On 19 and 20 January, the BioPhoT platform community participated in an intensive training course on technology commercialisation led by internationally renowned knowledge and technology transfer expert Jeff Skinner (Jeff Skinner).
The aim of the training was to improve researchers' practical skills in the stages of technology commercialisation: determining the relevance of a technology to market requirements, planning a structured commercialisation pathway, facilitating collaboration with university technology transfer offices (TTOs) and communicating confidently with potential partners and investors.
A course on creating and developing new business ideas based on research, designed and delivered by Jeff Skinner, one of the most experienced technology transfer specialists in Europe, former UK and European Knowledge Transfer Associations (Knowledge Transfer Associations) and active lecturer in academic knowledge transfer professional training throughout Europe. The content of the training programme is based on his extensive practical experience, project portfolio, research results and published data.
During the two-day programme, participants learnt how to engage more actively and purposefully with business partners and investors, and how to become commercialisers of their own technologies. Participants followed a step-by-step path from identifying the potential of a new technology to successful negotiations with investors and partners. The course focused on providing participants with practical, proven methods, models and tips that can be used immediately after the training to avoid common mistakes in the commercialisation process.
Kaija Kurme-Jansone, BioPhoT Platform Project Mentor and training participant, says: “I think Jeff Skinner is an excellent trainer and has a really deep understanding of his field. His willingness to share real examples and personal experiences in the field of technology transfer was particularly valuable and helped me to better understand the practical side of the topic. He listened attentively to participants” questions and situations, providing concrete, actionable advice, especially in terms of communication with the various stakeholders. I believe that this training was particularly relevant for scientists as it helped to shift the thinking towards the needs of the client and consumer - how to reach them, how to speak their language and why this is important from the early phases of a project. This shift in perspective provided a lot of clarity and inspiration for future work."
The training programme is delivered by ASTP - a non-profit membership organisation of university and industry knowledge and technology transfer professionals since 2000. ASTP aims to improve the impact of public research on the economy and society, provide excellent quality training and professional practice support, represent the profession internationally and promote professional networking.
The project "Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for Innovative Products" or "BioPhoT" is implemented under the long-term national research programme "Innovation Fund - Long-term Research Programme" funded by the Ministry of Economics. Project number: IVPP-EM-Innovation-2024/1-0002.
