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The official presentation of the ASTP’s White Paper endorsed by NAAC, “Catalysing Change: Exploring trends and strategies to enhance the spin-off process in Europe”, took place during ASTP’s Thematic Event, Making the Team Work: Focus on Spin-offs, on Friday, 25 October 2024, at 10:45 am.
Context
Spin-offs and start-ups are essential to Europe’s innovation ecosystem, enhancing long-term competitiveness and regional development. Research institutes play a key role in supporting these ventures, but effective frameworks are underutilised. ASTP urges governments and research leaders to invest in robust support systems and adopt best practices tailored to local contexts.
Key recommendations
The National Associations Advisory Committee (NAAC) conducted a survey to assess policies and support for spin-offs, revealing a consensus on key best practices aligned with established guidelines. Recommendations for research institutes include adequately resourcing knowledge transfer processes, developing clear KT/TT policies, committing personnel and resources to support spin-offs, and establishing transparent guidelines for intellectual property (IP) accessibility. Specific IP recommendations suggest licensing rather than assigning IP early in development, retaining educational use rights, imposing use obligations, and considering equity as compensation for licensing terms. The report also advocates for targeted funding, such as grants and seed investments, to help translate innovative research into successful spin-offs.
Conclusion
Establishing clear, transparent, and supportive framework for the spin-off and start-up processes within research institutes is essential to fostering innovation across Europe. The recommendations put forward by ASTP and endorsed by NAAC are designed to enhance support systems and structures, ultimately bolstering resilience and competitiveness throughout the continent.