Technology transfer in nanotechnologies: IP protection, spin-offs

The third mission of Higher Education Technology and knowledge transfer is one of the process that allow the exploitation of research converting knowledge into tangible and intangible assets with a positive impact on economical, cultural and social growth of the country. Some of the tools that permit this process are the engagement with enterprise for the purpose of collaboration in product and process innovation, and the support to entrepreneurship of students and researchers. SNS is committed to this mission, also participating in the ARTES 4.0 project, for the enhancement of collaboration among research centers and enterprises into "Industry 4.0" activities, and joining the European project EELISA 2.0 aimed to encouragement and valorization of student's entrepreneurship.

The course will cover the basis of innovation exploitation in university and the path of growth and maturation of a spin-off/start up. Are awaited contributions from leading companies in the field of innovation: Primo VC, Deloitte, Hoffmann Eitle; while ARTES 4.0 and Polo Tecnologico di Navacchio will present the Tuscan and Italian innovation ecosystem.

Innovation process at University

Research that become innovation: introduction to technology and knowledge transfer, third party cooperative research, spin-off & start up, success & failure cases. The protection of intellectual property, patents and industrial secrecy, strategy in protection of innovative ideas.

Business acceleration

When innovation takes off: description of the growth path of a start-up/spin-off, introduction to the project management and business model, importance of the business plan. Financing innovation, venture capital and business angel; Pitch elevator: how to explain your innovation to possible investors.

To assess and delve into the innovation issues at the end of the course a seminar will be organized, with group activities on an innovation theme.