Checking a startup idea

Le componenti di uno spin off accademico

Checking a new Checking a new ssttaarrttuupp idea idea

Technology transfer strategist from 2005

Lino Giusti Lino Giusti

Supported the business modeling /launch of 11 academic spin off/start up projects

Supporting patenting and licensing of unitn inventions

Managing Intellectual property /software

Fundraising for applied research and spinoff/startups

Research and Technology transfer support DivisionResearch and Technology transfer support DivisionTrento UniversityTrento University

Staff member of the Research and Technology transfer support Division

DefinitionDefinition

1.082 active spin offs in 2012

ItalyItaly

≈ 100 newborn every year

patronized by university regulations

linked with research project and public funding

researchers and universities may be shareholders

low enterprise mortality

mostly based in Northern Italy

Source: Rapporto Netval 2013

Regions Start upsLOMBARDIA 207EMILIA-ROMAGNA 120VENETO 106PIEMONTE 104LAZIO 102TOSCANA 86MARCHE 51TRENTINO-ALTO ADIGE 51FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA 47CAMPANIA 43SARDEGNA 30SICILIA 27PUGLIA 25LIGURIA 23CALABRIA 16ABRUZZO 13UMBRIA 9BASILICATA 7MOLISE 7VALLE D'AOSTA 4

ITALIA 1078

43 in Trentino43 in Trentino

18 in Trento18 in Trento

10 in Rovereto10 in Rovereto

August 2013

Start up innovativeStart up innovative

407 enterprises

3° place in EU after DE and UK

1°area oncology

Source: Rapporto Ernst Young sulle biotecnologie in Italia

Biotech enterprises in Italy, 2012Biotech enterprises in Italy, 2012

Technological innovationTechnological innovation

Research results

Phd theses

Theses

Prototypes

Software

Inventions

PatentPatent

University patent regulations

New materials, medicine, mechanics, physics, chemistry…

Involvement of enterprises as customers/competitors

Long term perspective: 10-20 years

Novelty, inventive step and industriality

Useful in negotiating with VC

CopyrightCopyright

Proprietary software licenses

Open source software licences

Copyleft software licences (GPL)

Appliable to software

Protect the form

Compatible with patenting

Compatible with trade secret

Trade secretTrade secret

Linked to people

Can be paired with patenting

Makes the separation between researchers and enterprise difficult

Enforced through confidentiality agreements

TeamTeam

Personnel devoted entirely to the enterprise

Entrepreneurial experience/education

Technical experience/education

People who can focus on enterprise’s bootstrap for 1-2 years

Network in the market sector

ResearchersResearchers

The enterprise’s bootstrap slows the academic career

Less publications

Less research projects

Potential conflict of interest

Youngs with specialistic competencesYoungs with specialistic competences

Availability to change job

Risk seeking attitude

Similar work ethic

Team spirit

Possibility to skip salary temporarely

Business planningBusiness planning

"a startup is a company that is confused "a startup is a company that is confused about: about: •what its product iswhat its product is•who its customers arewho its customers are•how to make money. how to make money. As soon as it figures out all 3 things, it As soon as it figures out all 3 things, it ceases to be a startup and then ceases to be a startup and then becomes a real business. Except most becomes a real business. Except most times, that doesn’t happen". times, that doesn’t happen".

Dave McClureDave McClure

MarketMarket

How much people spend for a similar service/product?

Is the market growing?

There’s space for a new product?

Blu or red ocean strategy?

Products and servicesProducts and services

IP Company

Open source platform & services

Proprietary hardware and software technology

Social innovation

CompetitorsCompetitors

Benchmark for product development

No competitors no market

Patent database search

CustomersCustomers

Customers are more important then products

Speak with customers as soon as possible

Developing a product without having already a client is a very risky investment

If possible involve customers in product definition through an MVP

Thanks for your attention

Lino Giustilino.giusti@unitn.it