In the period from March 27th to April 2nd, six employees within the partner institutions of the CROWN project were in a study visit to relevant institutions in the field of technology transfer in Munich.
The aim of the study visit was to exchange knowledge and best practices when it comes to the development of innovation and technology transfer. Bearing in mind that the project partners of SIMORA, IEC Tehnopolis and INTERA Technology Park are legal entities that are not part of the university, they should therefore have a different approach when it comes to the development of technology transfer. In accordance with the above, for the purposes of organizing the study visit, it was necessary to visit institutions that have a similar structure as the three above. Accordingly, the employees had the opportunity to visit and learn more about the work of the following institutions: Bayerische Patentallianz GmbH, Fraunhofer Venture, Ascenion GmbH and Max-Planck-Innovation GmbH.
During the first part of the first day of the study visit, the participants stayed at the premises of Bayerische Patentallianz GmbH (BayPAT). BayPAT is an institution founded in 2007. by several universities in Bavaria, as a central patent and marketing agency to encourage the development of technology transfer. Under the auspices of the Bavarian Research and Innovation Agency (BaiFIA), BayPat is a focal point for the development of technology transfer, intellectual property rights management and commercialization.
In the second part of the day, participants visited the Fraunhofer Venture Institute, which deals with applied research of direct benefit to private and public companies, as well as broad benefits for society. It is Europe’s largest institute for applied research and one of the world’s five largest institutes, transforming world-class technology into successful start-ups and developing innovative companies. In addition to consulting services in the initial phase of development of start-up companies and their establishment, the institute also provides them with support when it comes to finding potential investors and entering the market.
During the next three days of the study visit, the participants stayed at the premises of Ascenion GmbH, one of the most important institutions dealing with technology transfer, both in Germany and in Europe. In addition to Munich, the company has offices in five other German cities. It is an independent company for the transfer of knowledge and technology, and provides support to more than 30 European partners of various profiles, such as: research institutions, universities, university hospitals and other organizations. On average, Ascenion records 100 inventions per year and processes 60 patent applications. Ascenion also provides support to spin-off companies, on the way from establishment to market launch.
During the last day of the study visit, participants were able to visit Max-Planck-Innovation GmbH. It is a technology transfer institution under the auspices of the Max Planck Society, a leading German organization when it comes to basic research. The main activity is the creation of sustainable products that aim to contribute to economic and social life. The interdisciplinary team of the Max Planck Innovation GmbH institution provides support to scientists when it comes to evaluating their inventions, filing patents and starting companies.
The organizer of the visit was IEC Tehnopolis, while the support in the organization of the visit was provided by Nedeljko Milosavljevic, from the Center for Technology Transfer of the University of Belgrade.
The visit was organized within the project CROWN (Best Entrepreneurial Ideas for Success) which is co-financed by ERDF and IPA II funds of the European Union.
The leading partner in the project is the Development Agency of Sisak-Moslavina County SI-MO-RA d.o.o. for encouraging economic development, consulting and advocacy, Sisak, Croatia, while the project partners are IEC Tehnopolis and the Foundation for Innovation and Technological Development (INTERA), Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
