Services and Qualifications
Research has the potential to lead to innovative ideas or products that have commercial value. Once a promising idea or product has been identified through research, there are several steps that can be taken to further develop it and potentially bring it to market.
Transferscouts of the faculty are the first point of contact for researchers who have questions concerning the protection of research results of any kind, the practical steps involved in granting use to third parties, and their commercial exploitation. Ensuring the freedom of scientific research at the University of Cologne, we help safeguard the universities' legal claims to intellectual property generated via research, and contribute to the transfer of research results for the benefit of society.
We support you along the entire process, from initial idea development to final solution implementation as your sparring partner.
Idea to Invention
During your research you often have exciting findings and eureka moments. Some times your creative mind comes up with ideas that might even tnot be directly related to your research. These could fall under idea creation stage but are not yet an invention and still farther away from being an innovation.
The WIPO defines invention as a product or a process that offers a new way of doing something, or a new technical solution to a problem.
If you think you discovered something exciting, or would like to talk about a novel idea, we will help you assess its innovative potential. Discuss these confidentially with us prior to publishing your findings. We will, within a short meeting, clarify if your findings have a chance to be an invention and therefore could be patented or you are free to further share and develop your findings with the scientific community and the public.
- The first step is to tell us why you believe your idea may be commercially interesting; we will then explore if we can collaborate with you to turn it into an opportunity attractive to industry or investors.
- It’s never too early to get in touch. Whether you have an idea that’s still germinating, research findings that have already attracted commercial interest, or would just like to find out more about research commercialisation, we are happy to have a chat.
- Once you have made contact with us we will arrange to talk confidentially with you about your idea. This conversation is the next step toward finding out how we can work together to turn your idea into an opportunity attractive to industry or investors.
- During this conversation we will explore with you:
- What your idea is and why you think it might be commercially interesting
- What particular technical, commercial or social problem your idea is solving
- What the demand is for this problem to be solved
- What sort of organisation could use your idea to become more commercially successful
- Whether your idea is similar to something that already exists, and how your idea could deliver additional benefit
- How you would like to take the idea forward
Invention to Innovation
Every invention or a novel finding may not necessarily find access to protection or be patentable. An invention must be of some practical use and must offer something new which is not part of the existing body of knowledge in the relevant technical field.
Innovation to Venture
If there is a commercial idea that we can work on together, we will ask you more about the underlying research. This is so that together we can develop an understanding of the benefits the idea may have and what sorts of organisations would value those benefits.
We will help you undertake an analysis of the commercial environment to gather information about the attractiveness of your idea’s benefits to the marketplace.
Together we will explore which specific organisations may be interested. This may include reviewing the competitive landscape and looking at potential competitors already on the market.
We will work with you to develop a commercialisation strategy that works for you, to develop your idea into an opportunity of interest to the market.
This may include: prototype development, further market assessment, developing and implementing an appropriate IP strategy, marketing the benefits of the opportunity, assisting with applications for additional ‘translational’ or early stage funding (from research councils, charities and other entities), or helping you create a spin-out company.
If you are thinking about starting your own business, we can contact you to Start-Up Coaches from the Start-Up Center of the University of Cologne who help you build a business plan
We can support you by finding the right funding for your project, and give feedback for your applications
Contact to Mentors and Partners
We are well connected and have many regional partners from industry to investors who can be Partners or Mentors, and can give valuable insights when you want do develop research towards application
Prototyping
If you want to bring your research into application, a prototype can be useful to experiment with certain features and test your product. The Start-Up Center of the University Cologne is equipped with a Makers Space and personnel to help you during the design and development
Incubators & Competitions
If you would like to develop your ideas or pitch in front of investors, there are several interesting incubators and competitions, that we are happy to advise you on
Support for non-profit
If you would like to develop an idea without a commercial focus, we can of yourse also help you find the right funding and partner
Transferscouting-FAQs
Who are the services for?
Our services are for everyone who is studying or working at the University of Cologne.
When you are wondering whether your idea or your research project could have potential for being developed into application, send us an e-Mail and we will schedule a short appointment. We are also happy to inform you about transfer opportunities in general or funding sources in the area of application.
How can the transfer scouts support me?
Transferscouts are the first point of contact for all researchers and academics seeking to transfer their research results into applications. With the team at Gateway Excellence Start-up Center of the University of Cologne, department of Research Management (Abt. 7) and in collaboration with external partners we support the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in nurturing scientific innovation into commercial and social entrepreneurial opportunities.
We are happy to support you in all aspects of transfer:
• Assistance in developing transfer projects
• Funding opportunities
• Intellectual property
• Connections to relevant industry and academic partners
When should I contact a transfer scout?
As early as possible. As transfer scouts, we are your sparring partner early-on. We help to develop initial ideas into innovative projects or assist in getting funding for high-risk projects. We also help to protect your ideas together with Abt.75 and help to achieve broad impact for your science.
In order to support you in the best possible manner, it is of importance for us to be involved as early as possible. We are always happy to have a quick chat over a coffee and get to know you and your exciting science.
How does the Gateway support spin-offs?
We provide support from the initial idea through the entire start-up process. We help with the very first evaluation and discussion of your business idea, support with exploitation options, patent application and matchmaking with network partners, and the funding phase.
We work in interdisciplinary teams to incorporate all our know-how and expertise.
