From Lab to Market: EURECA-PRO TTOs Share Expertise for Spin-Off Success
On May 7th, representatives from the Technology Transfer Offices of EURECA-PRO universities met virtually to share their blueprints for turning ideas into impact.
- News
The discussion was facilitated by Afroditi Fotiou, EURECA-PRO member at the Technical University of Crete (TUC), who initiated the conversation with a short introduction to EURECA-PRO’s approach to Research and I&E, as well as insights from the young and dynamic TTO at TUC.
Anneke Kennens, Communication & Projects Manager in the Technology Transfer Office of Hasselt University, showcased a centralized TTO of 31 people, where legal experts, spin-off creators, and decentralised business developers work side-by-side with researchers to foster an entrepreneurial mindset. Key highlights included the “Valorisation Academy” and a powerful connection to Flanders’ regional ecosystem.
Steven Palmaers, Business Developer in the Digital Future Lab of Hasselt University, introduced Flanders Make, a strategic research centre with a human-centred approach. He tackled the classic dilemma of Tech Push vs. Market Pull strategies and concluded that the best innovation bridges both worlds. Whether reinventing cleanroom training or monitoring worker well-being, the golden rule remains: validate early and involve real users.
Karin Rehatschek, Director of the Research & Innovation Service at the Technical University of Leoben, focused on two topics. She introduced the institute and its service portfolio and presented the “TechFair” event as a best-practice example to reinforce networking between researchers and the regional ecosystem. The Technology Transfer Office of MUL counts 25 years of operation and 14 staff members. At MUL, technology transfer activities are based on long-term relationships with industrial stakeholders. With structured initiatives like “Science Fit”, which enables visits to Styrian SMEs, and “COoperation INnovation” for technology and know-how development in SMEs, small projects lead to long-term collaborations.
Highlights and Recording
All parties agreed that the human factor is an essential driver of innovation.
Whether by involving people in shaping tomorrow’s technology, fostering research on adaptive reuse, or investing in long-lasting, trustful collaborations, the societal impact of innovation makes the difference.
