development.
A further initiative at EPFL provides education and tools in the field of management of technology. |