Research Landscape & Funding

Gearoid MooneyDirector ICT Commercialisation

Enterprise Ireland

Gearoid.Mooney@Enterprise-Ireland.com087 7544955

R & D for Enterprise, Innovation and GrowthState investment in third level research ~ 5Bn by 2013Commercialisation

http://www.forfas.ie/media/asc060618_sti_strategy.pdf

The Basis For Research Funding

EUFP6, FP7

Dept. Enterprise Trade & Employment

EI IDA SFI

Irish Industry (EI Clients, IDA Client & Others)

Research Establishments

Dept. Finance

CASH

VALUE

TA X ES

The Economic Model

Mechanisms by which research is commercialised

Primary Mechanisms

Transfer of skilled people (Employment)

Transfer of Knowledge (Licence)

New companies (Spin-out)

Spinouts Generated per Year

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

(e)

Year

No. o

f Spi

nout

s

Table illustrates the increasing rate of spinout company creation. The 2009 figure is estimated with 14 generated to date.

Spinout Values

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

< 5 Years Old 5 - 10 Years Old 11 - 15 Years Old 16 - 20 Years Old

Company Age

Valu

e €m Exports (2008) (€m)

Turnover (2008) (€m)

This table displays the export and turnover values achieved by spinout companies in 2008 by the year of the companies’ establishment. This graph illustrates the inherent time delays in these high technology firms achieving financial success.

So what makes a difference?More commercial opportunityMore technologyMore expertiseMore experienceMore peopleBetter means to connect them:

at the right time and with the best blend

Two case studies.

Case 1Lacks commercial expertiseRelatively strong technologyTakes two years to license technology & get the company formed.Relatively poor business plan. Still Looking for fundingWorks on this during summer monthsHas issued sub-licenses, which generate zero revenueHas no employees

Case 230 years commercial experienceRelatively weak technologyTakes three months to build a concept, & decide how to move it to market.Has business plan suitable for investment in 6 monthsGets 1.5M investmentEmploys 8 peopleCustomers fly their R&D teams to Ireland to see his product.

Current Enterprise Ireland commercialisation funding

Commercialisation Fund1. Proof of Concept2. Technology Development3. Commercialisation +(for colleges only – commercialisation by wayof licensing or creating spin-out company)

Innovation VouchersInnovation Partnerships

ILRPCompetence Centres

(for Industry only)

Res

earc

h C

omm

unity Industry / Market

Commercial & Technical

Deliverables

Industry lead Research and collaboration

Competence Centres(~€1 million+ per annum over 5 years)

Industry Lead Research projects(~€1.5 million over 2-3 years)

Innovation Partnerships(~€200k over 18 months)

Innovation Vouchers(Once off payment of €5K) Size of

budgetNumber ofInd. Partners

CollaborationComplexityWhat Industry wants

Business Partners Scheme

Why Business Partners?Historical perspectiveNeed to have scalable approach for current & future business needsPast experience

Commercial Expertise & CashJoined up thinking

Primary Objectives.Build new companies providing sustainable economic growth from previous state investment in academic research, with strong commercial leadership.Facilitate access to researchSupport entrepreneurs looking at new opportunities Build interaction with the Business CommunityCulminates in a HPSU Application & Business Plan

http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/StartBusiness/What+is+a+HPSU/BusinessPlan.htm

So where to from here?

We know Commercialisation of research is paramount without it the economic system will cease to functionThere is scope for improvement in exploitationSupport structures are in place

We need All researchers to have commercialisation high of their agendaWork with your TTO offices – they are there to support youInterested entrepreneursCall me or my colleagues in EI if you want help to commercialiseresearch

Thank you !