The latest annual review from Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI) shows good news for the research industry – among its headline figures was a 16% growth in collaborative research projects with industry and 930 new jobs in active spin-out companies reported in 2015.
According to the review, last year saw a significant rise in the level of research commercialisation coming from Irish research performing organisations, with evidence from a number of key areas including collaborative research for R&D, the licensing of novel intellectual property, and the creation of new ventures.
KTI works with business, investors, third level institutions, State research organisations, research funders and Government agencies to maximise the flow of technology, IP and ideas into companies for social and economic benefit. Based in and funded by Enterprise Ireland, it also manages the €22.8m Enterprise Ireland Technology Transfer Strengthening Initiative Funding Programme.
The annual review also includes the results of the 2015 Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey which tracks the business engagement and commercialisation activity between industry and Ireland’s State funded research performing organisations.
The annual Knowledge Transfer Ireland survey in numbers
Some of the key results were:
- €536m – The combined research expenditure of the 25 research performing organisation (RPO) surveyed
- 38 – The number of new products launched on the market as a result of a licence from a RPO, a 27% increase on last year
- 31 – The number of new spin-out companies formed
- 1,235 – The number of collaborative research programmes between industry and RPOs underway at the end of 2015
- 597 – The number of new contract services agreements signed
- 372 – The number of consultancy agreements signed
- 111 – The number of Active spin-out companies thriving at least 3 years post incorporation
- 930 – The number of jobs in active spin-out companies reported
Success stories
KTI has outlined a number of knowledge transfer success stories in the 2015 annual review, many which would not have been possible without publicly funded research. Last year, €727m was invested in the research ecosystem by the Irish government.
Powervation
Powervation is a University of Limerick spin out company that develops digital power management system-on-chip solutions sold to ROHM Semiconductor (Japan) in 2015 for US$70 million in an all cash transaction. The company was established based on research undertaken at UL’s Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering. Powervation was actively supported in its development by the Technology Transfer Office at UL. The trade sale yielded a windfall for UL which will be shared with the inventors and will enable UL to further develop the growing campus innovations ecosystem.
Intel and Trinity-Strategic Engagement
Intel and Trinity signed a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2015 which sets out how the company and the university benefit from working together. The MOU set out three areas of focus: knowledge transfer-research and innovation; talent development; and policy development. Intel has six researchers in residence working full time at Trinity who then link back to Intel.
Dynamet
This breakthrough enabling technology for rubber texting and analysis was developed by researchers in DIT Bolton Street and licensed to Bridgestone Global by DIT Hothouse, the technology transfer office at DIT. The Dynamet technology allows rubber samples to be tested whilst being stretched in two different directions simultaneously. The technology has multiple uses and DIT have plans to launch a new marketing campaign targeting companies in the medical industry.
More information
Find out more about Knowledge Transfer Ireland
Read about Enterprise Ireland’s Technology Transfer Supports here