Many technologies developed in Europe’s universities and research organisations don’t fail, they simply never find the right pathway to use. Not because they lack value, but because traditional licensing models cannot always connect them to the societal challenges they could address. As expectations rise for TTOs and KTOs to demonstrate impact alongside revenue, the Impact Licensing Initiative (ILI) offers a concrete, practice-oriented way to unlock this hidden potential.
Impact licensing enables universities and research organisations to deploy existing IP and data for clearly defined social or environmental purposes, while safeguarding commercial interests and institutional missions. It does not replace conventional technology transfer, it expands it.
Rather than asking “Why was this IP not licensed?”, impact licensing reframes the question to “Where could this technology still make a difference?”
The Impact Licensing Initiative provides targeted training and a practical toolkit to help TTOs/KTOs identify under-used intellectual assets, repurpose them responsibly, and structure licensing approaches that deliver measurable societal benefit.
Through short, focused online webinars (typically 12:30–13:30 CET), participants can explore topics such as:
These sessions are designed for KT and IP professionals seeking actionable, real-world approaches.
The Impact Licensing Toolkit complements the training with hands-on instruments supporting the full lifecycle, from identifying impact-ready technologies to structuring agreements and scaling implementation.
To access the toolkit as well as the training catalogue and enrol, join the ILI Community of Practice here. Training sessions start on 30 January 2026.
Join our newsletter and get the latest news