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This course will guide you through the basic processes of knowledge transfer – from receiving and evaluating an invention disclosure to pitching for investment, and negotiating deals. You will learn from experienced knowledge transfer professionals

The Knowledge Transfer Fundamentals training course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of what is knowledge transfer and how to do it effectively.

The course offers a blend of theoretical insights and practical exercises, focusing on the essential knowledge transfer skills. It covers accelerated knowledge transfer techniques, training and knowledge transfer strategies, and how to form knowledge transfer networks.

Participants will learn how to facilitate and manage the commercialisation of a product from research and development to market, including elements such as patents. Whether you are a researcher, technology manager, or business professional, this course equips you with the tools and connections needed to drive innovation and excel in this dynamic field.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the role of knowledge transfer officers and offices
  • Gain insights on patenting and patent evaluation
  • Understand licensing processes
  • Develop negotiating skills
  • Create a successful deal with a collaboration partner, spin-off, or licensee
  • Increase knowledge of setting up a spin-off company, including the financing possibilities

Course Topics

The course covers key topics such as

  • Finding and evaluating opportunities and exploitation strategies
  • Principled negotiation
  • The essentials of patenting
  • The essentials licensing
  • The essentials of spin-offs and spin-off financing
  • Knowledge transfer through research collaborations
  • Collaboration and negotiation strategies
  • Programme
  • Speakers
  • Venue

Programme

  • Wed 08 October 2025

    • 09:00 - 09:45    Course introduction

      In this opening session the Course Directors, shall outline what to expect from the days ahead and answer any queries you may have before starting out on three days of intense learning.

    • 09:45 - 10:45    The Context for Knowledge Transfer

      KT can be a complex and contradictory world. This session explores the pressures and challenges of the role and sets out the key stages of the KT process.

    • 10:45 - 11:15    Break

    • 11:15 - 12:15    Patenting: what you should know

      An introduction to the what and when of patenting academic findings and the key decisions along the way.

    • 12:15 - 13:15    Finding and evaluating technology opportunities and exploitation strategies

      Very few of the disclosures are likely to form the basis of a good patent: fewer still, maybe 1 in 10, have any commercial potential. Moreover, we simply do not have the time to simultaneously manage too many projects.

      • How then should we: scout, screen, evaluate, and rank the disclosures and opportunities we receive?
      • What exploitation scenario and strategy are most suitable?
      • How should we reject the ones that we decide not to pursue?
    • 13:15 - 14:15    Lunch

    • 14:15 - 15:15    Introduction to licensing

      This session offers a general introduction to the what, why and how of licensing and addresses some of the common matters you need to take into consideration when negotiating a licensing deal.

    • 15:15 - 15:30    Licensing exercise: presentation

      Introduction to licensing

    • 16:00 - 16:45    Licensing exercise: Case study group work

    • 16:45 - 17:30    Licensing exercise: debriefing

    • 17:30 - 17:45    Question and answer session

    • 19:00 - 22:00    Networking dinner

      Join participants from all courses, esteemed speakers, and the ASTP staff team for an unforgettable gathering over a shared meal at one of Athens' finest local restaurants. This is a unique opportunity to connect, engage, and enjoy an evening of conversation and networking in a vibrant setting.

  • Thu 09 October 2025

    • 09:00 - 10:00    Introduction to academic spin-offs

      This session will provide a basic overview of the different steps needed to create an academic spin-out, covering topics such as: bringing the right team together, valuing the technology, and writing a business plan.
      Trainer: Otomar Slama

    • 10:00 - 11:00    Basics of spin-off financing

      This session will focus in on early-stage financing of academic spin-offs covering business model development, financing stages, equity, valuation and attached rights.

      Trainer Otomar Slama

    • 11:00 - 11:30    Break

    • 11:30 - 12:45    Real life spin-off stories: KU Leuven

      Starting a business, based on an academic finding, from the KTO perspective: the dos and don’ts for a KTO in the spin-out process.

    • 12:45 - 13:45    Lunch

    • 13:45 - 14:45    Knowledge transfer through research collaborations

      More than 95% of the knowledge transfer from academia to industry takes place in your day-to-day research collaborations. In this exercise, learn more about the expectations of industry and academia when setting up a research collaboration and about the expectations of industry

    • 14:45 - 15:30    Negotiation in research collaborations - Case study

      The case study is based on a real-life situation. In this group exercise, we will explore the key issues encountered when negotiating research collaboration deals.

    • 15:30 - 16:00    Break

    • 16:00 - 17:00    Case study debriefing

    • 17:00 - 17:30    Question and answer session

  • Fri 10 October 2025

    • 09:00 - 09:45    Finding Potential Partners

      In this session we explore how to develop a value proposition and begin to identify potential partners with whom we can explore the opportunity.

    • 09:45 - 10:45    Negotiation tactics: theory and practice

      In this session we discuss the essential theory behind negotiations and some basic tools for planning and carrying out negotiations in order to make them less daunting and more effective.

    • 10:45 - 11:15    Break

    • 11:15 - 11:30    Introduction to negotiation case study

    • 11:30 - 13:00    Case study : Negotiation

    • 13:00 - 13:15    Course Summary and wrap-up

    • 13:15 - 14:15    Lunch and farewell

Speakers

Venue

Venue - AP Eva Senses

Av. da República 1, 8000-078 Faro, Portugal, Faro 8000-078, Portugal

Room Rates at AP Eva Senses Hotel
Standard City View - Single Occupancy : €155.00 per night inclusive of breakfast
Standard Marina View - Single Occupancy: €170.00 per night inclusive of breakfast

Terms and conditions
Participants must make their booking through this link 
The rates are valid for the night of 7th, 8th and 9th October 2025. Should you wish to stay longer, kindly contact the hotel directly.
The room is subject to availability.

    Other hotels
    In the event that AP Eva Senses is fully booked, please find below other hotels in the neighbourhood. Please note ASTP does not have special arrangement with these hotels.

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